Sucess stories with low sperm count and achieving pregnancy without IUI of IVF

I would like to know if anyone has any inspiring stories regarding pregnancy with a low sperm count to give me some hope!!!! We have been TTC for around 4.5 years, I managed to fall pregnant last year but had a M/C at 14 weeks. Since then we have been trying again but so far not even a whiff of a BFP. I am growing more despondant with each month that goes past. I live in the UK and have 2 older children from a previous marriage and a 5 year old son with my partner. I went for help with TTC after the last M/C but the GP was not interested so went private. The private fertility clinic perscribed me with clomid as I was ovulating too early in my cycle and also informed us that my partners S/A was a low on all 3 factors.

I recently went back to my dr to see if now a year has passed since my M/C if they would offer any help. They have repeated all the tests FSH, HDG, 21 day bloods, repeated scans etc and mine all came back fine (apart from the above issue) however my partner's came back low/abnormal again.

We have been told that without IUI or IVF achieving a pregnancy is not impossible but unlikely. We don't qualify for help on the NHS for IUI or IVF as we already have a child together so the only other option is private which is far too much money and not something that we can afford :(

The advice the GP gave was to adopt/maintain a healthy lifestyle which we already have (no drinking smoking and to stay fit) we both are very active and fit and neither smoke or drink! I also always chart my cyles, use OPKs and CB fertility monitor so know we hit the right days.... the past few cyles we have been abstaining for 2 days prior to the OPK+ to try and increase the sperm count. We use pre-seed, & I take EPO and take care of myself by drinking green tea, lots of water, cutting out caffiene etc etc...... I also take folic acid and magnesium and my partner takes zinc and vit c supplements and makes sure no alcohol around O time.....

I feel like giving up at the moment - I can't bear to see another BFN and feel like I don't have the strength to carry on as it all seems so pointess. Has anyone been in a similar situation and managed to have a sucessful pregnancy?

[LisaRG]

Hello,
I am following your story and I hate to see you so upset.
First off - low sperm does not mean NO sperm and it only takes one of those swimmers to get pregnant.
Stress is not going to help you now, try to work on that ( almost impossible I know).
I am not sure if you know my story, but I recently had a m/c, but the miracle is that I got pregnant at 45, ( i just need to find a good egg).  I really believe that following TCOYF really helped me get a BFP .  I charted and watched my Cervical mucus very carefully as well as my cervical position.  I don't O when my cervical mucus is the most fertile so OPK sticks don't always help me, if I am reallying on them alone and bbt only confirms O.  I think cervical mucus is the key.  Anyway it's worth a read.
The book is called " taking charge of your fertility".
Good luck
Lisa.

[bree08]

I am also dealing with male infertility. Unfortunately I don't have a success story yet, but I hope to be one soon. I understand your frustration and I know it's painful to go through this. I have read success stories with low counts and I actually have a few friends on this site whose DHs had low counts and got pregnant naturally. I've been through 2 IUIs and I'm on my third right now. I hope next week I can post another success story to give you hope! I also have heard of the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility and I've heard it's really good! I wish you the best of luck {{HUGS}}

[LisaRG]

Hi again,
FYI - My DH does not "technically" have a low sperm count, but he does have a morphology(?) issue so timing intercourse is ultimately our best chance - give those swimmers all the help they can get.  You can also google preseed  and preconceive  they are lubricants that help sperm stay alive and swim.  It can be bought on the internet.
Stay positive.:)
Lisa

[bny807]

Hello! so sorry to hear about your struggles!  We are "hopefully" a success story with male factor (and lots of female factors - one ovary, severe endo, lufs, and pcos, recurrent mc's).  My dh has low morphology - only 2% normal.. We were told by his urologist that the only way we would get preg just with his issue was IVF with ICSI.. but my RE said he had seen it happen so we did IUI's with injectables, got pregnant several times but unfortunately miscarried.. and then a miracle happened! we were taking time off (i know i've heard the stories, but never thought it would happen to us!) and i got pregnant! it was my first month on asprin and folic acid (it was found i had a blood clotting disorder) we got pregnant all natural, which they told us was impossible! and we are 17 weeks with a girl, so miracles can always happen! :)   GOOD LUCK your in  my prayers!

