Past the 7 year mark, now we have new issues! Anyone dealt with low Testosterone and low LH?

[maythe4thbewit]

So I've been around here for a few years on and off. I'll try not to bore you with a long back story and I'll try to keep it comprehensive but brief...

So DH and I have just passed the 7 year mark of ttc #1. I had been diagnosed with PCOS in early teens so always knew that it would be a rough ride.

NHS only got us so far, HSG normal, ended up going private a few years back with clomid as at the time I was completely anovulatory and the NHS were ridiculous a year in between appointments and they also lost DHs bloods and semen analysis.Tried three cycles, 50mg no ov, next two where 100mg where I did O but unfortunately didn't catch. Decided to take a break from trying. This was two and a half years ago.

My periods went MIA and I only had one in two years. I started taking MyOva last August as a 'it cant hurt to try thing' and unbelievably my cycles have returned. And are now 34-36 days with clear positive OPKs (I had never had a positive or before ever apart from the two last cycles of clomid). We were delighted with this and decided to start trying casually again, some months our timing was less than optimum but most were ok. Still no bfp.

Hubby has had symptoms of low T for a good few years, NHS drs dismissed his symptoms, wouldn't even test his levels and just offered him antidepressants which he refused.

Anyway fast forward to the last few weeks, we decided to get his levels tested privately because at this point he is miserable, tired, has poor concentration, brain fog and frustrated, constantly, hes never in he mood to BD and can barely bring himself to do it once or twice a week (massive decreaseim what he used to be like a few years back). Which is obviously less than ideal.

So, testosterone comes back as way low, like crazy low for his age.

Dr orders full hormone panel which shows his testosterone and free testosterone again is extremely low and his LH is also low. All his other values came back normal so dr is fairly confident that its secondary hypogonadism.

We are relived that the problem has been found but the options arent looking great. We have a few options, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) alone which is highly likely to make him infertile.

Testosterone replacement therapy alongside HCG and maybe adding HMG further down the road is necessary (tons of recent studies on TRT and HCG), this has been shown to treat the low T whilst retaining and in some cases improving fertility and sperm count.

Third option is IVF which we could never afford privately (we can just about afford the second option which is a reoccurring 200 quid a month without repeated bloods as necessary, along with the 500 we just paid for the consultation and initial diagnosis etc). And also neither of us are keen on ivf. I just have it in my head that's its extremely invasive and not highly successful.

The plan for now is getting him on the TRT and HCG and do a semen analysis in 6 months time to see where things are in that regards. If the results are bad then we will continue for another 6 months to give it chance, if no change or a worsening we will discontinue the TRT and just use the HCG alone or maybe alongside clomid or another SERM.

If no pregnancy in two years we will start the adoption process. Neither of us are keen on using donor sperm/ eggs. We just have the mindset that although it would be nice to have our own biological children, there are many children out there who need loving stable homes so I think this will be it for us.

Just looking for advice has anyone dealt with this type of Male Infertility?I have tons of knowledge and experience with the PCOS side of things and I'm glad it seems to be under control for me. I'm just upset as I feel like we've been dealt another blow. I guess this is also a vent from me.

Thanks for reading and if anyone has advice and or experience I would be very grateful.

Thanks
A

 

[Lollypop79]

Hey. My fiancé was diagnosed with extremely low testosterone. He was given trt. He couldn’t handle the injections or the tablets so ended up with the gel that you apply to different parts of the body. He had bad depression, none existent see drive, anger issues, foggy mind, headaches. Tiredness just to emotion a few. Over time his testosterone levels increased. He was also on antidepressants as he was very low.
Not long after we started trying for a baby. Everything said it affects fertility but without it we literally wouldn’t have sex. He was like a different man on the trt. He did stop the antidepressants. They never looked further into what was causing it. Doctors just weren’t bothered. I do believe his sperm was affected by either the initial low testosterone or the trt. His levels were ok amount wise. Slightly low for count but morphology was only 3% normal. Under 4 should be investigated but again the doctors weren’t bothered.

I def think without the trt and just keep trying (as well as added selenium he took with wellmans conception for men) we wouldn’t be pregnant now. I know I don’t have any issues like you but there is hope. Maybes hey him a sperm count done after trt to check levels and see what working with. Not sure if I have helped but good luck x

 

[SugaryIris]

Hi hun, I don’t have any experience with this but didn’t want to read and run.

