r/maleinfertility

Hi Guys , I am male (30) TTC for almost 2 years. Wife's all reports are normal with good AMH Level. Recently got my semen analysis and harmone , Ultrasound tested for 1st time.

Semen analysis:

Concentration: 1.9Ml

Sperm count: 9.7 Million

Motility: 10 % Slow progressive/ Rapid progressive : 0 / 90% Immotile

Testicular Ultra sound : Normal

Harmone levels

FSH : 22 ( High)

LH : 29 ( High )

TSH : 5.85 ( Slightly High )

Testosterone: 444 ( Normal )

I wanted to understand if anyone has conceived naturally with such low numbers or is their any way to improve the numbers. I don't smoke but do drink every weekend from last 5 years. I don't excercise and diet is poor as well. Urologist has advised to go for IVF ICSI Only as natural conception is impossible.

First off my wife is pregnant!

I'm not the best at putting my thoughts into writing/words so I'm sorry for any potential rambling. I need advice on how to get out of my head and not beat my self up.

But what's getting me down the most is that we had to use donor sperm because I have none. I was diagnosed with kallmann syndrome a few years ago. A little later in life then most do. We tried to use prygnl to boost my testosterone and produce sperm with no luck.

I am beyond excited that we're finally have a baby, but I feel like I have failed. She got pregnant on our first try with IUI

Hey everyone,

Thiv from Hera Fertility here. Thanks to the mods for letting us share this.

National Infertility Awareness Week kicked off yesterday, and we're running 4 free live AMAs with fertility experts this week. Three of them are directly relevant to this sub, so here's the heads-up:

The lineup:

• Tomorrow, Tue Apr 21 · 3:30 PM ET — Preconception AMA Dr. Ron Feinberg (reproductive endocrinologist) + the Fyrtle team on what men should actually be doing before trying to conceive. His health matters as much as hers. herafertility.co/events/preconception-ama
• Wed Apr 22 · 1:00 PM ET — Fertility Supplements AMA Ayla Barmmer, MS, RD, LDN (registered dietitian, CEO of FullWell) on what the science actually says about male fertility supplements, CoQ10, zinc, folate, prenatal vitamins for men — what works, what's a waste of money. herafertility.co/events/fertility-supplements-ama
• Wed Apr 22 · 3:00 PM ET — Semen Analysis AMA Maajid Bhat, PhD — an andrologist and embryologist who reads semen analysis results under the microscope for a living. What the numbers actually mean. Common mistakes. When to retest. What to ask your doctor. If you've ever gotten SA results back and felt lost, this one's for you. herafertility.co/events/semen-analysis-ama
• Thu Apr 23 · 2:00 PM ET — Sperm Donor AMA Danielle Winston and Dr. Paige Kennedy-Winston from SeedScout for anyone navigating severe male factor infertility and considering donor options. herafertility.co/events/sperm-donor-ama

Details:

• All free, please sign up to get the link to join.
• Can ask questions here or on the live session. Prefer to have them beforehand.
• 30 min each, bring questions.
• Can watch the recording after if you can't make it live.

Full lineup: herafertility.co/events/infertility-awareness-week

Happy to answer questions here. Thanks, mods, for allowing this — and for the community you've built.

M24, struggling with fertility (2m) . Just had an ultra scan to check for varicocele and it came back all veins are okay no varicocele or hydrocele can been seen and no abnormal fluids .

The only thing the doctor taking scan noted that there was ‘heterogeneous echotexture due to anechoic cystic lesion in head portion’ in the right epididymis but he said that is no issue or concern for fertility.

Testes size the right testies 40x18x24 mm. The left testis measures 40x17x22 mm.

High fsh in my hormone tests (14.2)

What routes can I take ? Shall I get a second scan or not worth it . Currently just switched to going private so all out of my pocket from this moment on on my fertility journey

Was kinda hoping the cause was varicocele so I knew where I stood and that I could start planning the surgery etc and have some hope for natural birth but now I feel hopeless

Hi all,

Give me all the success stories as I enter my TWW with our first IUI!

I had an SIS, and bubble sonogram to check uterus and tubes, lab work and everything was phenomenal. We've been TTC for 22 months post husband's vasectomy reversal. Hes struggled with sperm motility for some time, hes been on clomid and Anastrozole for about 9ish months.

I took letrozole 7.5MG this cycle and went in on Friday the 17th with 100% confirmed 2 mature follicles one at 21mm and one at 26mm and one in question at 22mm the one in question is not being able to confirm for sure if it was in my ovary or not. We triggered that morning around 10:30a. Hubby went in for sample on Saturday the 18th around 9:45a and we did IUI at 11:30a. His counts was honestly the best weve seen in months or really the whole time. His total progressive motile sperm was 15.1 million at IUI!

