An actual male here =) Low sperm count

[jchris11]

I'll keep this as brief and to the point as possible.

Myself: 36yo/in shape/very sad

Wife: 30yo/also in shape/even more sad(6th grade teacher)

I have a low sperm count. Approx 5mil after a washing.

They still did a IUI(with my low sperm count) w/no success(twice).

She's gone through all the tests and has come out with flying colors. Yay!

Since we are now considering the IVF route(ICSI)do the studies show a higher IVF success rate w/a couple having low sperm count versus another couple using IVF with a woman with known issues?
I would think because my wifes tests results were so good and my having a low sperm count that the IVF would have more success on us?


Thank you all ahead of time for your input!!

John

[CT_Michele]

Always nice to see a guy around...we have a few here and there

If you go to the SART website, you can look at success rates by diagnosis, and choose male factor only. You will then see that the percentage of successes are a couple of points higher than female factor, or both. But it is still right around the 40% success rate.

Your wife has age on her side though. Age of the eggs is the biggest factor in reducing success (over 35 the success rates start to decrease). And it helps that she is reproductively healthy.

My husband and I are in the same boat. No issues with me, extremely low sperm count and motility for him. He actually has had sperm surgically extracted twice because there is none in the ejaculate. Our first ivf cycle (with icsi) was successful and we had a baby girl. We are now trying for number 2, and just had a failed fresh cycle, and are about to go for a frozen transfer. We thought for sure that we had everything going for us, it worked the first try, male factor only, I am young, but still...it didn't work for us. Not trying to be a downer, but really, you can never know. But the more you have going for you, I would say the better your chances. Good luck!

[jennywit]

jchris- I too-like Michele had male factor only. It did work the 1st time but we did have to use tese-where they surgically removed sperm from my husbands testes- and then injected them into my eggs. Be sure that that is what your doctor plans to do. In other words, if your wife has 10 healthy eggs-then you only need 10 healthy looking sperm to inject. And by the way, my husabnds sperm NEVER looked that healthy, but I have a 9 week old perfect son to prove otherwise. Good Luck to you, and ask any questions that you'd like-the girls here are great and really can help guide you thru the process.

[gina1234]

hey john i was reading your story & just wanted to let u know anything is possible my hubby is in good shape & is 32....his count like yours was low but it was alot lower than yours it was about 1 million & out of the million only 1,000 were okay to use....we did 6 iui, & 3 ivf cycles with icsi & finally on are 3rd try which was are lucky charm i am now 32 wks pregnant & having a baby boy soon...the doctors say anytime between now & july 24 which is when we have our c section scheduled...so i will send alot of baby vibes to you & your wife & good luck to u both.....

[lauradc]

Hi John- Just thought I'd throw another positive story out there to help you see that your chances are very good! My husband has a low count and motility- lower than yours. We did ICSI and they just needed 10 sperm and they got them and we now have a healthy 3-year-old son. We are currently going to try again for a second child and see if we might be lucky enough/blessed enough to have success another time. Keep a postitive attitude because ICSI is a very amazing thing and is most defintely the reason that we have our son. Good luck to you and your wife! Laura

[jen8675309]

Hey John ~

My DH also has low count and I am perfectly fine (so to speak!). We also did IVF with ICSI and got pregnant with our twin girls on our first try. I think you two have a great chance at success! Good luck!

Jenny

[jchris11]

Thank you all for the words of encouragement, support and info. I REALLY appreciate you all taking the time out to write. I just read your responses to the wife and could barely get through it w/out getting teary-eyed from all the hope you've given me.

Thank you again!

John

[lynniecat]

I was told ABSOLUTELY!!! You know the issue is getting the good sperm, so if they hand pick you are golden. My friend just went through the same thing, but one embryo back on day THREE (not even day five) and is currently taking care of her 10 week old!

Her doctor said in cases like hers (yours) the success rates are very high! Good luck!

[riogirl71]

One more story to get you guys hopeful and excited
My DH has low count and motility, we did IVF with ICSI and got pregnant with a boy the first try, he is now 8 mos old and a joy! It is all a numbers game with a dose of luck but I think it looks good for you guys. Just remember to be there for each other and be good to each other, it is very emotional!
Baby dust!

[nicaliw]

Hi John,

My husband has a sperm count of only 800,000.....super low....and they move slowly.
Anyway, I also checked out just fine and made lost of follicles. I forget the exact number but in the high twenties. 6 of them made it to blastocysts (5 day embryos...they have a better chance usually of making it). We got pregnant from the 1st 2 embryos we transfered but they didn't stick around. So we transfered some frozen embryos a few months later and got pregnant again. Our little boy is now 6 months old! Best of luck to you....I would reiterate all the advice the other ladies ahve already given you too.