I also have pcos and no first hand how rough the postcode lottery can be as we don’t get any assistance either.

I hope now the clinic have identified the problem and your cycles are more regular that you get your bfp x

 

[maythe4thbewit]

Hey. My fiancé was diagnosed with extremely low testosterone. He was given trt. He couldn’t handle the injections or the tablets so ended up with the gel that you apply to different parts of the body. He had bad depression, none existent see drive, anger issues, foggy mind, headaches. Tiredness just to emotion a few. Over time his testosterone levels increased. He was also on antidepressants as he was very low.
Not long after we started trying for a baby. Everything said it affects fertility but without it we literally wouldn’t have sex. He was like a different man on the trt. He did stop the antidepressants. They never looked further into what was causing it. Doctors just weren’t bothered. I do believe his sperm was affected by either the initial low testosterone or the trt. His levels were ok amount wise. Slightly low for count but morphology was only 3% normal. Under 4 should be investigated but again the doctors weren’t bothered.

I def think without the trt and just keep trying (as well as added selenium he took with wellmans conception for men) we wouldn’t be pregnant now. I know I don’t have any issues like you but there is hope. Maybes hey him a sperm count done after trt to check levels and see what working with. Not sure if I have helped but good luck x

Thanks for the reply. Yeah plan is to get a SA 6 months into treatment to check his count, motility etc.

Out of curiosity how long after him starting the TRT did you get a bfp?

Did they not offer hcg along with TRT to try and preserve fertility. His dr said that was standard for those wanting kids.

Thanks again xx

 

[maythe4thbewit]

Hi hun, I don’t have any experience with this but didn’t want to read and run.

I also have pcos and no first hand how rough the postcode lottery can be as we don’t get any assistance either.

I hope now the clinic have identified the problem and your cycles are more regular that you get your bfp x

Thanks for the reply. Yeah tbh every dr I've ever been to on the NHS has been extremely negative and unhelpful towards me. Basically said I'd never conceive naturally, wouldn't let me try metformin because of lost 10 stone on my own and said I was to young (this was a good few years ago when we first started investigations, I was about 24 then)

I eventually did try metformin prescribed privately but it did nothing for me at all.

Xx

 

[Lollypop79]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah plan is to get a SA 6 months into treatment to check his count, motility etc.

Out of curiosity how long after him starting the TRT did you get a bfp?

Did they not offer hcg along with TRT to try and preserve fertility. His dr said that was standard for those wanting kids.

Thanks again xx

When he was sorting out the trt and tests we weren’t trying or even thinking about it. He was on it for a year before he actually spoke to me about trying for a baby. He asked the doctors about if needed to come off it etc and if would effect Sperm quality. They said would be fine. After sperm analysis they again said would be one just could take us a while.

When he started the trt and after changing Methods a few times and settling on the gel his testosterone levels improved within a few months as he was being tested for levels. X

 

[Lollypop79]

From trying to getting pregnant it was 10 months, had 1 miscarriage in beginning then took around 7 cycles to fall from there. X

 

[xMillie]

@maythe4thbewit thats amazing news that your cycles have returned. Hope you can get the issues with hubby sorted.

x

 

[maythe4thbewit]

From trying to getting pregnant it was 10 months, had 1 miscarriage in beginning then took around 7 cycles to fall from there. X

That's amazing! Sorry to hear you had a miscarriage, but congratulations on the pregnancy. When are you due?

If you dont kind me asking how long was it before he was feeling himself again?and how long until his sex drive returned?was it a dramatic jump?xx

 

[maythe4thbewit]

@maythe4thbewit thats amazing news that your cycles have returned. Hope you can get the issues with hubby sorted.

x

Thanks Millie!

It's likely to be a few months they've told him before he starts to see any sort of improvement on it. He is also still smoking, to my dismay. He is trying to give up tho, after to previous failed attempts. But the hormone replacement dr we saw a few days ago categorically told him he has to give up! He seems to have taken this on board and reckons this is his last pack. Lol.

When weighing up the pros and cons of starting him on TRT, he dr was like yes it might make you infertile but your not going to have a baby by having sex once a week anyway so...

