7 replies to this topic

Hi everyone using this forum...I'm new to the forum and am looking for some general information and tips that might be able to help my wife and I achieve pregnancy. I'm 37 and in good health...exercise 4 or 5 times per week, slim build, have no existing medical problems...I drink very little and do not smoke. My diet is okay, lots of fruits, fairly balanced diet. I have a twin sister who also has reporductive issues...Ive been told by the Doctors that the reason for my poor semen quality (morphology 1% normal) is genetic and there is nothing I can do to improve the quality. We got pregnant naturally after trying for about 2 years or so but resulted in miscarriage. We just did an IVF cycle with ICSI at PCRM in Burnaby. We had 27 mature eggs to fertilize. By day 5, we had 1 good quality blastocyte and 1 good quality just about blastocyte stage that were transfered (rated as number 2 quality). We also had a few other embryos that the Embryologist decided were not good enough to freeze. The IVF did not result in a pregnacy.

I imagine this would be a really good place to get advice on vitamins or supplements to improve semen quality. I have read on this forum that selenium can help motility and that naturopath and chinese medicine can help improve semen quality. My semen trial wash results suggested my sample is suitable for ICSI, with the following comments:

"Many mucoid particles in sample; low concentration; slightly reduced motility in semen; slightly reduced total motile count in semen; low normal forms; poor post-wash motility; poor post-wash motility grade; low number of motile sperm recovered post-wash; poor post-wash recovery."

Can anyone suggest anything specific regarding a supplement or vitamin or perhaps if you live in the BC lower mainland please recommend a clinic or facility that may be able to help. Much thanks!

Mike

[tabby]

There's a acupuncture/traditional Chinese medicine clinic in Vancouver that specializes in infertility : Acubalance Wellness. Some, if not all, of the practitioners there write about men's reproductive health. There's lots of information on their site, even if you never make an appointment. I haven't been to them but I've heard them recommended numerous times.

[amygirl]

Hi Mike
I hope I can be helpful as my husband too has sperm issues. We conceived my daughter in 2007 and it was only when we started to try to number 2 that we discovered his morphology is 2% along with low count, motility and a high DNA fragmentation. I did a lot of research. I am happy to report I am 25 weeks pregnant with twins. We did one cycle of IVF with ICSI. I am 33, he is 34.

I would suggest a couple things. Have you had a DNA fragmentation test? I would suggest this test. Your RE can do it. You can read about it on the internet. If yours comes back really high, you may have an answer for your issues.

I put my husband on a cocktail of vitamins: Vitamin C, Zinc, Calcium, Vitamin D, selenium, PYCNOGENAL (u get this at the health food store). Our fertility clinic sold a vitamin for men, he took this for 4 months prior to our IVF cycle. Proxseed is a good vitamin . You can look at your local health food store to see what they have or even at a fertility clinic. They aren't so cheap but can make a difference.

Have you seen a urologist? My husband had a varicicole. He was about to have surgery but we got pregnant so I didn't put him through that. His was small as well, so it probably wasn't the culprit. You may also have an infection which can cleared up by a dose of antibiotics.

No smoking, no drugs, no tight underwear, no bathes, limited alcohol (1/week), 1 coffee a day, ejaculate every 3 days, acupuncture can help, I am sure..but again you need to commit 3 months to see results and lots of water. I would do another sperm analysis in 3 months after you have started taking vitamins daily. Good luck!

[Heather S]

my DH had low motility, poor morphology and low count. he took a slew of vitamins (mostly those listed above) plus did two cleanse diets over 6 months and did acupuncture 2x/week for 3 months. His numbers improved 3-fold in all areas though we were still recommended for icsi but this gave us a much better shot. Am now pregnant from PCRM from an FET. DH also went to Acubalance and saw Dr Ryan Funk. He practices in Vancouver on Tues / thurs and out in Langley on mon/wed/fri. I hope it all works out for you!