[40smama]

I also read that wearing tight underwear (briefs) aren't good for those little swimmers.  Try having your partner wear boxers - I've read several articles about this issue - also don't bd every day; rather go every two days like you're doing.  Continue w/that & as bny said, you could have a miracle.  Google male infertility or low sperm count - you probably will come up w/more ideas about getting through this - best of luck to you - jen

Okay, now I had to do some research and came up w/a couple of articles that could possibly help:

www.babyhopes.com/articles/causes-low-sperm-count.html
www.healthscout.com/ency/68/690/main.html -

[40smama]

I found one more article -

www.drmalpani.com/book/chapter7.html  - you can google low sperm count and find lots more - good luck, jen

[bam1014]

tinkerbell - I hate to see you so despondant :(

I'm sure you know by now, I am a huge proponent of TCOYF, but it seems as if you are following all her advice anyway.  My only suggestions are this, perhaps abstain for more then 2 days, up to 5, before BD.  Also I've done a lot of research on vitamin supplementation.  My DH was taking 1000mg of Vitamin C (good for motility) and 500mg of L-Carnitine and L-Argnitine (good for morphology).  I'm not 100% sure I got the spelling right, as I'm at work right now.  He also took a multi-vitamin and 800mg of Folic Acid.  He's really been slacking on it lately, so I finally compromised and he only takes the L-Argnitine and Folic Acid at the moment.

You can also try googling FertilAid for Men and Fertility Blend for Men.  I've read about them, but have never gone that route.  According to quite a few web sites there are lots of success stories.  And of course there is the pre-seed.

Have you thought any more about using the SoftCup?

[tinkerbell101]

Thanks ladies - I will get searching for a copy of the book.

Thank you bny807 for sharing your wonderful story with me... it has given me some hope that miracles can happen. Congratulations on your pregnancy.... xx

I have also had a good look at the links very kindly suggested - It seems they ultimately all point to the same dead end IUI IVF ICSI which is not financially possible for us apart from the advice we are already adhering too... staying fit, stress free, not smoking, drinking, wearing tight underwear, having hot baths etc etc...

I am going to talk to my dr about the supplements vitamins and herbs as he seemed to think this was a waste of money??  I was taking the Fertilaid and FertilaidCM and when I mentioned it to the Dr he said it might make me feel better as it brings hormones into balance but thats about it??!?

Bam - I will try your advice of refraining for more days and yes I am a fan of the softcup - we use those, I have never gone down the route of actually depositing the semen in the cap and inserting it. I know what you mean about your DH slacking off on the supplements, I have that problem.... its so frustrating!! Shame they are not beer flavoured!

[bam1014]

LOL - yes, if they were beer flavored, it would be less of a problem :)  He goes in streaks where he's really good at taking them and then he'll forget for a week.  I keep explaining to him that it takes 3 months for the sperm to fully develop and that he needs to be consistent!  Oh well, at least he makes an effort.

It was nunu's dr, that recommended they wait the 5 days before BD.  That's what I was trying for last cycle, when I went and O'd a day earlier then I expected!