Praise the lord. I am trying to be realistic as i know not many have success on their first IUI but I can't help but to be hopeful. God answered so many prayers for us this cycle already I am keeping faith he sees us through the whole cycle.

Give me all your 1st IUI success stories!

My wife (31F) and I (31M) have been TTC for a few months. I recently had a semen analysis and some blood work done, and I’m looking for some objective feedback on our chances of natural conception vs. moving to IUI.

My January 2026 Semen Analysis Stats:

Concentration: 95 Million/ml

Progressive Motility: 10%

Volume: 2.5 ml

Total Progressive Motile Count (TPMC): Approximately 23.75 Million

Recent Metabolic Health Changes:

I have insulin resistance and was previously at a higher weight, but I've made significant progress over the last two months:

Weight: Dropped from 94 kg to 87.6 kg.

HbA1c: Improved from 6.9% to 6.0%.

Vitamins: Corrected Vitamin D (now 89.3 ng/mL) and B12 (421 pg/mL).

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share my situation and get some realistic insights.

I’m a 31M diagnosed with severe OATS (very low sperm count). I recently underwent TESA, and thankfully sperm were retrieved. We proceeded with ICSI.

Out of 21 eggs retrieved:

• 13 made it to blastocyst stage
• 7 are considered good-quality blastocysts

Grades:

• 2 × 4AA
• 1 × 3AA
• 1 × 2AA
• 2 × 4AB
• 1 × 4AB/C
• 1 × 4BB

From what I understand, my wife’s side looks good overall (no major known issues).

I had a few questions:

1. What are the realistic chances of pregnancy with these embryos?
2. Does having multiple AA/AB embryos significantly improve success rates?
3. Are there any tests we should consider before embryo transfer (like ERA, PGT-A, hysteroscopy, etc.)?
4. Any tips or things we can do to improve chances before transfer?

Would really appreciate hearing from others who had a similar journey or from anyone with experience in this.

Thanks in advance 🙏

Diagnosed with azoospermia, nothing found on ultrasound, numbers all a little low, except fsh at 11 likely due to orchiectomy as baby. Im on track to receive a TESE soon, doc said mTESE unnecessary since my numbers seem hopeful, I guess thats what he was trying to get at.

Im extremely nervous since I wont be going under, just local anesthesia. Do they stick a needle in my ball? How is the pain after? Any success stories from a TESE? I already have anxiety and having only one testicle doesn’t help at all. Me and the wife are hopeful, just looking for support from fellow men with similar experiences.

Hey y’all, long time lurker, and thought it was time to share my story.

Been TTC for going on three years, and decided I should probably get checked. Initial SA showed zero sperm, so my urologist put me on Chlomid for six months and redid labs. It had no effect and my latest SA still had zero sperm found.

He said it would probably be nothing but he ordered a DNA test to check my genetics for a root cause. Got the results back and my Y chromosomes are basically nonexistent, despite being a developmentally normal male. As such, the chromosomes that control fertility and sperm production are deleted or malformed, so my chances of naturally conceiving is close to zero.

We are moving towards doing a Micro-TESE, but that’s difficult because with the genetic problem, there’s less than a 5% chance they find anything, and even if they did, if it was viable I’d be passing down my bad Y chromosome so any future son would have infertility as well or have malformed/ambiguous genitalia.

All in all, it’s been a tough week and the only options at this point are likely a donor or adoption. Wanted to share my story in case others have no had the DNA test done, it’s very simple and has been very eye opening. Stay strong, y’all!

Here’s the specific lab note on my results for anyone curious:

RESULT:

ABNORMAL MOSAIC KARYOTYPE

INTERPRETATION:

Chromosome analysis revealed an abnormal mosaic karyotype.

One copy of the X chromosome (45,X) was observed in 8 out of 20 cells metaphase cells analyzed, and one copy of the X chromosome with isodicentric Yq chromosome (resulting in loss of Yq region) was observed in 12 out of 20 metaphase cells. Individuals with this mosaic karyotype may present phenotypes ranging from sterile but otherwise normal males to females resembling testicular feminization, to ambiguous genitalia.

Hello all. I have recently tested negative for sperm in my semen analysis and I am working with a urologist to try to get my sperm back. For background purposes, I was on testosterone for about 10 years. Anyone in or has been in a similar situation and regained fertility? Need some hopeful stories to get me through this difficult time.

>Following up on your recent blood tests. The most significant result was the FSH level, which is the pituitary hormone that signals the testes to produce sperm. It is elevated to 11.1; men who produce normal numbers of sperm have an upper limit of 7.6. This means that your body is *sensing* that you are not producing normal numbers of sperm, and the pituitary is therefore producing more FSH in hopes of signalling the testes to get to work - and yet, the testes aren't able to act on that signal, so no more sperm are being created. This is the definition of premature testicular failure, for which there is no known cause or treatment.

