Sperm Questions

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Sperm Questions

by Shannon
(Sious Falls, SD)

Hi Amelia,
Here is the expanded version of my husband's semen analysis:

Count: 214 million/mL
Volume: 2.5 mL
Motility: 87%
Progressive motility: 3 (on a 0-4 scale)
Strict morphology: 11%

Since these results, he has started taking 50 mg Pycnogenol, multivitamin (every other day) and fish oil.

He also takes Amoxicillin every day for acne.

Do you think that the amoxicillin could be causing any problems (he's resistant to stopping it)? Are there any other supplements he should take or ways to improve the morphology or do you think his numbers should be adequate since all the other parameters are so good? Acupuncture for him would be more difficult because of his work schedule and the driving distance, but if you think it could help, perhaps he could at least go on occasion and take herbs that might help.

We still have to run a few more tests on me, but everything so far as been normal. I do ovulate, so I'm hoping we have a good chance of having it happen naturally. (I did get pregnant once before but miscarried.) I'm hoping the acupuncture/herbs will help correct any subtle imbalances I might have and that my husband is producing enough good sperm to get me pregnant.

Thank you so much!
Shannon

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Sperm Looks Good!
by: Amelia Hirota

Hi Shannon,
Thanks for sharing such specific numbers. Your husband's sperm looks very good on paper. I believe the 11% morphology, along with the good count, motility and forward progression is more than adequate to get you pregnant.

I do think that some good Chinese herbs could improve the volume of semen from 2.5 ml to maybe 5.0 ml, which would increase his total count to over a billion sperm. While 2.5 ml is fine, I generally like to see over 3.0 ml in an ejaculation. Volume of semen is related to Yin in Chinese medicine.

There isn't any data that corresponds with Amoxicillin antibiotics having a negative effect on sperm. However, I'm just not comfortable with your husband taking antibiotics for acne long term.

Long term antibiotic treatments have been associated with poor digestion and other health problems. Remember that antibiotics are not discriminating when killing bacteria; antibiotics kill both good (digestive bacteria) and bad (infectious) bacteria.

I think that seeing an acupuncturist that is well versed in dietary therapy, herbal medicine and dermatology may be a good idea to find an alternative method for addressing your husband's acne.

As for you, have you been charting your cycle? If so, for how many cycles? How long is your luteal phase and your entire cycle? How many degrees does your temperature rise at ovulation? Do you get positive OPKs prior to ovulation? What is your Day 3 FSH and your 6 DPO (days past ovulation) progesterone levels? Have you had an HSG to check your fallopian tubes? Have your checked your uterine lining with a hysteroscopy or sono-hystogram?

If you could answer these questions in the comments section, I'd be happy to advise you further. Thank you very much for sharing such precise sperm numbers. This is an area of discussion that I wish to explore further, as I feel that it is not being adequately addressed with medical doctors these days. Best of luck to you!

Sending Baby Dust Your Way,

Amelia Hirota, Licensed and Board Certified Acupuncturist and Herbalist

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Submitted by: Amelia Hirota

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Hi Shannon, Thanks for sharing such specific numbers. Your husband's sperm looks very good on paper. I believe the 11% morphology, along with the good count, motility and forward progression is more than adequate to get you pregnant. I do think that some good Chinese herbs could improve the volume of semen from 2.5 ml to maybe 5.0 ml, which would increase his total count to over a billion sperm. While 2.5 ml is fine, I generally like to see over 3.0 ml in an ejaculation. Volume of semen is related to Yin in Chinese medicine. There isn't any data that corresponds with Amoxicillin antibiotics having a negative effect on sperm. However, I'm just not comfortable with your husband taking antibiotics for acne long term. Long term antibiotic treatments have been associated with poor digestion and other health problems. Remember that antibiotics are not discriminating when killing bacteria; antibiotics kill both good (digestive bacteria) and bad (infectious) bacteria. I think that seeing an acupuncturist that is well versed in dietary therapy, herbal medicine and dermatology may be a good idea to find an alternative method for addressing your husband's acne. As for you, have you been charting your cycle? If so, for how many cycles? How long is your luteal phase and your entire cycle? How many degrees does your temperature rise at ovulation? Do you get positive OPKs prior to ovulation? What is your Day 3 FSH and your 6 DPO (days past ovulation) progesterone levels? Have you had an HSG to check your fallopian tubes? Have your checked your uterine lining with a hysteroscopy or sono-hystogram? If you could answer these questions in the comments section, I'd be happy to advise you further. Thank you very much for sharing such precise sperm numbers. This is an area of discussion that I wish to explore further, as I feel that it is not being adequately addressed with medical doctors these days. Best of luck to you! Sending Baby Dust Your Way, Amelia Hirota, Licensed and Board Certified Acupuncturist and Herbalist

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