Morph Issue...

[*Copwife*]

DH and I are now TTC our 3rd child. With our first, we had some issues with myself (PCOS) but they tested him to rule any sperm issues out and he had horrible numbers. One of his SA's revealed a count of 4 million and only 2% morph. One month after this result, I got pregnant naturally and had a healthy baby girl 9 months later. When we decided to TTC #2, we immediately visited the RE to have him tested again. His counts were low and varied between 7 and 13 million, low motility (usually in the 30% range) and poor morph (2-7%) using strict methods. Our RE recommended IVF due to the morph. We took a cycle off treatments to discuss moving forward with the IVF and I got pregnant with my baby boy. Fast forward to now, we are TTC #3. I actually got pregnant back in January but 9 weeks into the pregnancy, there was no longer a heartbeat and I had a D&C a few days after we discovered that we miscarried. We just visited with our RE and had DH tested. His count was 59 million, 33% motility, but morph was only 1% (kruger). This has been his worst number regarding morph. Our RE is recommending trying a few cycles of Clomid/timed intercourse and then IUI if that doesn't work. Is there any way we can improve his morph number? Would it be silly to try the timed intercourse with such poor morph? The RE is very hopeful since we have conceived 3 times (in a span of 3.5 years) with 2 healthy children out of the conceptions but I can't help but worry.

[rich]

Dear Copwife,

Since I feel sympatico as I am a retired cop, the answer is yes. There are a few ways to bring the morph numbers up. First thing is get him on a good multivitamin/mineral, making sure it is high in B vits. Get a minimum of an extra 400 IU of vitamin E and 1 gram of vitamin C. Get also 200 mg/day of Grapeseed extract or Pinetree extract and drink tomato juice everyday.
I say this as no cop I have ever knew ever ate right including me when working. Coffee, donuts, hot dogs and hamburghers or chicken are standard fare as you are eating in the car or at a desk. This has effects on fertility whether it is in morphing, count, motility etc. plus depending on the community it can be extreme stress also. Some of these items will improve things in as little as 30 days while the rest will take 90 days for the effects to show.

Ask what you need.

rich

[*Copwife*]

Thank you SO much Rich!!! He has been taking 'Fertilaid' but we also picked up some Vit E, C and Grapeseed extract while at the store the other day. Strangely, he eats very healthy, even going as far as cutting up veggies to have a healthy snack to munch on and bringing his lunch to work. He did occasionally drink but stopped about 2 months ago. He also exercises regularly and stays in great shape. Hoping these extra vitamins do the trick.

He does have a heart condition that he was born with and takes "lisinopril" to manage his blood pressure and I wonder if this does something to his swimmers...

Thanks again Rich!!

[rich]

Dear Copwife,

The drug shouldn't cause any problem as they gave it to rats for over 2 years and no problems showed. They use rats because of their sensitivity to most things is much higher than humans and if the rat goes without effects, most if not all people will. I would increase the Vitamin E to 1000 IU/day. The reason is physically active and smokers need the extra protection of the vitamin. The exercise sessions qua;ify for physically active as they produce radicals in the blood.

Ask what you need.

rich

[*Copwife*]

Thank you so much Rich!!!! We have increased his Vit E to the 1000 IU/day. We will recheck in about a month or two. I was able to get my hands on his most recent results from the end of May and wondered if there was anything else you would suggest regarding his results:

[rich]

Dear Copwife,

If you look at the results of the analysis you will see approx 25% have taper damage. This is heat damage and could be the reason for the low result as heat does make them tapered but also increases reactivity rates and adds to amorphous or radical damage. So the heat could come from a vein but also from no getting enough circulation of air to cool.

Ask what you need.

rich

[*Copwife*]

Rich- would wearing a jock strap cause too much heat to that area?? He wore one to work as he is afraid of being kicked in this area but I talked him out of wearing it for the past month or so. Interestingly, he wore one while TTC our healthy pregnancies and I talked him out of wearing it and I got pregnant naturally shortly after (within a couple of months).

Also, if we proceed with TTC doing timed intercourse, how frequently should we have sex? Would doing it more often help with the morph or would it lower his counts too much?

[rich]

Dear Copwife,

The jock would do it easily as it holds the jewels next to the body and thus cooking them. That would account for the low morphing,motility and count. As for worrying about a shot there , it is a frontal direct in that takes the breath away not an upward one as most of them miss the mark.

During the fertilewindow every otherday with long foreplay before intercourse. The rest of the time go like rabbits. The reasons are simple. The long foreplay put 70% more sperm in you with both higher motility and morphing. The frequency in off time builds his count up over the long run plus relieves him of stress from the job and improves his sperm.

Ask what you need.

rich

[*Copwife*]

Hi Rich!! Thank you for ALL of your help! Looks like we beat the odds once again! I got a positive HPT this morning!!!!! Looks like your suggestions really helped!

Hopefully this will be a successful pregnancy! I am so nervous since our last one was not.

BTW- We had intercourse every day during fertile window, 3 days prior to, day of O and day after.

[rich]

Congrats and may you have a healthy and happy 9 months.

rich