Just received that from my doctor. We're too poor for IVF, and my recent sperm tests were abysmal - with a zero count. This was essentially out of the blue - I went from medical people telling me "oh, yeah, low count is common - totally treatable" to "it's probably too late" in one email. And, honestly, it has left me heavily considering taking a warm bath with a plugged-in toaster.

The rest of the email was basically a "good luck, we can't help you." Should I seek a second opinion? Or is this just kind of the end of the ride?

As someone who has been in here a lot the last couple of months I just want to remind people that there’s always still a chance things work out. My hormones were fine, I had no genetic issues, no blockages, normal size testicles, no drinking/smoking, healthy weight. Yet I had azoospermia as a 28 year old man. It was devastating. I took clomid, every vitamin you could think of just to see if it would help and it was always 0 in my 5 Sperm analysis. I even spent the money and had the STAR test done at Columbia University and still nothing. The MTESE was the last shot and we had success. Total sperm after freeze/thaw was 240 which gives me and my wife a lot of try’s at IVF with the ICSI method. For the guys nervous about an MTESE I want to just say it wasn’t that painful I had the surgery on Tuesday and was at work Friday and it was worth every ounce of discomfort and money. If there’s anyone with questions feel free to ask!

Hi, I’m posting from my wife’s account since I don’t have one and she’s much more active on Reddit than I am. I’m usually just a lurker, but I’ve been reading this community for a long time.

Right now I’m honestly panicking. If you’re willing, I’d like to share my story.

I’m 30 years old. I had surgery for a left varicocele twice: first in 2010 (microsurgery, vein ligation) and then again in 2020 (scleroembolization).

In 2018, when I was 23, I had my first semen analysis with these results:

- Volume: 3.6 ml

- pH: 7.6

- Sperm concentration: 2.25 million/ml

- Total sperm count: 8.1 million

- Progressive motility: 42%

- Non-progressive motility: 20%

- Immotile: 38%

- Normal morphology: 16%

So the quantity was low, but the quality wasn’t that bad.

The issue is now. In December 2025, after getting married and starting to think about having a family, my semen analysis showed:

- Volume: 4.3 ml

- pH: 8.0

- Concentration: 2.10 million/ml

- Total sperm count: 9.03 million

- Liquefaction after 30 min: incomplete

- Rapid progressive motility: 0%

- Slow progressive motility: 19%

- Non-progressive motility: 29%

- Immotile: 52%

- Normal morphology: 2%

I also did further tests:

Hormones & infections:

- FSH: 10.4 U/L

- LH: 7.8 U/L

- Testosterone: 19.00 nmol/L

- Chlamydia: negative

- Mycoplasma / Ureaplasma: negative

- Bacterial cultures: negative

- No mycobacteria detected

Andrology visit:

Suggested: karyotype, Y chromosome microdeletions, cystic fibrosis screening

Scrotal ultrasound:

Slightly reduced testicular size (right: 3.7 cm, left: 3.3 cm)

Conclusion: mild testicular hypotrophy → advised prolactin test and endocrinology visit

Hormonal follow-up:

- FSH: 7.2 mU/mL

- LH: 5.0 mU/mL

- PRL: 11.4 ng/mL

- Testosterone: 3.62 ng/mL

- SHBG: 24 nmol/L

- TSH: 1.87 microU/mL

Endocrinology conclusion:

Pituitary–gonadal axis preserved → recommended genetic testing

Latest semen analysis (a few days ago):

- Volume: 5.0 ml

- pH: 8.5

- Concentration: <2.0 million/ml

- Rare motile sperm observed

All tests were done after 3 days of abstinence.

I’m now waiting for genetic test results.

My question is: why am I getting worse over time? What is happening to me?

I’m honestly scared. I feel like I’m losing the few good sperm I have left. I’m trying to freeze sperm as soon as possible because I’m afraid of losing everything.

For context, I’ve always had a healthy lifestyle: Mediterranean diet, gym twice a week, never smoked, I stopped alcohol completely 4 months ago (but I barely drank before), and I also cut coffee (I used to have one every 2–3 days).

Also, at the moment I don’t have any varicocele. I specifically checked for this very recently with two different specialists, just a few days apart, to rule out any doubt.

Thank you so much to anyone who reads or replies.

I'm 30yo from the UK with Azoospermia.

I am fed up of waiting on the NHS, they seem to not take the condition seriously. maybe due to it not being life threatening.

Anyways decided to go private.

I've got an appointment with Dr Jonathan Ramsay in June. Has anybody else seen him for Azoospermia. Would like to hear peoples experiences with going private for Azoospermia treatment/tests.

I have normal hormones and testes size.

My sperm count is around 2 million for context .