[kiyakorah]

Hi ladies my name is Krystal. i am 26 and i have two children a 5 & 6 year old from a previous. My fianc'e and i have been tring to concieve (conceive) for over a year now. We had an early miscarriage in February and absolutly nothing since. After the miscarriage i was totally checked out my the doctor and there is nothing reproductively wrong with me. My fianc'e is about 5 million short on his sperm count. We have tried clomid, pre-seed, and we are currently trying fertile aid. Nothing has worked and all my friends are pregnant and One of  my friends who was pregnant with me in feb is now having her baby. :( It breaks my heart daily. i find myself angry with my fian'ce because he can't seem to reproduce. i just wonder how long this will continue for. Will we ever have a child??? It was soo easy to have my first two. His infertility is totally taking away from fun baby making.  looking at going for IUI. but i will be soo disapointed if or when we spend all that money and it doesn't work. Any advice??? Heart broken

[kimepp]

we went to have the iui done and they said his count was to low still to do iui, they went ahead and used what they had tho. his count was only 236,000.  it is frustrating but its something that cant be helped. me and my dh both have fertility problems and he gets so frustrated to but i have told him its not like he chose that. good luck!!! if i get a bfn tomorrow then we have to see urologist

[teena705]

I had two IUI treatments
1st time around I had one egg and sperm count is 4 million. We did not had intercourse afterwards.
2nd time I had two eggs and sperm count was 1.2 million with 62% motility. It was a success. Following are the things I did and I strongly believe those contributed in some way for me to get pregnant.  
1) After the IUI a doctor came in to the room, While I was still on the table and said our only option might be IVF.made us feel really bad. To be honest I had no hope and was not anticipating a positive pregnancy test like I did during the 1st IUI. I was just getting ready for another IUI. Also I believe this is how I got pregnant we both took leave during that time and we had intercourse when ever we felt like it ( we watched some movies so we can stay stimulated) and every time I tried for at least two orgasms. had sex the afternoon of the IUI and twice next 3 days.I know thats not what they recommend when you have a low sperm count but after being discouraged like that what else could possibly go wrong? so we did it anyway. Also I was afraid to have orgasms but thought thats something your body does naturally so it can`t be that bad.

2) did fertility yoga and kegel exercises before and after the IUI specially after sex.

3) Boiled about 3 table spoons of barley and drank the water when I was in fertility medication and I did not had any constipation. My husband began having flax seed oil capsules about 2 months before the IUI.

4) lastly resisted at http://www.praying4ababy.com/prayer.html.

I know how hard going thorough fertility treatments can be, this is my true story of our journey and now I am five months pregnant. I pray the the same for each and every one of you!!!

[janedoe959]

     My husband also has a low sperm count.   We had two kids together so we had to lie to the fertility doctor.   Tell the doctor the kids are from a previous marriage and the two of you are trying to conceive.   We lied to get the doctor to do IVF.   My husbands sperm count was so low we had to use the ICSI method.   Anyway we have a baby girl as a result.    
     Sometimes to get doctors to do what  you want you must lie.

[Azurah]

Hi there

My husband has very low sperm count, Low morphology, low motility... bascially everything that could be wrong, he has it.
I have endometriosis and PCOS.
Our RE told us we cannot have kids naturally and suggested ICSI. We got a BFP, I was initially carrying twins, had diminishing twin syndrome at 10w and everything was going well with the other twin until 24w we lost our son due to pre- term labour.
Five months after his loss, I wanted to do another IVF.
Saw the RE and was waiting to start the meds. and then few days later ......A MIRACLE! I fell pregnant NATURALLY, I was totally shocked. It was so unexpected.
I have a healthy beautiful baby girl now. So its very possible.
Been trying again.... no luck this time, but I still believe miracles are still possible.
Its just that I don't want to play the waiting game. so Im attempting another IVF in April.
Hopefully all goes well.

All the best to you too.

[bigvern1]

I had virtually no sperm, due to testicular operations as a child. I have a 17 year old daughter now.(Born and conceived au natural!!!) It doesn't mean you can't become a father with a low count. It's all down to luck. Speaking of which.."Good luck to you"!!

[lawrence0777yahoocom782]

Hello bny807,
My husband has lower sperm, 95% is abnormal sperm only 5% normal
We can afford IVF. He asked his special doctor and there is no medication to increase your sperm according to specialist. We heard it and we were so depress sometime i was cry a lot due this this issued because I see my sisters has baby every year and his side as well. Is there everyone knows the way how to help my husband make it sperm increase and if you do please email as ***@**** and thanks in advance.

