Dissapointing test results - doctor not interested!!

[sazzle77]

Hi

Am new to this site and have been really spurred on my reading other people's stories on the messageboards. Have had a disappointing morning!! Have been trying for baby for a year. Been to the doc to chat about hubby's sperm count results. He has 95% abnormal sperm and low motility. The doc said that nothing to worry about and 95% of couples conceive within 2 years and we would have to wait another year. I have a family history of PCO and endometriocis but he won't send me for tests. Is there anything we can do or do we really have to wait another year before we can start more tests. I am 30, hubby 36. It just seems that the doc is trying to "fob" us off as it is clear we have male factor fertility probs. Any help/advice greatly appreciated, feel like we are on our own and doc not interested.

Thanks

 

[Sus]

Is there another GP in the practice you can go and see? You definately need to be referred on to a fetility specialist.

In the meantime get your hubby on some vitamins and get him to cut down on alcohol. Although my husbands count is normal I make him take Vit C, Zinc, Vit E and Santagen Gold.

Sus x

 

[Jule]

Hi Sazzle and welcome

What a shame you had a disappointing doctors appointment, and can I just say, I think your doctor is most definately WRONG!

I am 32, DH (dearest hubby) is 35, we have been ttc for 17 months. DH has 95% abnormal morphology too, however his count and motility are fine. I have had bloods done, which were fine, but no other tests. My GP referred us to the fertility clinic as soon as we got DH's tests results back, and have our first appointment in a couple of weeks.

Can you get a second opinion? Can you not go to a different doctor? In my opinion, female doctors are much better as they have a better (and probably more sympathetic) understanding of fertililty problems. You should DEFINATELY be referred, especially as your DH has had a bad test result, and you have a family history yourself. I just cannot understand why you were told to wait another year. In this TTC business waiting is probably the hardest thing to do! He is right that most couples do conceive within the first 2 years - but that applies to couples who have no fertility problems whatsoever (and probably couples who are a lot younger than us!). Your doctor has reallly made me mad .

If you have no joy and cannot get to see another doctor, I would ask for a copy of your DHs tests results and try to refer yourself. You could always go private although its pretty expensive and you are more than entitled to NHS treatment.

Let us know how you get on. I really feel for you at the moment and totally understand your frustration.

Good luck hunnie

 

[shellbham]

You have a right to be refered for further tests if you have been TTC for a year, sooner if there is a known problem. Which there is as the sperm results are clearly an issue. I think there are meant to be at least 15% normal sperm. Your husband should be sent for another sperm test as the results from only one are unreliable.

I would ask to see a diferent doctor. If this doesn't work i would take a copy of the NHS guidelines in with you, I printed out a copy while we were going through testing just in case. He should be following these and it is wrong that he has sent you away.

We are in a similar situation to you. I have suspected PCOS and my husband has a low sperm count. If you have any questions then i'll try to help.

Good luck,

Michelle x

 

[chellieboo]

You should definately be referred, or at least have 2nd sperm assessment done. go back and argue your case preferably armed with NHS guidelines like Shellbham has said.

I too am in a similar situation to you, I have endometriosis and DH has poor sperm. My Gp wouldn't refer us initially either so i made an appointment with another GP just to specifically ask to be referred.

Don't hang around waiting as there is enough waiting involved once you have been referred anyway.

Goodluck

http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG ... deline.pdf

 

[chellieboo]

pg 13/14..hope it helps

 

[sazzle77]

Thank you all so much for your replies it really cheered me up.

I have made another appt to see my regular GP specifically to ask to be referred. I'm going armed with the guidelines (thanks chellieboo for the pages you pointed out)! These are DH's 2nd results - 1st said he had 98% abnormal, since then he has given up smoking and the 2nd results came back at 95% - an improvement but still not very good. The little fellas are really very lazy though as well!

My next appt is 19th Feb as Doc on study leave, will let you all know how I get on. Am also thinking of getting a private consultation will see how it goes on the 19th first.

Thanks again for your kind words and super advice