https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 02:45:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1621745 Thu, 08 May 2014 14:33:48 +0000 deactivated_account 1621745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsTal: I like your plan of trying supplements and whatnot for three months to try to fix any sperm issues. </p> <p>@Mrs. Pinata: Ugh... so sorry you are having such a tough time with morphology also. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1620744 Thu, 08 May 2014 07:59:09 +0000 MrsTal 1620744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pinata: Our RE doesn't think the morphology is that important. He said it could be a factor but didn't feel it was our answer for the last two years (what is then?) I think we are going to try the supplements for a few months and repeat the SA and save for ivf/try naturally in the mean time. And thank you so much! Your words help so much! It makes me feel a little better about our decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1620669 Thu, 08 May 2014 06:38:05 +0000 Mrs. Pinata 1620669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsTal: your plan sounds perfect. A clinical trial was done on pcnogenol and it's affect on morphology and it had great results. However, it didn't work for DH. He also did a crazy ton of supplements all related to male fertility and his counts and motility improved A LOT, but never that stubborn morphology.<br /> We did talk with a urologist, and found DH had low testosterone and microscopic varicoceles. But, with morphology being the only issue he didn't recommend the surgery and said there was nothing they could do about low testosterone.<br /> But one year ago we started at a new RE and he has been working with DHs hormones and his testosterone is in normal ranges again. And again, his counts and motility are great, but morphology is still at 1%. SO, all that to say, there's definitely a LONG road you could potentially take to "get to the bottom of the problem" , but in our case, it still never helped morphology. But I think we've finally gotten to the place where were done trying various things because the most annoying thing about male fertility issues is that you have to wait 3 months each time to see if it makes a difference! Ugh!<br /> I think trying for several months with supplements, etc. is a great idea. I just don't know how much I would recommend our "getting to the root of the problem" strategy because it's been so long and drawn out. :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1618125 Wed, 07 May 2014 07:12:59 +0000 MrsTal 1618125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsMcD: we are thinking about three months of treatment (our stuff and whatever the urologist suggests) and repeat the SA if there is no improvement we will move on, either to ivf or giving up all together. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1617949 Tue, 06 May 2014 23:28:30 +0000 deactivated_account 1617949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sapphire: your remarks are very encouraging! I like that your doctor doesn't think you need to go straight to IVF. </p> <p>@MrsTal: I'd like to have DH try sine supplements as well. I'm hoping my obgyn will suggest something. Do you know how long you want to keep trying without intervention? I'd like to try forever without intervention but I worry about my age. Also, IVF is such a big step financially and otherwise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1617634 Tue, 06 May 2014 20:05:51 +0000 sapphire 1617634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsTal: Obviously I'm no expert here, but remember that even median (50th percentile) morphology is only 15%. So depending on the count, a guy with low morphology could have the same # of normal sperm as a guy with higher morphology but lower count. That's why I think the opinion varies a bit and why morphology might matter more for some guys (with lower counts especially) than for other guys (esp if very good count). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1617619 Tue, 06 May 2014 20:00:32 +0000 MrsTal 1617619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsMcD: I'm not sure about the plan of action yet, our follow up appointment is tomorrow. He did redo his SA and his count and motility were good but morphology was 1% again. We want a referral to a urologist to see if there is a physical problem. We are also going to try some stuff on our own, supplements and boxers. If it doesn't improve most info I've found on other boards suggest ivf with icsi.</p> <p>@sapphire: there seems to be a lot of conflicting information on morphology in the medical community. Most of what I read suggested that ivf with icsi is recommended for anything below 2%. I'm going to wait and see what our doctor suggests but for me it would make sense if the sperm is malformed that it can't get to or penetrate the egg. Luckily though, there seems to be a lot of stuff that can be worked on to help improve morphology. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1617564 Tue, 06 May 2014 19:49:23 +0000 sapphire 1617564@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH had an SA this month (we had reason to suspect possible male factor issues) which also showed low morphology but normal count, concentration, and motility. We've been trying 7 months and just saw an RE who said she wasn't concerned based on the morphology alone at this point, that she saw plenty of SA's with low morphology who go on to achieve pregnancy without intervention. In fact, she said if we weren't pregnant at a year she'd likely recommend medications for stronger ovulation as the next step (not IUI). Just thought I'd through yet another opinion out there - one that I hope is right! