Dismal SA for IUI, following great original SA

[Anonymous]

I had my first IUI today and the SA came back awful. They had my husband give a second sample, combined them, and the count was <1 million, post-wash. Basically terrible.

The weird thing is his original SA (last September) was great. I don't remember the details, but all his numbers were well above what they needed to be. Until today I've assumed we have zero MFI.

I'm waiting on a call from the RE to discuss next steps, but has anyone else had this experience? The medical team all seem to think today might be a fluke, but of course my brain is immediately going to a million things that could be wrong.

[Anonymous]

Is he on any medications or supplements? My mind immediately jumps to testosterone.

[Anonymous]

Nope, he just takes normal vitamins. What do you mean by testosterone? A deficiency?

[Anonymous]

I meant taking testosterone as a supplement. It will zap sperm within months.

[Anonymous]

We had an IUI where my husband's previous great sperm wasn't so great. He had let the cup turn on it's side and a lot dies in the lid. I also think he didn't collect everything. They had him give a second sample in house that day. Everything of mine looked perfect that cycle but BFN. Next IUI cycle they had him collect at the clinic and everything looked perfect. I think the bad cycle might have been a fluke. I'm pregnant now 22 weeks from the cycle where he gave the sample at the clinic.

[Anonymous]

Have him practice giving a sample in a small cup. It can be difficult to get everything in and not let some spill (or spurt) out--imagine having to aim while having a big O. And in the process of trying to aim, he could inadvertently tense (and not in a good way) and not all the sperm comes out.

After a few samples that DH didn't get everything into a cup, I made him practice...next round everything made it in.

[Anonymous]

I don't think collection is the issue, especially since he gave the second sample at the office.

My husband's theories about his poor sample are stress and diet. I know he has been stressed about work stuff, so I can buy that. As for diet, he's actually been trying to eat better, work out more, and lose weight. All of those things should be good for sperm production. But maybe a sudden change is sort of a shock to the system? I don't know if that makes sense.