[oneida4]

i do

[oneida4]

i dont know you im new to this site but i read your common and i know how you feel im going through something simmilar im planning to buy fertiaid for my husband and i in july hopefully it will boost things up for him

[oneida4]

just want to say try fertiaid for men and women it helps men with low sperm

[jess1904]

Hey I write on the m/c I taught did but I didn't. I descover my partner as a low sperm count two of the doc we went to is say ivf but we can't afford that at all. We Try another doc who say my partner should try comidfene for 3 months well he's on his first month n I pray to god it help caz we need a child badly even one child would be good. My partner as 7million sperm but some of them not swimming properly :( is there still hope that the comid will help

[Liss17]

I also have a similar situation and I'm glad to hear that you had a happy ending. I too have one ovary due to a cyst and also endo. My husband had a past vasectomy with a previous marriage but had since had it reversed. Unfortunately, his sperm count is low (below 4 mil) we are waiting approval from insurance company for IVF with ICSI. It's soooooo good to hear a success story. This has been a long and emotionally tough experience.

[magf09]

Here is my question, how does everyone pay for IVF? Did you take out a loan?

[emsmom09]

Hello Everyone,

My husband also has a low sperm count.  We have a 3 year old daughter, and got pregnant with her all natural with no problems.  I have had two IUI treatments with no luck, and lots of devastation.  I have contemplated IVF, but am very skeptical to take out a loan for this amount of money with no guarantee.  I really try to be happy with one child, and I love her more than anything, but the desire for more children is huge.  I come from a large family and my husband does as well.  I find myself being jealous of my friends and family members who are pregnant, and even some of the patients I take care of (I am a nurse).  The hardest part for me is the way it has changed me as a person to want this so much, and not be able to achieve it, and evoking these negative feelings inside of me.  I have prayed and prayed, and I am now at a standstill.  I am very regular, and never late, and have no reproductive issues myself.  My last period was 3 days late, and I was so excited because I thought for sure I was pregnant, but I wasn't :(  I just don't know where to go from here.  My husband has been wearing boxers and wearing masks at work when he is around chemicals like paint thinner (apparently this can affect sperm count?).  It helps me to see others in this same situation, and hear the success stories!  Thank you!

[miha898]

Hi,my name is mihaela,my husbund has also low count sperm,so low 0.1,the doctors told us it,s impossible to get pregnant natural,we need not only IVF,we need also sperm donation,but when he told us that,me i was already pregnant,took us only 3-4 months.So now ,we have a strong baby ,he has 9.3 when he come in this world.Never give up

[jfo662]

This seems to have great success: http://www.fertilaid.com/l-carnitine.asp
Also, the cheapest I have found it is at this site: Early-pregancy-tests.com
My husband and I only just started trying, so I hope we are ok, but a dear friend of mine is going through this. Anyhow, I looked this all up for her and her husband.
When I looked at the reviews for Fertilaid they seemed very positive, and appear to help with count, mobility and morphology.
Best of luck to you all.

[davobecca]

I have a low sperm count of 0.3! This was caused by illness. I had 2 baby Girls prior to my illness but wanted 4 Children! My wife and I tried for another for 2 years but without luck! Thats when I found out that my Count was 0.3! Thé doctor Said thé Only way we could fall pregnant was through IVF! My wife being a Christian Said if its Gods Will it would happen naturally? But it didn't! I was thé one WHO wanted to have 4 Children and I was sad of thé fact that I couldn't! Anyhow my wife ended up having surgery that put an End to any possibility of us having anymore Children! After 12 years our relationship broke down and ended! I have a New partner now she's 41 and I am 49! Now after many years and with my New partner we're pregnant naturally! No pills and with low sperm count! I just wanted to share as Everything is possible so don't ever give up hope!