Let me start off by saying we are in the exact same situation! Our is male factor and we have a 2% chance of conceiving on our own. It was also recommended right off that we go straight to IVF with ICSI

It is a very hard, stressful, emotional, and some times physically painful, thing to go through. Just keep telling yourself it will all be worth it in the end.

We too are dealing with male factor (and my age). I also had no insurance, but I know that if I did not try, I would always wonder what if. We did one IVF with ICSI and it did work, although it is such early days that I could certainly MC. If you are interested, I have written about my journey in my journal. Good luck!

We also have a problem with sperm morphology. My husband only has 20% normal sperm. Since we are only 30 the doctor felt we should try IUI first. We did 3 with Clomid 1st and that was the biggest waste of time and money. We are now doing our 5th and last IUI. These last 2 have been with injectables. If this one doesn't work we are onto IVF. Looking back with all the money we wasted on failed IUI's we could have just done IVF. We don't have insurance coverage for infertility either and if I had to guess we have probably spent $20,000 so far. The way I find to get through this is just focus on the end result. I feel that a family of my own is worth the price, although it does suck. You can always make more money later to pay back the cost, but you can only have children up to a certain point in your life. I wish you the best of luck.

Well, you certainly have your age going for you- that also increases your chances of getting pregnant obviously. You should be able to start ASAP. They started me on menstrual cycle day 3 with Birth Control. 2 weeks later Lupron shots, 10 days after that stimulaton shots. So it's almost a month of just shots before it becomes really involved with appointments and taking time off from work. I took intermittent FMLA for them. Anyway, luckily my ER fell on a Friday so I had the whole weekend to recover. My ET was on a Wednesday and I took the rest of the week; but that was my own decision, wanted to make sure I rested as much as possible. So far our 1st try worked (I'm 6 weeks). We had male factor (volume and motility) and we're both 36 and 38; so "old" in the fertility world. Feel free to message me about any questions!! P.S. At first I freaked out doing this, but once you get started, you find strength you didn't know you had!

We have male factor and had less than 3% of getting pregnant natural. Actually they said it wouldn't be possible, but anything is possible. We did one round of IVF with ICSI. 7 fertilized and 5 made it to ET, but we only transfered 3. We got pregnant on our first try. Good luck and although it is challenging you can make it through.

Hi Kim13,

First welcome! Everyone here is awesome and friendly and you will find more than a few buddies to vent to or cry to.

Second, I want to tell you that I am in the same boat as you! After we got married in 2003, we stopped using contraceptives and I wasn't getting pregnant. We moved to ovulation kits for a year and still, nothing. Finally, I mentioned to my OBGYN that I wasn't getting pregnant...to make a VERY long story short, it was discovered my husband has 5% morphology and is considered "non-fertile." We were also given a low percentage to conceive on our own (2%) and it has been along ride since then.

I felt like I was hit in the stomach when I heard non'fertile. I can not even to begin to tell you the emotional journey we have been on and I could never even to begin to understand how my husband feels. I know he feel like "less" of a man and is embarassed and hasn't even opened up to his closest friends, only his father.

I can only tell you that you can not lose hope and there are many options out there. I am shaking right now when I write this because those first few months were the scariest most traumatic and trying time of our short marriage. I can tell you this, I would not want to go through this with anyone else except him by my side.

There's so much information out there and I would be happy to answer any questions you have. There's just too much to put down right now.

The important thing is that you have identified the problem and you are about to begin a journey that will be filled with very happy times and some very sad times (hopefully really happy times only).

When we first found out about my husbands morphology I cried that first day, that first few hours I was a wreck. But the I sat back and thought about how he must be feeling and I tried to cry in private as much as possible so I could be strong for him. Of course, we are so far into this journey that I can cry in front of him and it's no big deal...but those couple of months are very delicate and remember that men handle this sort of news very differently. So try and be strong for him even though you are dying inside. After our last failed IVF my husband actually confided in me that he was scared I would leave him because he couldn't give me children. How sad is that?

So, now I am officially crying!!!! Anyway, i've gone on way too long but, I just wanted to say I've walked in your shoes and I know exactly what you are feeling...

I wish all the luck on your journey!!!!

oh kim my dear friend I have missed u I'm glad your ok. Well for the most part. We are here for u and just keep hanging on I know it has to feel good having some answers we are still waiting on ours. Would you guys consider a donor?

I am sorry about the results. We have a male factor too (as well as my issues) Today was ER and no motility. My BF is really upset. I think it makes them feel like less then a man. It is hard.

I am not sure about the costs b/c I live in MA and most of our IVF cyles are covered.

I worked during IVF, just taking off the days needed for ER and ET and a few days in between.
The odds of it working vary. They tell us the morning of ET the odds of it working. Last time it was a 40-45% chance it would result in a pregnancy.
Good luck!

We also had MF and did 2 IUI with no luck. We were told to go directly to IVF with ICIS. Because there were no issues with me, I had a better chance of it working the first time which it did. I am 17wks pg. The only time I took off of work was the day of ER and the day of ET. I would schedule my RE appts the earliest possible before work or after work as I didn't want work to know what I was doing.

As for paying, neither of our insurances paid for any part of the IVF so we used some savings and I got a part-time job in the evenings to help offset the costs.

Good luck!

We are in exactly the same boat so I know exactly how you feel. If you need me I'm here.

Kim, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry you're going though this. God will give you the grace & strength to go thru this. In my opinion it usually takes men a bit longer to take it all in. I'll keep you & your DH in my prayers!

We were always classified as unexplained infertility but I just found out at my appt. two days ago that we have male factor infertility. Volume and motility are normal but morphology is very low. The doctor said if it doesn't improve, our only option will be IVF. He recommended a career change for my husband, as he is exposed to chemicals in the workplace. The good thing is, if he gets himself out of the chemical environment the sperm should improve. I was heartbroken when the doctor told me all of this b/c when it's male factor there aren't as many treatment options. I have all of the same questions going through my mind right now as you do. My husband was understandably upset and kept telling me he was sorry. I reassure him that it's not his fault and that I still love him no matter what but I don't think anything I can say can take away his hurt. Even though our chances are low of conceiving naturally, I just keep thinking that all it takes is one little sperm and pray that God will bless us with that miracle we so desire!

Thanks for all of your kind words, advice, prayers, and support! 24 hours have passed and I am feeling great! I am ready to face this and deal with this! My hubby is even coming around too. I will keep you all posted. Thanks, Kim