Testing

[bree08]

We found out a few months ago that my husband has varicocele. The reproductive DR asked us to get another sperm analysis, blood work and a physical. I feel that we already know what the problem is and we're going to have to do IUI. Does anyone else know why we would still have to get another sperm analysis and blood work if we already know what the problem is?

[jess553]

Your welcome. It's nice to talk to someone who is going thru the same thing. Let me know if you have any other questions and I will let you know tomorrow about the vitamins.

[bree08]

I'm seeing a specialist. I'm not taking Clomid or anything right now. DH needs to go back for blood work and then we will go in for a consult before we start the procedures. I'm hoping the DR tells me to take Clomid or something to increase my chances. Definatly let me know what he's taking. We need all the help we can get! Thank you

[jess553]

I'm confident that IUI will work for both of us, since we have had all other test done and everything has come back fine. The vitamins are pretty cheap. I can let you know tomorrow exactly what he is taking, I only have a computer at work. Are you seeing an OB Dr. or a specialist? Will you be taking Clomid or something else? Keep me posted and hopefully we will both have good news soon.

[bree08]

When the DR told us what the problem was he seemed pretty confident that IUI would work too. I hope it does. I've tried to get him to stop smoking. I am going to go buy vitamins for him to take. I read in here that they bough fertility blend for men. I think I'll try and find those.  I cannot wait to start trying through IUI. Keep me posted once you find out that your pregnant. It's nice to hear that other people are going through the same thing!

[jess553]

My doctor feels pretty confident, nothing is sure thing unfortunately. This will be my second cycle with clomid/ IUI. I was on clomid for 2 months prior and nothing. If this cycle doesn't work then we will go see a fertility specialist and I'm not sure what he will suggest we do. We can't afford IVF either, so I hope he would continue with IUI's and not recommend IVF. If your husband could stop or cut back on smoking I bet that would really help, but I know they don't always listen. Its hard to get my husband to remember to take his vitamins, but he has been great through all of this TTC stuff.

[bree08]

Does your doctor feel pretty confident that you will get pregnant by IUI. I'm just interested because my husband has the same problem. I cant get him to stop smoking and he does drink about once a week. I am just really hoping that IUI works because we really cannot afford IVF.

[bree08]

Thanks for the responses. We'll definatly have to get this figured out because I would like to start the IUI's in June

[jess553]

Hello. My husband was diagnosed w/ a Varicocele. His first count was 35 mill., the second one was done by a urologist and it was 25mill. I put him on a mixture of vitamins, Vit. C, Zinc, B-12, Selenium, he wears only boxers, takes cool showers, cut out as much caffiene and alchohol as possible. We went for our first IUI and his count (after wash) was 40mill. They said that was very good. Unfortunately I didn't get a BFP so we will try it again. I would definately make some changes to see if it helps before doing surgery. Hope this helps.

Jess

[tina1111]

I was able to bring dh's specimen into the lab in the am for him. I forget the time limit on it. I want to say 20 or 30mins. The clinic is near our house. He did his "business" and I hopped straight into the car and took it in. That way he didn't have to miss work.  If the lab is nearby, maybe you could do that, too.

[bny807]

we've tried two IUI's so far.. (thats all the RE wanted to give us before talking about IVF) I am in the tww from my second IUI.... the first one my one follie didnt' rupture so we were out of the game right away! : (      But our chances are so super low with IUI with such a bad morphology, plus i have severe endo and mild pcos! ha, so we are very reproductively challenged!    But i at least wanted to try something before moving straight to IVF, we'll see in about 10 days!

[bree08]

I think his sperm count was 20 mil, I forget what his morphology and motility was. The doctor said it was below normal. I had my fallopian tubes, blood work and ultrasound done. The doctor said everything came back normal for me. I'll definatly have him go and get more testing done. It's just really hard w/ his work schedule to get things done! How many IUI's have you done if any?

[tina1111]

It isn't uncommon when a s/a comes back abnormal for the dr to have another test done. So many factors can influence the outcome of the test. It can take up to 2 1/2 months for all of the sperm cells to regenerate and have a full count again. Illness, medicine, etc. can cause these problems. There is a "life cycle" and when enough time has passed, they usually retest to confirm the findings. Sometimes the 2nd test shows normal function after an abnormal test.

My dh had 2 tests done even though his 1st was normal. They wanted a confirmation that they replenished properly.

[bny807]

Hello! what were your husbands humbers? Motiltiy, number morphology?   My dh has morphology of 2% and poor motility, so we went straight to IUI, however, i think with our numbers that its a long shot still without ivf... IS your RE talking about bloodwork for you or for your husband?     From my experience, I'd defintely do all the testing that they recommend (especially if insurance pays for it) because unfortuantely people (well espcially myself) have more than one issue causing their infertility and its best to catch it and fix it sooner than later!    Also Sperm analysis can change when you repeat them (especially if there is 3 months in between the samples) so it helps get a more accurate "game plan"  to get you that BFP!     GOOD LUCK! : )