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1616464 Tue, 06 May 2014 13:15:42 +0000 deactivated_account 1616464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsTal: Did your DH redo the SA? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1616450 Tue, 06 May 2014 13:12:46 +0000 deactivated_account 1616450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If there is a mophology issue, what needs to be done? Can supplements help? Or is IUI needed? Or IVF? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1615297 Tue, 06 May 2014 07:46:28 +0000 Sunshine1810 1615297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH doesn't have morphology issues, but he still takes Fertility Blend for Men, especially while we are going through treatment. I have noticed that all of his numbers increase during the months he is taking it religiously! During our last IUI he didn't take anything and his numbers were fine but not as good as we have seen them. He just had another SA before we start IVF and has been taking Fertility Blend again and his numbers were much much better.</p> <p>Good luck to you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1614924 Mon, 05 May 2014 22:10:32 +0000 deactivated_account 1614924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@April_Showers: wow! congratulations!!! thats so amazing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1614898 Mon, 05 May 2014 21:51:41 +0000 April_Showers 1614898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsMcD: it would have been two years next month, so 22 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1614893 Mon, 05 May 2014 21:49:38 +0000 deactivated_account 1614893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@April_Showers: How long were you TTC before you got pregnant? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1600926 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 03:40:10 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 1600926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband has low morphology. There is also a female factor we are dealing with. Going to try supplements for my husband. Can't hurt! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1561761 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 23:03:14 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1561761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsTal: nothing specific...short LP and spotting before AF. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1561738 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 22:34:23 +0000 Mrs. Pinata 1561738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsTal: If all the other numbers were "off" it really may be a fluke. It takes at least 70-90 days for sperm to mature, so if he had something 3 months back (like a sickness or prescription, etc.) it could definitely affect it. We've been through a whole crazy lot of stuff in terms of acupuncture, herbs, supplements, prescriptions to help with Dh's low testosterone, etc without a BFP. But even with his worst numbers, especially because of my age, we would have had a really good shot at IVF w/ICSI working. I don't even want to think about how much we spent in the meantime to AVOID IVF, when it may have just been cheaper and easier to go that route instead.<br /> Of course I'm totally grateful for the route we DID chose (adoption) and we have had such a great experience with Little P that we're adopting again. But, if you guys are open to IVF w/ICSI and feel like you might need it for female issues as well it might be easier in the long run if you go that route vs. trying to get to "the bottom" of the sperm thing like we did. :/ They really can bypass even really awful MF issues that way. I know someone who has gotten TWO BFPs and her DH literally had about a dozen sperm with 0% morphology! So, it's definitely possible. </p> <p>And DH's counts have always been great (sometimes as high as 400 million!), motility has been a mixed bag, sometimes great and sometimes on the low side, but it's the morphology that has always been awful. Blergh. Infertility is so stinky!</p> <p>Anyway, did you read this blog post I wrote? It might help explain semen analysis more. But, it's STILL frustrating that there's no general consensus on morphology! :/ <a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2013/11/18/demystifying-semen-analysis-results/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2013/11/18/demystifying-semen-analysis-results/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1561193 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 19:13:58 +0000 Kelli_Deluxe 1561193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsTal: My husband cut out hard alcohol (he occasionally has a whiskey now) and cut beer to one or two a few nights a week and saw changes. Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1560954 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 18:11:59 +0000 alohaorchid 1560954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsTal: no he didn't, he didn't want to pay for it and the RE seemed to think it would be ok without it. They came out if it with two embryos good enough to transfer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1560881 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 18:00:16 +0000 MrsTal 1560881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: I'm still wondering if there is a female factor there too. </p> <p>@Mrs Green Grass: Did you have any female infertility factors? </p> <p>@April_Showers: That gives me hope! Thank you!