Researching male infertility online is frustrating. DH hasn't had a vasectomy and he doesn't have azoospermia. I laugh when I read about someone having male infertility and their sperm count is over a million. I know it's low but we've never had a million in a count, not ever, not once. The highest we ever had was 980,000 and the lowest 9,000.
There's so much information out there about infertility and IVF but it seems like I can never find exactly what's up with us. I want to know that it worked for another couple exactly like us.
Favor: Tell me everything you know about acupuncture and FET. I keeping reading more and more about women who are doing this before their IVF and FET and I feel like I'm missing the boat. I am worried about needles being stuck in me. Did your doctor prescribe it or did you just decide on your own? Please share your experiences! Thanks ladies.
Its Been 5 Years. Wow.
5 years ago
12 comments:
I'm not much help in the male factor area. But I did acupuncture before my IVF cycle and I think it helped a lot. It's supposed to get stagnant blood moving throughout your body. I just went on my own after reading about it online. Try it out!
I have been doing it since 9/09 pretty much weekly and it has helped with stress reduction. Studies have shown that having it done weekly for 6 week prior to a cycle and then prior and post transfer, success rates were higher.
I started going to acupuncture of my own volition, but my RE totally supports it and says he sees better success rates for women that do it. I'd definitely say you should try it out! The needles don't hurt at all - it should just be a weird dull achey feeling of Qi (pronounced chee)
I was so scared to do acupuncture the first time but after one time I was a big fan. I do it for overall relaxation and just letting go of tension/stress. If I do feel a needle (which is rare) it's a teeny tiny pinch and one time I asked the doctor to adjust one...really, it's always been a great experience and I wish I could afford to do it more often. I had a friend going through IVF to tell me about it and recommend someone.
As you know, male infertility is our cause for not getting pregnant. It's sooooo frustrating, isn't it? It's like nothing helps. With women, you can take Clomid or injections to help with ovulation, or this and that, but men...if you have bad little guys, it's hard to make them good.
As for acupuncture...I did it 3 times before my IVF cycle to help with follicle growth. I don't know if it helped, but I produced 19 mature eggs (16 of which fertilized). I didn't like it very much at all, so I decided not to go back for acupuncture treatment before and after the transfer, which is what a lot of women do. For me, acupuncture didn't do much, but I think it was the environment I was in. I could hear the door opening and closing in the hall, I could hear people talking...all very distracting when I'm trying to relax. I had asked my RE what is opinion was and he says he's indifferent. He says it's good, but it's not what will bring a successful IVF. Does it help? His response was...it doesn't hurt. So, there's my two cents, since you asked. :)
I did acupuncture during my first IVF, got pregnant but miscarried. Skipped it for IVF #2 and FET #2, both BFN's. Now I'm trying it again so we'll see what happens.
As for the male issue, seriously try Fertility Blend and cutting out caffeine. Not saying it's the miracle cure but my husband's first SA was 2 million post wash. After making these lifestyle changes (and trying acupuncture like 3 times, he hated it) his count went up to 19 million post wash after about 4 months. It's worth trying at least
We were diagnosed with MF infertility due to sperm morphology. We did an IVF and FET without acupuncture and both were BFN. Gave IFV one more go and this was going to be our last attempt so I wanted to say I tried everything and not have any regrets. First and foremost, it relaxes you which I think plays a big roll in fertility treatments. I did accup. Once a week for about 4 months before our IVF. My egg numbers were about the same and embryo quality was the same as our first IVF but I really think it helped my hormones during that 2WW and kept me calm. If this is your last go, do it! You have nothing to lose...you might always wonder "what if" if the cycle is negative...that's why I did it. PS - find one that specializes in infertility. Mine did and she had a lot of insight on our local fertility doctors, which made me switch clinics.
I think you should give acupuncture a try. Chances are you'll like it. It really relaxes me and helped a lot when my hormones were all out of whack. Now my cycles are pretty much 28-30 days (although I still am not pregnant but whatever). If you can find one that's good and convenient it's worth a shot. At least you can say you tried it (or wouldn't think "what if"). I really like it.
Acupuncture is the best thing that has happened to me on this rough road. It really has helped keep me calm. I had a super awesome response according to 2 different RE's and a couple of well wishing nurses. My husband says it's the best money he's ever spent on me because it has helped keep me centered/sane/calm and that forbidden word "RELAXED" during this whole process.
I have no fear of needles as I am a nurse with 4 tattoos, but I was a little weary of it. After my first session I was hooked. I'm going in just about an hour for my "pre retrieval" session and I can't wait!
If nothing else you get a better feeling all around...It really is worth it...I plan on continuing for a long time...once you're in after your initial treatment, you can go as often or as little as you want (my guy recommends every couple of weeks, but once a month should be fine too).
I think it's worth it!
Sorry can't help on the MF IF...but I have heard that acupuncture can help with that too. My guy helped a woman who had zero ovarian reserve and her husband who had some serious count issues(he didn't give specifics) and they were able after 6 months of treatment to achieve pregnancy.
Good luck!!!
BTW did I mention I love my acupuncture :)
Okay this comment might be super long, because I want to offer up all the info I possibly can.
I started acupuncture a couple of weeks ago (my 3rd session is tomorrow) and I am finding myself more and more relaxed. I am the one that asked my dr about it after my first IVF failed and she said "sure, that would be a good idea".
I am starting an IVF cycle in a couple of weeks and will do a few sessions during stims, as well as a session before retrieval and before transfer.
My friend is doing FET (with donor embryo actually) and she has done 3 acupuncture sessions while on the meds leading up to her transfer. She had an u/s today and her lining is at 15 mm! The RE was in shock, she was in shock. Our RE (we see the same one) said that it's probably the acupuncture. And my friend said her acupuncturist said "I'm working on making your lining extra sticky so the embryos will want to latch on".
Then there is the story of a woman at work in her 40's who I heard tried to have a baby for 10 years. Acupuncture finally did the trick. So in conclusion, I think you should go for it!
I totally agree with you on the male factor infertility front! My husband and I were diagnosed in january and we're about to start our first round of IVF this month. Its been frustrating since IVF is are only option and there isn't a lot of info about it. Let me know what you think about acupuncture.... I've been playing with the idea myself...
The cause of male infertility can be poor sperm morphology, low sperm count or mobility. ICSI is the procedure for Low sperm count and low sperm mobility. Its a pre process of IVF. icsi treatment best secure treatment.
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