Putting your husband on supplements

[Anonymous]

HELP! I read in another forum that your DH should take supplements as well. Is this true?

Now, I am stressed because My husband has been taking two olive leaf extract and two licorice root pills a day. Should he stop and just take the olive leaf extract since the licorice root lowers testosterone? I am nervous because we start in July and he's been taking both together.

[Anonymous]

What are you starting in July? TTC? IUI? IVF? Has he already had a semen sample tested since being on these supplements for 90 days or more or did he only just recently start taking them?

My dh had a very severe form of infertility and neither our RE nor his urologist put him on those kinds of supplements. Other than a multivitamin formulated for men, I wouldn’t have my dh take anything that wasn’t recommended by a specialist.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I just read about it on a facebook forum. He hasn't gotten his semen tested. I am so stressed. We start IVF in July. I am going to stop, and only have him take a prenatal.

[Anonymous]

Take supplements only under doctor’s direction. Until that happens he can take a multivitamin, eat healthfully, get enough sleep and exercise.

Sperm counts even in healthy men without male factor issues can be impacted by environmental things like smoking, too much alcohol or caffeine, lots of sauna/hot tub use, and things like intensive cycling etc. If he partakes in any of those he could limit them now. It takes a few months of these habits to produce better quality sperm, whether he he winds up having an issue so it certainly won’t hurt to do so now ahead of a summer cycle. Your RE or his urologist may also Rx certain supplements/meds if you wind up with male factor.

[Anonymous]

How can you be starting in July if he hasn’t had his sperm tested? Isn’t a total work up usually done on both partners before deciding on a treatment course?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Doctor said we can do that in June. Is that okay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Doctor said we can do that in June. Is that okay?

My first cycle was the month after our initial work up, but I didn’t know I was doing IVF yet. That’s what the work up and sperm analysis is for. It seems like you are jumping to a lot of conclusions already. Why is your husband already on supplements? Why do you know you are doing IVF in July if you haven’t even had a sperm analysis yet? I feel like part of the story is missing here. Also Internet forums are not exactly high quality places to get medical advice. Even on Resolve which has some very specific infertility boards, you will read some wacko advice from desperate people.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I messed up. I am so stressed right now. I emailed my RE and I am waiting to hear back. Please pray for us, and keep us in your thoughts.

[Anonymous]

I would ask your RE if he should take anything, but the first thing you need is a semen analysis, even before deciding on IUI vs IVF.

[Anonymous]

PP here - also I would be concerned if you are at a fertility clinic that is scheduling IVF before doing the semen analysis. I would make sure they are following standard protocols and are reputable. I met with an RE 4 weeks ago, DH went in for SA this week, we've both had pre-screening bloodwork and genetic testing done and we have a follow up meeting before scheduling any procedure.

[Anonymous]

If he hasn’t even had a semen analysis yet, what makes you think he needs supplements? If you’re working with an RE and about to undergo IVF, you should not be self diagnosing or treating. Your RE is the one with the expertise, so ask plenty of questions, but follow the RE’s instructions.

I know this is harrowing and you’re desperate to do everything you can to tip the odds in your favor, but those supplements don’t even sound like they’re regulated by the FDA. The best thing I did while undergoing IVF was to join an online message board with other women who were undergoing fertility treatments. We got really close and became important sources of information and support for each other. You need all the support you can get, especially from people who get it.

[Anonymous]

OP here. OMG I said I MESSED UP. STOP WITH THE HATEFUL COMMENTS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I messed up. I am so stressed right now. I emailed my RE and I am waiting to hear back. Please pray for us, and keep us in your thoughts.

What how did you mess up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. OMG I said I MESSED UP. STOP WITH THE HATEFUL COMMENTS.

Hateful comments? Everyone here is offering their best advice. Sincerely, we wish you success and were trying to be helpful. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. OMG I said I MESSED UP. STOP WITH THE HATEFUL COMMENTS.

What is hateful? People are trying to help you here.