Comments on: Semen Analysis http://www.stirrup-queens.com/2006/07/semen-analysis/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:42:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Foxy Popcorn http://www.stirrup-queens.com/2006/07/semen-analysis/comment-page-1/#comment-59671 Foxy Popcorn Mon, 05 Jul 2010 20:53:53 +0000 http://www.stirrup-queens.com/test/?p=83#comment-59671 I want to emphasize a few of Serenity's tips to: 1. get a Semen Analysis as part of your initial screening - if it is not offered, insist on it. (it is not expensive and can quickly rule out 50% of the problem.) 2. As soon as you identify a problem with your semen analysis, get yourself a referral to see a highly regarded urologist who specializes in male reproductive issues. Don't waste any time with your GP, RE, or a general UR. Do your research, and travel if you must. The day we got the results of our first SA, which showed zero sperm, rank among the worst days of my life. However hope is not lost. Our journey is different than we expected, and we are blessed to live in a time when advances in reproductive medicine offer choices to help us build our family. I want to emphasize a few of Serenity’s tips to:
1. get a Semen Analysis as part of your initial screening – if it is not offered, insist on it. (it is not expensive and can quickly rule out 50% of the problem.)
2. As soon as you identify a problem with your semen analysis, get yourself a referral to see a highly regarded urologist who specializes in male reproductive issues. Don’t waste any time with your GP, RE, or a general UR. Do your research, and travel if you must.

The day we got the results of our first SA, which showed zero sperm, rank among the worst days of my life. However hope is not lost. Our journey is different than we expected, and we are blessed to live in a time when advances in reproductive medicine offer choices to help us build our family.

]]> By: mlr http://www.stirrup-queens.com/2006/07/semen-analysis/comment-page-1/#comment-26367 mlr Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:00:00 +0000 http://www.stirrup-queens.com/test/?p=83#comment-26367 My husband gets to bring his sample in with him the morning of. He's curious as to what he should put the cup in. paper bag, plastic? anyone have any ideas? My husband gets to bring his sample in with him the morning of. He’s curious as to what he should put the cup in. paper bag, plastic? anyone have any ideas?

]]> By: Bea http://www.stirrup-queens.com/2006/07/semen-analysis/comment-page-1/#comment-26366 Bea Tue, 29 Aug 2006 06:06:00 +0000 http://www.stirrup-queens.com/test/?p=83#comment-26366 Not a guy, but partially in answer to the above question:<br/><br/>There is also a Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA - I might have that wording ever so slightly wrong) that can be done as well. It measures the percentage of chromosomal damage in the genes carried by your sperm.<br/><br/>This is not part of a normal SA, and results can be abnormal whether or not your standard SA is ok.<br/><br/>Usually this is not a first-line test, although if going for more invasive/costly treatments (IVF) it might be a good idea to have it done upfront. <br/><br/>We are currently awaiting results for this test because of poor freeze/thaw embryo survival (only 30%) and having had two chemical pregnancies for three transfers (the other being negative, of course). Also, if you have recurrent implantation failure or early miscarriages, this is a good test to request. Basically do an SCSA if anything casts doubt on the genetic quality of your embryos.<br/><br/>If you have a high % of chromosomal damage, there is very little you can do to treat it. However, frequent (daily) ejaculation helps keep those sperm fresh, and TESA or other biopsy-type techniques can get a better quality of sperm.<br/><br/>IMPORTANT: some clinics infer that if you have over 30% damage, you should give up and use donor sperm. As always, things just aren't that clear-cut. You can still use your own sperm, but you have to be prepared for lower success rates.<br/><br/>Bea Not a guy, but partially in answer to the above question:

There is also a Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA – I might have that wording ever so slightly wrong) that can be done as well. It measures the percentage of chromosomal damage in the genes carried by your sperm.

This is not part of a normal SA, and results can be abnormal whether or not your standard SA is ok.

Usually this is not a first-line test, although if going for more invasive/costly treatments (IVF) it might be a good idea to have it done upfront.

We are currently awaiting results for this test because of poor freeze/thaw embryo survival (only 30%) and having had two chemical pregnancies for three transfers (the other being negative, of course). Also, if you have recurrent implantation failure or early miscarriages, this is a good test to request. Basically do an SCSA if anything casts doubt on the genetic quality of your embryos.

If you have a high % of chromosomal damage, there is very little you can do to treat it. However, frequent (daily) ejaculation helps keep those sperm fresh, and TESA or other biopsy-type techniques can get a better quality of sperm.

IMPORTANT: some clinics infer that if you have over 30% damage, you should give up and use donor sperm. As always, things just aren’t that clear-cut. You can still use your own sperm, but you have to be prepared for lower success rates.

Bea

]]> By: The Town Criers http://www.stirrup-queens.com/2006/07/semen-analysis/comment-page-1/#comment-26365 The Town Criers Wed, 02 Aug 2006 17:12:00 +0000 http://www.stirrup-queens.com/test/?p=83#comment-26365 I'd be curious to hear from guys who couldn't treat their male factor IF (how did you know it was the end of the line? When was the heads up?) as well as those who have tried some of these surgeries and not had them successful. What's your advice on next steps? I’d be curious to hear from guys who couldn’t treat their male factor IF (how did you know it was the end of the line? When was the heads up?) as well as those who have tried some of these surgeries and not had them successful. What’s your advice on next steps?

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