Thanks so much for all the great information. I did some research regarding Acubalance...very good info. If my wife and I decide to do another IVF with ICSI (likely in the summer) I think I would go to Acubalance for the specific ICSI treatment plan they have. I ordered Fertilaid today...hopefully it will get here soon. Does anyone know where to purchase it in the lower mainland? I called Fairhaven (manufacturer) and was told they are an online retailer only. I also picked up some Salmon oil with EPA and DHA as well as some CoQ10. My wife and I plan to try to incorporate more whole foods into our diet...basically more vegetables, whole grains and more fish. I'm a little suprised both our Gynecologist and the Doctor at PCRM did not mention or suggest any sort of supplements or anything about diet other than a brief general discussion about lifestyle and diet as factors. I guess due to the morphology issue and my family history they just assume there is a genetic problem and therefore there is nothing that can be done. No mention of DNA fragmentation either. In any case, it was quite interesting and concerning to research DNA fragmentation. I feel better about improving diet, taking vitamins and supplements as from what I read, this is the way to address a poor DNA Fragmentation result. I'll probably have another trial wash done after 3 or 4 months to see if there is any improvement. Hopefully we'll have luck with a natural pregnancy! Thanks again everyone, this is a great website.
Mike

[mrsjohn]

Hi Mike,
You have a similar case as ours because my husband also had infertility issues in his family. i am 31 and he is now 36 in good health. Our 1st IVF with ICSI was also a disaster. Started with 20 eggs and end up with one blast and nothing to freeze. It was a complete failure due to his unknown genetic issues according to my RE. My second IVF was a little better from which i am pregnant now and got one blast to freeze. Hus took fertiaid, selenium, zinc, and Vit C for almost 1 year. He has 0% moltility and 5 or so % morphology and these medicine dnt actually help him but he was taking it because there was nothing else to do for us. My RE actually redommended us to take fertiaid but he told that we may not see a result after 3 or 4 months. DNA frag was also very high for my husband. Hope everything will work out for you and best of luck.

mrsjohn

[baby4us2]

Hi everyone using this forum...I'm new to the forum and am looking for some general information and tips that might be able to help my wife and I achieve pregnancy. I'm 37 and in good health...exercise 4 or 5 times per week, slim build, have no existing medical problems...I drink very little and do not smoke. My diet is okay, lots of fruits, fairly balanced diet. I have a twin sister who also has reporductive issues...Ive been told by the Doctors that the reason for my poor semen quality (morphology 1% normal) is genetic and there is nothing I can do to improve the quality. We got pregnant naturally after trying for about 2 years or so but resulted in miscarriage. We just did an IVF cycle with ICSI at PCRM in Burnaby. We had 27 mature eggs to fertilize. By day 5, we had 1 good quality blastocyte and 1 good quality just about blastocyte stage that were transfered (rated as number 2 quality). We also had a few other embryos that the Embryologist decided were not good enough to freeze. The IVF did not result in a pregnacy.

I imagine this would be a really good place to get advice on vitamins or supplements to improve semen quality. I have read on this forum that selenium can help motility and that naturopath and chinese medicine can help improve semen quality. My semen trial wash results suggested my sample is suitable for ICSI, with the following comments:

"Many mucoid particles in sample; low concentration; slightly reduced motility in semen; slightly reduced total motile count in semen; low normal forms; poor post-wash motility; poor post-wash motility grade; low number of motile sperm recovered post-wash; poor post-wash recovery."

Can anyone suggest anything specific regarding a supplement or vitamin or perhaps if you live in the BC lower mainland please recommend a clinic or facility that may be able to help. Much thanks!

Mike

Hi Mike,

My dh has poor numbers right across the board. While we are planning to go ahead with ivf/icsi, we are currently trying to improve things in the meantime. There is another site with an Andrologist that you can post questions too. He will give you his recommendations for improving sperm quality/quantity. I found it to be very helpful. You need to go the male infertility site. www.fertilichat.com

good luck

[Aiti]

There's a acupuncture/traditional Chinese medicine clinic in Vancouver that specializes in infertility : Acubalance Wellness. Some, if not all, of the practitioners there write about men's reproductive health. There's lots of information on their site, even if you never make an appointment. I haven't been to them but I've heard them recommended numerous times.

Hi tabby I agree with you.I will also recommend Chinese traditional medicines I am patient of azoospermia from Pakistan i am visiting and i am satisfied with their medicines.