I am being treated in the uk at androlgy hospital. They tested the following

Testosterone. LUTEINIZING HORMONE FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE PROLACTIN.

My Results :

Prolactin: 150mlU/L (Normal range is 86-324mlU/L)

Testosterone: 27.1 nmol/L (Normal range is 8.6-29nmol/L)

Luteinizing hormone: 7.4 (normal range is 1.7-8.6iu/L)

Follicle stimulating hormone: 14.2 iu/L (normal range is 1.5-12.4 iu/L)

Follicle stimulating normal was the only abnormal one . Also the normal ranges I have put as that’s what the doctors notes say not from my knowledges

Now I have to wait for next appointment to see what the process is but what u guys think from This any info on follicle stimulating normal and what part it plays and coudk they be the factor of my low sperm count . I personally thing it’s not but what’s you guys opinion Thanks

Hello everyone! I’m a 30 year old and my sperm count was low, at about 2 million. Motility was poor and the shape of the sperm was abnormal.

Anyways, here was what I tried for exactly three months and the result. Keep in mind, for medical reasons, my doctor told me not to consume vitamin A supplements. I am obviously allowed and encouraged to eat natural foods containing vitamin A, but not in pill form.

I purchased the male fertility power pack from Bird and Be.

Each day, in the morning, I took a 1000 mg vitamin C pill (not from bird and be).

Then, at night I took the following before bed:

2 10 mg zinc pills

Everything in the bird and Be pack except the two green multivitamins, as they contain vitamin A. Because those vitamins had a lot of other beneficial properties I needed, I took Jamieson B complex chewable vitamin, 2 Brazil nuts, and everything else in the Bird and Be packs. The Bird and Be packs contain Coq10. However, they have some sort of ultra power pack with double the amount of Coq10, but it’s much more expensive, so I ordered a cheaper brand of Coq10 which was 100 mg. In addition to the Bird and Be pills, I took this extra 100 mg of Coq10.

With all of this, my sperm count after 3 months is 64 million, the motility is good and the shape is normal.

I also ensured to eat cooked tomatoes 3-4 times a week as I read these help a lot and I ate lots of fibre— oats each morning— not sure if that helped. I took cooler showers and did a power walk about 25 minutes a day.

Obviously everyone will have different results but this seemed to work.

This is the place for partner's perspectives today.

Volume: Result: 1.9 ml

Sperm concentration (count per ml): Result: 64.2 million/ml

Total sperm count: Result: ~122 million per ejaculate

Motility: Total motility: 49%

Progressive motility: 43%

Rapid progressive: 39

Slow progressive: 4

Morphology:

Normal forms: 3%

head-piece defects: 68%

mid-piece defects: 29%

tail defects: less than 1%

Viscosity: Normal

Agglutination: None seen

Round cells: 0.6

Hi all,

I just got my first sperm analysis results back today and was hoping to get some opinions or insights.

This is my first analysis, so I’m not really sure how to interpret everything or what’s considered normal vs concerning. My partner and I have been trying for a baby for around 3 years without success, so this is all a bit overwhelming.

What would you suggest as next steps? Should I contact my GP again to go over the results, and are there any other tests you’d recommend asking for?

Really appreciate any advice or shared experiences, thanks in advance.

My wife and I had our intake appointment at a fertility clinic today. Pretty much just confirmed all my tests that have already been done by the VA. I have NOA with high FSH, about 29 to be exact.

Next they referred me out to a male urologist and discussed what will likely be next. Another semen analysis in about June or July, and more genetic testing, Y chromosome micro-deletion test. The doctor had no appointments until June so it’s going to suck to have to wait. I’m also kinda scared about the micro-deletion test because it’s so damn definitive as to we can proceed with anything or it will just be the end of the line for me. It’s so confusing to me because I don’t know if I should be on any vitamins or supplements since I literally have ZERO sperm. It makes sense that all that stuff can help someone with low numbers or weak swimmers but in my case it seems like that stuff won’t help. Is there anyone with experience in that department that maybe had ZERO and you took something for months and it helped ??

I’m feeling kind of defeated already and it’s just the start of the fertility journey for us, if anyone can help me with any advice I’d really appreciate it.

Another thing I’m struggling with is that they told us if sperm are found and embryos grow, they can do genetic testing to rule out any diseases they might carry and therefore eliminating the growth of those embryos. That doesn’t sit right with me at all being that I am a Catholic and I’m trying my best to live a decent life here. It’s all so heavy. I’m 35 years old and all I have ever wanted was to be a father. Anyway, I have open ears here, thanks in advance!

I am male ( 30) does high FSH in men complete testicular failure and we cannot conceive naturally even through lifestyle modifications.

FSH /LH : 22 / 28

Testosterone: 444

Sperm count: 9.7 million

Motility: 10 percent

Is Micro tese with IVF ICSI only option for us.