[loveneverfails]

It's been a long time...DH and I have received some major blows the past couple of weeks and it has been a struggle to get through it all. My HSG was good, nothing blocked, blood work done this past month and I actually ovulated progesterone levels were 56. BUT the bad news is that DH had is SA done...and motility was a 16...it needs to be around 40-50 preferably over 50. There were two other factors that were low but not as low as that. Quantity was pretty good but knowing how much motility can affect fertility I know our only options now are likely an IUI. Just though I would update. Thanks for all the support.

[*Manda*]

Hi Katie

Don't take it too hard. How good was count? The better the count the less motility matters because 16% of those little guys are still moving. On our SA they want Motility at 80% I think. Anywho they want the % to be of approx 20 mil/ML. So if your DH had above average sperm then thats more you have working for you.

Secondly you are NOT alone. My DH just got some rough blows as well. His count was "normal" at 24 mil but his morphology was a 19 and his motility was at 30 with only 5% being fast progressing motility.

Have you ever checked out the instead cups? I used them this cycle because it made sense to me when I started researching. Essentially they hold everything up there right close to the cervix so its less moving for the sperm to have to do. I dunno if it worked yet or not for me but I'll know for sure in a few days.

[loveneverfails]

It was in the low 50s I believe. The other two low were grade(speed) and supravital stain(% alive) so they are not only not moving in the right direction, they aren't moving very fast and there are a lot of dead ones.

[*Manda*]

Sounds like were dealing with some of the same. Try checking out the instead cups. They make the swimmers hafta go less far.

[~* Natasha *~]

DH and I are in the same boat as well!

Count was, 15 mil (I think?) and after wash motility was 33% (I think, it was back in November so it's a little fuzzy and I don't have a print out). I have upped DH's vitamins and I'm hoping that when I contact my RE he will agree to do another IUI regardless of DH's "problems." *sigh*

I may have to look into those Instead cups. Where do you get them at? Are they difficult to insert? How long do you leave them in??

[aubers68]

I used Instead cups!!!! Don't know if that's what got us our BFP... but we did use them, along with Pre Seed Lubricant

[MamaAnna]

You can get Instead Cups near the pads and things at the store. Not all stores have them, but I know Walmart does for sure because I see them every time I stock up on unpleasantness.

Has your DH seen a urologist? Are they going to try to treat him at all?

[-Brandy-]

Also wanted to pass on some advice from several of the ladies on the TTC board. Their husbands SA came back low and they had them start taking GNC Performance & Vitality vitamins. I personally know 3 girls whose husbands started taking the vitamins after receiving "bad" SA results...they are all 3 pregnant now. Definitely something worth looking into!

[loveneverfails]

We are probably going to try the instead cups and he has been taking vitamins so hopefully that makes a difference. We have an appointment tomorrow with my OBGYN to see about a referral. We'll see how it goes.