</p> <p>@Kelli_Deluxe: He started FertilityBlend for men this week, so we will see if that helps in a few months. He already doesn't drink much but maybe I can convince him to just give it up totally for a while. </p> <p>@Mrs. Pinata: I'm glad you popped in for this. I remembered you had MF but I wasn't sure what. So all your other tests looked ok then? Our first RE didn't even test for morphology because they said the other numbers were so good it didn't matter but now our current RE is saying we might need to go straight to IVF with ICSI (he wasn't completely sure our IUI numbers were a fluke because everything was low, not just morphology). It's really frustrating that there isn't more of a consensus on this issue and it makes researching/finding any information frustrating. I think we are going to have another test done in a few weeks with our new clinic and go from there. </p> <p>@alohaorchid: Do you know if he ICSI with the IVF round? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1558308 Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:46:04 +0000 alohaorchid 1558308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our MFI is morphology and I'm still trying to understand it all. I had a miscarriage a few years ago, so it is possible but there's no telling how long it will take.</p> <p>My husband TTC'd for two years with his ex including 4 IUI's and 1 IVF, all of which were unsucessful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1557543 Wed, 09 Apr 2014 20:26:32 +0000 Mrs. Pinata 1557543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh. I'm so sorry. Actually, morphology is our only fertility issue. DH's numbers have been as "high" as 2% normal, but are usually 0% or 1%. IF his morphology numbers have been higher in the past it could have been a fluke. But, if they are consistently low then it's (unfortunately) an issue. </p> <p>The annoying thing is that the entire urology/fertility world is definitely not in agreement on how important morphology is. I think it's one of the most mysterious part of infertility (especially male infertility). We had a few Drs tell us that it didn't matter and that with DH's (1 urologist and 1 RE) high counts he was still fine, but a few other Drs (1 urologist and 1 RE) that said IVF w/ICSI was our only option. </p> <p>There are definitely stories of people with just morphology issues getting pregnant naturally, even more from people whose DH's take supplements. Unfortunately for us, it has been 3 years, a whole lot of supplements, prescriptions, etc. without improved results. But, it really only does take one!! I just wish that "one" would get a move on!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1557460 Wed, 09 Apr 2014 19:22:59 +0000 Kelli_Deluxe 1557460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@April_Showers: My RE seconded what your doctor said, about low morphology making ivf the best option.</p> <p>However I will add that I know 2 women who's husbands cut alcohol and started taking Fertilaid and saw a DRASTIC difference. My doctor also told me the sample he gives became ready 6 weeks prior, so if he was sick, partying, etc, they will reflect that. Overall it takes about 3mo for new sperm to develop and mature, so if you make life changes or start him on a supplement, expect it to take a little time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1556966 Wed, 09 Apr 2014 15:05:08 +0000 April_Showers 1556966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband had between 0-2% Morphology and a slightly low count. Our RE told us that our chances were slim to none to get pregnant on our own. He seemed to think the morphology was a much bigger deal then anything I found let on. He recommended going straight to IVF + ICSI, he said IUI was more successful with SA counts that may be slightly low and low motility. He broke it down by saying that there were almost 0 normal sperm available to fertilize an egg greatly decreasing the odds. </p> <p>DH's urologist seemed to think the low morphology was no big deal, but also stated that he didn't know for sure. Overall he didn't seem too concerned about it but recommended some blood work to check his hormones (we never did get the results...so we are assuming normal).</p> <p>We actually ended up pregnant naturally and we are shocked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1556828 Wed, 09 Apr 2014 14:33:07 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1556828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband had 4% normal morphology and we got pg through IVF with ICSI...so I do think it has an effect, but it only takes one good one! We had one chemical pg prior to starting treatments. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1556314 Wed, 09 Apr 2014 12:07:01 +0000 BSB 1556314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know. I'm guessing there only needs to be one sperm to make a baby. There's probably a more correct explanation. </p> <p>DH had a morphology of 4%. Still not pregnant. Though, I think it's a female IF factor now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-morphology#post-1556303 Wed, 09 Apr 2014 12:02:58 +0000 MrsTal 1556303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH's last SA for our iui was not good. All his numbers were low but morphology was in the 1.5 percentile (95% had bad heads). We got the results it his original SA (done last April) and this iui to compare. Everything looked good on the first one but they didn't test morphology the first time. They said because it varies so much and his other numbers were good and it's vary rare to have all other numbers be good. Now we are wondering if it's been a MF issue this whole time or if the original SA was right and he just had a bad day for the iui. Any insight is greatly appreciated.</p> <p>Also an FYI thing we are planning on redoing the SA in a few weeks, I just wanted some insight now. </p>