Think that was a shock to him lol. Although hopefully the HCG does its jobs and keeps his sperm production up and running. Especially with him giving up the cigs! But as the dr said theres no guarantee. But I suppose it's a chance we have to take at this point. Weve been at this for 7 years now. The plan is to treat him for 6 months give it chance to settle and get a SA done then to see how things are and then go from there.

I have promised myself no OPKing for the next six months as there would be no point as it's not going to be a quick fix. Wonder how long the no tracking will last lol. It's so hard.

This MyOva has been a godsend for my cycles tho. It's crazy.

How are things with you lovely? It's been a very long time since I've been on here.

Xxx

 

[xMillie]

Thanks Millie!

It's likely to be a few months they've told him before he starts to see any sort of improvement on it. He is also still smoking, to my dismay. He is trying to give up tho, after to previous failed attempts. But the hormone replacement dr we saw a few days ago categorically told him he has to give up! He seems to have taken this on board and reckons this is his last pack. Lol.

When weighing up the pros and cons of starting him on TRT, he dr was like yes it might make you infertile but your not going to have a baby by having sex once a week anyway so...

Think that was a shock to him lol. Although hopefully the HCG does its jobs and keeps his sperm production up and running. Especially with him giving up the cigs! But as the dr said theres no guarantee. But I suppose it's a chance we have to take at this point. Weve been at this for 7 years now. The plan is to treat him for 6 months give it chance to settle and get a SA done then to see how things are and then go from there.

I have promised myself no OPKing for the next six months as there would be no point as it's not going to be a quick fix. Wonder how long the no tracking will last lol. It's so hard.

This MyOva has been a godsend for my cycles tho. It's crazy.

How are things with you lovely? It's been a very long time since I've been on here.

Xxx

I’m sure the next 6 months will go fast. This whole year sure has. Not tracking is hard. I know I prefer to do opks because I like to know roughly when to expect AF. I don’t like surprised by it.

I just feel stuc. We’ve worked out that it will take roughly 5 or 6 months to save up for ivf, not sure we want to do it all again but we’ll decide when we have the money saved.

Until then I’m going to try and switch off from ttc, going to try take a break from the forums as well after this current cycle.

 

[maythe4thbewit]

I’m sure the next 6 months will go fast. This whole year sure has. Not tracking is hard. I know I prefer to do opks because I like to know roughly when to expect AF. I don’t like surprised by it.

I just feel stuc. We’ve worked out that it will take roughly 5 or 6 months to save up for ivf, not sure we want to do it all again but we’ll decide when we have the money saved.

Until then I’m going to try and switch off from ttc, going to try take a break from the forums as well after this current cycle.

I completely get you.

I haven't been on here for months. And although it's hard to shut off from ttc, I think the break from here had done me good.

I can never really switch of from ttc, it's still kn he back of my head every month even if I know weve missed O. I cant help it.

I'm not sure I want to go down the IVF route. Im not sure if we would even be eligible for NHS funding for it now considering the private treatment we have had already. And there is categorically no way we could afford it. And I cant imagine how draining an IVF cycle would be. I dont think I'm strong enough to go through it, I take my hats off to you.

I'll be thinking of you anyway and keeping my fingers crossed.

Have you considered adopting? I honestly think this will be the next steps for us. Xxx

 

[Lollypop79]

That's amazing! Sorry to hear you had a miscarriage, but congratulations on the pregnancy. When are you due?

If you dont kind me asking how long was it before he was feeling himself again?and how long until his sex drive returned?was it a dramatic jump?xx

Aw thankyou i’m due 29th January, Oh my god it was such a dramatic jump sex wise . He went from not wanting sex in literally years to wanting it couple of times a day. I def think it took a couple of months for mood to change. After that his libido came back. So from getting the right kind and amount 3 months but overall 6 months if you include trying different meds. They need to build it up and not flood you. Xx

 

[xMillie]

I completely get you.

I haven't been on here for months. And although it's hard to shut off from ttc, I think the break from here had done me good.

I can never really switch of from ttc, it's still kn he back of my head every month even if I know weve missed O. I cant help it.

