IVF Success Stories - "Unexplained" and/or Male Factor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friend's husband had some sort of vein running down that caused all the sperm to get too hot and die (honestly, I didn't want to know too much so I didn't try to remember the details so that may be all wrong.) Anyways, they extracted a couple of swimmers from higher up and she had two uneventful IVF's that resulted in a now 10 year old and 7 year old.

OP here - wow is that a varicocele? the "too hot and die" description is something I haven't heard..great news for the successful couple!

Yes that's what it was I think. I tried not to pay attention too much because I didn't want to imagine his bits or think about it whenever I saw him

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just FYI, 5% morphology isn’t low. Normal range is 4% or greater.

Yes, we are aware that it is considered normal under one test - at labcorp my DH was normal, at SGF he was not. My understanding is there are two tests most used right now- one is 4% or greater, another is 14% or greater.

SGF has higher standards than other area clinics because it maximizes their success rates. We got pregnant 3 times naturally with 1% morphology. Most REs, outside of SGF apparently, will tell you that morphology has a very minimal impact on male fertility. I’m not trying to be rude, but this is part of SGFs sales pitch to talk patients into more aggressive treatments. Most other clinics would call you unexplained with the facts you described. It’s good to be slightly skeptical when the clinic is telling you something in conflict with the lab report.


https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-infertility/expert-answers/sperm-morphology/faq-20057760

What was the sperm count?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just FYI, 5% morphology isn’t low. Normal range is 4% or greater.

Yes, we are aware that it is considered normal under one test - at labcorp my DH was normal, at SGF he was not. My understanding is there are two tests most used right now- one is 4% or greater, another is 14% or greater.

SGF has higher standards than other area clinics because it maximizes their success rates. We got pregnant 3 times naturally with 1% morphology. Most REs, outside of SGF apparently, will tell you that morphology has a very minimal impact on male fertility. I’m not trying to be rude, but this is part of SGFs sales pitch to talk patients into more aggressive treatments. Most other clinics would call you unexplained with the facts you described. It’s good to be slightly skeptical when the clinic is telling you something in conflict with the lab report.


https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-infertility/expert-answers/sperm-morphology/faq-20057760

PP with less than 1% morphology here. This was not my experience with SGF at all, we did several IUIs at the recommendation of our SGF Dr because, in her words, morphology is the least important metric. None of them worked and we moved onto what has so far been a successful round of IVF.

[Anonymous]

DH is a cancer survivor and had very, very low motility and morphology even after using fertility meds. He saw an andrologist who conducted the original research on restoring fertility in cancer patients and has since retired. We did one cycle of IVF with ICSI when I was 36. Our twins are 12.

You really only need a few viable sperm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just FYI, 5% morphology isn’t low. Normal range is 4% or greater.

Yes, we are aware that it is considered normal under one test - at labcorp my DH was normal, at SGF he was not. My understanding is there are two tests most used right now- one is 4% or greater, another is 14% or greater.

SGF has higher standards than other area clinics because it maximizes their success rates. We got pregnant 3 times naturally with 1% morphology. Most REs, outside of SGF apparently, will tell you that morphology has a very minimal impact on male fertility. I’m not trying to be rude, but this is part of SGFs sales pitch to talk patients into more aggressive treatments. Most other clinics would call you unexplained with the facts you described. It’s good to be slightly skeptical when the clinic is telling you something in conflict with the lab report.


https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-infertility/expert-answers/sperm-morphology/faq-20057760

PP with less than 1% morphology here. This was not my experience with SGF at all, we did several IUIs at the recommendation of our SGF Dr because, in her words, morphology is the least important metric. None of them worked and we moved onto what has so far been a successful round of IVF.

PP here. That's great and I totally agree with your doctor! That's what we heard at the other clinics we did consults at too, which is why I was surprised to hear OP say SGF told her "he was not [normal]" and 5% morph was "very very low." We had mild MFI issues (1% morph, low motility, etc.), but I was also DOR and a poor responder, so regular IVF wasn't a great option for us. SGF was less flexible with treatment options than other clinics, so we ultimately decided to cycle elsewhere. Maybe it depends on the RE you get at SGF, but I just want OP to have an accurate understanding of the science as she's making treatment decisions. Hopefully her cycle will go fabulously, but if not, it's critical to have a good understanding to make informed decisions going forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just FYI, 5% morphology isn’t low. Normal range is 4% or greater.

Yes, we are aware that it is considered normal under one test - at labcorp my DH was normal, at SGF he was not. My understanding is there are two tests most used right now- one is 4% or greater, another is 14% or greater.

SGF has higher standards than other area clinics because it maximizes their success rates. We got pregnant 3 times naturally with 1% morphology. Most REs, outside of SGF apparently, will tell you that morphology has a very minimal impact on male fertility. I’m not trying to be rude, but this is part of SGFs sales pitch to talk patients into more aggressive treatments. Most other clinics would call you unexplained with the facts you described. It’s good to be slightly skeptical when the clinic is telling you something in conflict with the lab report.


https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-infertility/expert-answers/sperm-morphology/faq-20057760

OP here, I don't think you're being rude. Yes, I totally agree it was part of the sales pitch - though I also think that 5% is low (coupled with the low sperm county and poor progressive motility).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friend's husband had some sort of vein running down that caused all the sperm to get too hot and die (honestly, I didn't want to know too much so I didn't try to remember the details so that may be all wrong.) Anyways, they extracted a couple of swimmers from higher up and she had two uneventful IVF's that resulted in a now 10 year old and 7 year old.

OP here - wow is that a varicocele? the "too hot and die" description is something I haven't heard..great news for the successful couple!

