hullo, I have just joined this forum today because I need a place where I can hear from other ladies who may be going through what I am.

My husband and I have been trying to conceive for 3 years. We were recommended to do ICSI because of poor sperm quality; we then did frozen embryo transfer. Then we went abroad to try another cycle of ICSI and his sperm analysis came out totally normal -- so we went home happily thinking we could conceive.

When that didn't work out, we went through 3 cycles of IUI. I'd had my tubes and everything checked out, when finally a doctor told me I have polycystic ovaries -- not polycystic ovarian syndrome, just 'polycystic ovaries'. This doctor also brought to our attention that my husband has abnormal 'semen viscosity'. But no one has been able to tell us if yes, this is the cause of our infertility -- no one seems to know the answers.

In a month we are again going abroad for IVF/ICSI. I just feel like we are missing answers, pieces of a puzzle, and that the doctors are also missing something.

I don't feel fully equipped, information-wise. :confused: I just don't want to go all the way to London only to be told, "you're normal" and then not conceive for another year and a half.

thanks.

Welcome aboard! I know exactly what you mean about feeling like the doctors are missing something. All of my tests have checked out fine, and DH has low morphology and motility, but other than that we also have no answers. DH has been taking Emergen-C and L- Carnitine daily and last cycle his counts were great, but our 4th IUI still wasn't successful. I'm on cycle day 37, still no period, and negative pregnancy tests. Anyway, sorry for rambling! Welcome again, and hopefully you will find support and encouragement from these boards like we have! :)

Kathy

Welcome EE :wave:

There are many on these boards with unexplained infertility, so I think you came to the right place. We have been trying for about 4 years now and just found out last summer the problem is with my tube. We will be making our first (and probably only) attempt at IVF very soon. You will find lots of support here. I hope you find answers soon and get the BFP you have been hoping for.

Holly

Hi EE,

Welcome to the board. I am so sorry for all you are going through. To me one of the worst parts of IF is the not knowing why or getting different and confusing answers. Sometimes it just takes time to find the right treatment. I know going abroad to London for treatment must be a big sacrafice. I complain b/c I have to travel 1 and a half hours so for you that must be hard too. I would have written down a list of questions and get the records from all the doctor's you've seen re: IF, review them and maybe you can start reading books on IF and go online for research. This board is a wonderful resource and everyone is so great. I really hope that you get the answers you so what and need to get a BFP!! Lot's of luck to you and keep us posted!!! :0

kathy

Hullo everyone,

thank you for your replies, just the fact that I received responses made me feel comforted :)

I have done extensive research online re: IVF/ICSI, but I will take your advice and will buy a book on it, as that may be more concise and helpful.

I wish you guys all the best, and will keep you posted (i'm leaving for london in the first week of May).

thanks again

Welcome to the board! It's a great place for support and answers to all of our questions. There is always someone who has gone through whatever procedure you may go through who can answer your questions. I'm sorry you are going through all of this. I know how hard it is! I also know how you feel about feeling like they may be missing something. I have had every test done in the book and all has come out fine. My husband's sperm count is a little low, but nothing too scary. We are currently going though ivf/icsi. I feel good about it, we have our transfer in two days so if you have any questions be sure to ask away. :) :)

Carisa

Hi Kathy,

Your post peeked my interest as my DH also has low morphology and we are wondering if IUI is worth our time and money. I have been posting on another thread and jsut now found your post. We are been TTC for almost 3 years now with male factor IF due to low morphology (7%). Do you know of any boards for men with this issue? Does your DH have a support group for all this? My DH is really struggling with all this (as am I of course) and does not seem to have anyone to talk to about it other than me.

Also, we are wondering if we should just move directly to IVF or not. I am on injectables with IUI right now and just had another failed attempt.
Sam

Hi Sam,
I'm sorry to hear your last iui was not successful. My DH had low counts too and just visited a urologist that performed a procedure to increase his counts. His visit to the specialist was recommended by our family doc, not the fertility doc, but within 90 days they expect an increased count. Not sure if this is the same problem your DH is having, but it might be work a call to a urologist.
Our doc told us early on that we were good candidates for ivf because of the low count. We switched from iui to ivf after 3 rounds and have had success getting good fertilized embryos, unfortunately none have implanted yet. I think it depends on your age whether you would be better to move forward with ivf or keep trying iui.
Hope this helps.
Hang in there.
Kati

Hi Sam! :wave: In answer to your question, I don't know of any boards for men with IF issues. The only support system DH has is me, but I honestly think it's the other way around. I cry on his shoulder way more than he cries on mine. ;) He saw a urologist back before we started seeing our RE, but he didn't do a thing for us. The only thing he found was a possible varicocele, but we didn't feel like it was in our best interest to look further into it. When we had our meeting with our RE about a month ago, he talked like there probably wasn't anything the urologist could have done anyway. DH'S counts were tons improved when we went for our last IUI, and we're hoping that the supplements are helping. We go for another IUI in a couple of weeks, so we should know more then. Our insurance doesn't cover any IF treatments, so we are going to try a few more IUI'S and if they don't work, then we will move to IVF. It's a hard decision to make. I hope this helps some!

Kat