Clomid versus IVF for Male factor (preg/chld ment)

iMama · 10-13-2009, 10:56 AM

xposted on the male factor board

DH and I are scheduled for our 1st IVF cycle in November due to due to male factor. DH is 41 and I'm 30. We were able to conceive a son 4 1/2 yrs ago and I have 2 other kids. We've been TTC since 3/05. All of my hormones levels and tests show I'm still fertile. DH has hormone problems related to type 2 diabetes & uncontrolled high blood sugar. Diabetes can lead to infertility. Also, the prescriptions given to DH for diabetes and blood pressure are known to affect fertility.

For awhile, DH had nothing coming out at all-aspermia. Then, by using sudafed for the last 6 mos or so, he's had some. But the count is about 2 mill motile and with good morph. So, even though we've been timing intercourse for 6 months-about 10 cycles for me, since mine are short, we've never got pregnant. The Dr's at our HMO said they wouldn't prescribe anything for his hormone levels except testosterone, which I wouldnt allow, since it destroys your bodies ability to make sperm.

I asked for clomiphene, since it stimulates FSH and sperm and testosterone - indirectly. I was told "no" by his HMO's endocrinologist.

My RE wouldnt prescribe DH hormone therapy either- I think because the likelyhood they'll work is low. We never did iui's, just started saving for IVF. Studies show that men with low T who take clomid get higher counts, but that the pregnancy rates in these men doesn't increase.

Yesterday, my DH's endocrinologist prescribed clomid to him.

Yesterday, we also saved enough money (~$14,500) to pay for our 2 cycle IVF with ICSI.

I feel that clomid has a high chance of working for us, as long as he can tolerate the side effects-which are less for men than women. He'll have to take it for 100 days before expecting a result, since it takes that long for the body to make sperm. At that point, we'd need to keep trying for about 6 months of times intercourse to make sure we're giving our bodies a chance.

So, should I go through with our plan to do IVF or should I wait 9 months and keep TTC??

Any input would be appreciated.

aidan'smom · 10-14-2009, 06:10 PM

Clomid may or may not increase his count. Our doctor told us it usually only helps about 50% of the men. (they are not sure why). My husband took clomid a few years ago and it did not help. Then he took it again this spring and it (or something) brought his count from 5 million to 15 million. So it did help some.

If I were you, here is what I would do. If you are in a huge hurry to get pregnant- do IVF with ICSI. If you can handle waiting 6 months- then have him take the clomid. Then in 90-100 days have a semen analysis done. Have your RE look at it and see what he thinks. The count may he high enough to do IUI at that point.

Cali · 10-14-2009, 07:21 PM

If you've been TTC since March 2005, I would not wait any longer and go forth with the IVF.

iMama · 10-15-2009, 11:46 AM

Thanks Cali and Aidan's mom.
For a lot of reasons, we've decided to proceed with our cycle and I feel at peace with our decision. It's been such a long and sad road for us and I am incredible excited and feel incredible blessed to be able to have the opportunity to go through with IVF (with ICSI)
Thanks!

10-13-2009, 10:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
iMama 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northern CA Posts: 58	Clomid versus IVF for Male factor (preg/chld ment) xposted on the male factor board DH and I are scheduled for our 1st IVF cycle in November due to due to male factor. DH is 41 and I'm 30. We were able to conceive a son 4 1/2 yrs ago and I have 2 other kids. We've been TTC since 3/05. All of my hormones levels and tests show I'm still fertile. DH has hormone problems related to type 2 diabetes & uncontrolled high blood sugar. Diabetes can lead to infertility. Also, the prescriptions given to DH for diabetes and blood pressure are known to affect fertility. For awhile, DH had nothing coming out at all-aspermia. Then, by using sudafed for the last 6 mos or so, he's had some. But the count is about 2 mill motile and with good morph. So, even though we've been timing intercourse for 6 months-about 10 cycles for me, since mine are short, we've never got pregnant. The Dr's at our HMO said they wouldn't prescribe anything for his hormone levels except testosterone, which I wouldnt allow, since it destroys your bodies ability to make sperm. I asked for clomiphene, since it stimulates FSH and sperm and testosterone - indirectly. I was told "no" by his HMO's endocrinologist. My RE wouldnt prescribe DH hormone therapy either- I think because the likelyhood they'll work is low. We never did iui's, just started saving for IVF. Studies show that men with low T who take clomid get higher counts, but that the pregnancy rates in these men doesn't increase. Yesterday, my DH's endocrinologist prescribed clomid to him. Yesterday, we also saved enough money (~$14,500) to pay for our 2 cycle IVF with ICSI. I feel that clomid has a high chance of working for us, as long as he can tolerate the side effects-which are less for men than women. He'll have to take it for 100 days before expecting a result, since it takes that long for the body to make sperm. At that point, we'd need to keep trying for about 6 months of times intercourse to make sure we're giving our bodies a chance. So, should I go through with our plan to do IVF or should I wait 9 months and keep TTC?? Any input would be appreciated.

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10-14-2009, 06:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
aidan'smom 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: atlanta Posts: 66	Clomid may or may not increase his count. Our doctor told us it usually only helps about 50% of the men. (they are not sure why). My husband took clomid a few years ago and it did not help. Then he took it again this spring and it (or something) brought his count from 5 million to 15 million. So it did help some. If I were you, here is what I would do. If you are in a huge hurry to get pregnant- do IVF with ICSI. If you can handle waiting 6 months- then have him take the clomid. Then in 90-100 days have a semen analysis done. Have your RE look at it and see what he thinks. The count may he high enough to do IUI at that point.

10-14-2009, 07:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cali 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 2,290	If you've been TTC since March 2005, I would not wait any longer and go forth with the IVF.

10-15-2009, 11:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
iMama 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northern CA Posts: 58	Thanks Cali and Aidan's mom. For a lot of reasons, we've decided to proceed with our cycle and I feel at peace with our decision. It's been such a long and sad road for us and I am incredible excited and feel incredible blessed to be able to have the opportunity to go through with IVF (with ICSI) Thanks!