Yes that's what it was I think. I tried not to pay attention too much because I didn't want to imagine his bits or think about it whenever I saw him

OP here - LOL good to know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just FYI, 5% morphology isn’t low. Normal range is 4% or greater.

Yes, we are aware that it is considered normal under one test - at labcorp my DH was normal, at SGF he was not. My understanding is there are two tests most used right now- one is 4% or greater, another is 14% or greater.

SGF has higher standards than other area clinics because it maximizes their success rates. We got pregnant 3 times naturally with 1% morphology. Most REs, outside of SGF apparently, will tell you that morphology has a very minimal impact on male fertility. I’m not trying to be rude, but this is part of SGFs sales pitch to talk patients into more aggressive treatments. Most other clinics would call you unexplained with the facts you described. It’s good to be slightly skeptical when the clinic is telling you something in conflict with the lab report.


https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-infertility/expert-answers/sperm-morphology/faq-20057760

OP here, 11 million


What was the sperm count?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just FYI, 5% morphology isn’t low. Normal range is 4% or greater.

Yes, we are aware that it is considered normal under one test - at labcorp my DH was normal, at SGF he was not. My understanding is there are two tests most used right now- one is 4% or greater, another is 14% or greater.

SGF has higher standards than other area clinics because it maximizes their success rates. We got pregnant 3 times naturally with 1% morphology. Most REs, outside of SGF apparently, will tell you that morphology has a very minimal impact on male fertility. I’m not trying to be rude, but this is part of SGFs sales pitch to talk patients into more aggressive treatments. Most other clinics would call you unexplained with the facts you described. It’s good to be slightly skeptical when the clinic is telling you something in conflict with the lab report.


https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-infertility/expert-answers/sperm-morphology/faq-20057760

PP with less than 1% morphology here. This was not my experience with SGF at all, we did several IUIs at the recommendation of our SGF Dr because, in her words, morphology is the least important metric. None of them worked and we moved onto what has so far been a successful round of IVF.

Our RE also suggested IUIs to start but we made the decision to move straight to IVF + ICSI based off many experiences on this forum and our own reading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH is a cancer survivor and had very, very low motility and morphology even after using fertility meds. He saw an andrologist who conducted the original research on restoring fertility in cancer patients and has since retired. We did one cycle of IVF with ICSI when I was 36. Our twins are 12.

You really only need a few viable sperm.

OP here - what a wonderful result! Yes, really just need one really great embryo...trying to keep that in mind with all the numbers floating around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just FYI, 5% morphology isn’t low. Normal range is 4% or greater.

Yes, we are aware that it is considered normal under one test - at labcorp my DH was normal, at SGF he was not. My understanding is there are two tests most used right now- one is 4% or greater, another is 14% or greater.

SGF has higher standards than other area clinics because it maximizes their success rates. We got pregnant 3 times naturally with 1% morphology. Most REs, outside of SGF apparently, will tell you that morphology has a very minimal impact on male fertility. I’m not trying to be rude, but this is part of SGFs sales pitch to talk patients into more aggressive treatments. Most other clinics would call you unexplained with the facts you described. It’s good to be slightly skeptical when the clinic is telling you something in conflict with the lab report.


https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-infertility/expert-answers/sperm-morphology/faq-20057760

PP with less than 1% morphology here. This was not my experience with SGF at all, we did several IUIs at the recommendation of our SGF Dr because, in her words, morphology is the least important metric. None of them worked and we moved onto what has so far been a successful round of IVF.

PP here. That's great and I totally agree with your doctor! That's what we heard at the other clinics we did consults at too, which is why I was surprised to hear OP say SGF told her "he was not [normal]" and 5% morph was "very very low." We had mild MFI issues (1% morph, low motility, etc.), but I was also DOR and a poor responder, so regular IVF wasn't a great option for us. SGF was less flexible with treatment options than other clinics, so we ultimately decided to cycle elsewhere. Maybe it depends on the RE you get at SGF, but I just want OP to have an accurate understanding of the science as she's making treatment decisions. Hopefully her cycle will go fabulously, but if not, it's critical to have a good understanding to make informed decisions going forward.

OP here, thanks all! I appreciate all comments and insights.

[Anonymous]

Our issue was unexplained

How many egg retrievals did you have? 10 eggs retrieved
How many blasts/embryos? Only 2 7-day blasts
How long/how many transfers did it take to stick? Those 2 were transferred at the same time, fresh
What type of stim protocol worked for you? Mini ivf
We're did I DO, which I think really helped
Resulted in one healthy 3 year old

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our issue was unexplained

How many egg retrievals did you have? 10 eggs retrieved
How many blasts/embryos? Only 2 7-day blasts
How long/how many transfers did it take to stick? Those 2 were transferred at the same time, fresh
What type of stim protocol worked for you? Mini ivf
We're did I DO, which I think really helped
Resulted in one healthy 3 year old

OP here - love the result! What is "I DO"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our issue was unexplained

How many egg retrievals did you have? 10 eggs retrieved
How many blasts/embryos? Only 2 7-day blasts
How long/how many transfers did it take to stick? Those 2 were transferred at the same time, fresh
What type of stim protocol worked for you? Mini ivf
We're did I DO, which I think really helped
Resulted in one healthy 3 year old

OP here - love the result! What is "I DO"?

Sorry it was supposed to be ICSI

[Anonymous]

Male factor, and we now have two kids after one egg retrieval + icsi + FET. I had two chemicals before the successes, but overall I’m very grateful for how things turned out. We worked with SGF. Best of luck!