I'm not sure I want to go down the IVF route. Im not sure if we would even be eligible for NHS funding for it now considering the private treatment we have had already. And there is categorically no way we could afford it. And I cant imagine how draining an IVF cycle would be. I dont think I'm strong enough to go through it, I take my hats off to you.

I'll be thinking of you anyway and keeping my fingers crossed.

Have you considered adopting? I honestly think this will be the next steps for us. Xxx

It can be hard to shut off completely from ttc. I feel like I’ve done it a few months here and there over the last 2 years but I’ll try do it for longer. Hopefully I won’t think about it until it comes to possibly doing ivf again.

I think you may be able to get NHS funding still if you can get away with not mentioning any treatment you’ve had privately.

x

 

[maythe4thbewit]

Aw thankyou i’m due 29th January, Oh my god it was such a dramatic jump sex wise . He went from not wanting sex in literally years to wanting it couple of times a day. I def think it took a couple of months for mood to change. After that his libido came back. So from getting the right kind and amount 3 months but overall 6 months if you include trying different meds. They need to build it up and not flood you. Xx

Yeah I get you. Dr is ordering bloods every few weeks in the beginning.

Nice to hear a success story. H&H 9 months to you!xx

 

[Lollypop79]

Yeah I get you. Dr is ordering bloods every few weeks in the beginning.

Nice to hear a success story. H&H 9 months to you!xx

Aw thankyou. Good luck to you. Although it’s worrying low testosterone and the treatment shouldn’t interfere with getting pregnant xx

 

[maythe4thbewit]

It can be hard to shut off completely from ttc. I feel like I’ve done it a few months here and there over the last 2 years but I’ll try do it for longer. Hopefully I won’t think about it until it comes to possibly doing ivf again.

I think you may be able to get NHS funding still if you can get away with not mentioning any treatment you’ve had privately.

x

I know what you mean. I have managed it on and off but it's never far from my kind. I am fed up of people just telling me to relax!

I think we wouldn't get he funding as DH will be on the TRT (for life) and HCG until/if we get a bfp. And we would have to disclose it to then wouldnt we. Testosterone replacement therapy is unheard of on the NHS and medicines for keeping fertility whilst on it seem to be an up and coming thing that the NHS doesn't treat atm. They would literally just offer him antidepressants and viagra which wouldn't solve his problem as he doesn't have ED.

Hopefully after the HCG has had 6 months along with he TRT to work its magic, hopefully his SA will come back ok.

It just feels never ending doesn't it. And I'm surrounded by pregnant women again in work and its driving me mad haha. And to top it off DHs younger sister has just found out shes 22 weeks along. She didn't even know and had no intentions to have a baby as shes quite young and hasn't been with the dad for long, she didn't even realise she was pregnant until 20 weeks. I wanted to scream, but obviously had to smile and hold it all in.

Hopefully one day we will all get a baby of our own in our Arms. Xxx

 

[xMillie]

Fingers crossed that it will work out for you. Would be amazing to get pregnant fast after those issues are fixed x


I know I hate it, I swear I notice more pregnant women about when AF is here. This current cycle is doing my head in. I’m soo ready to take a break. First I thought we wouldn’t be able to dtd at the right time cause hubby was going away. Now it’s CD19 and I haven’t ovulated yet, which unusual for me. Hubbys back tonight so I guess we get some sort of chance? Though I feel like I might not even ovulate now so feel like what’s the point.


Hate ttc x

 

[miamia]

xMillie - Enjoy your "chance"

 

[maythe4thbewit]

Fingers crossed that it will work out for you. Would be amazing to get pregnant fast after those issues are fixed x


I know I hate it, I swear I notice more pregnant women about when AF is here. This current cycle is doing my head in. I’m soo ready to take a break. First I thought we wouldn’t be able to dtd at the right time cause hubby was going away. Now it’s CD19 and I haven’t ovulated yet, which unusual for me. Hubbys back tonight so I guess we get some sort of chance? Though I feel like I might not even ovulate now so feel like what’s the point.


Hate ttc x

Ugh I know. Its all to much sometimes isn't it. Af started for me yesterday. So heavy and painful I want to cry, but bang on time. We missed O by four days this month so I knew it was coming but it's still irritating. Currently clutching my stomach on a night shift. Feeling sorry for myself. Hope you get your BFP soon. I know how draining it is. Xxx