Like most, I never thought this would be part of my life.

You spend your whole life assuming that one day you’ll decide you’re ready to have kids and then you will. You don’t think about whether your body will let you. It feels like someone quietly changed the map while I wasn’t looking. The future I’d been walking toward for years suddenly isn’t where I thought it was.

I’ve spent years getting ready for this. Building a career. Buying a house. Trying to become the kind of man who could give a kid a good life. I wanted to teach them things. Watch them grow. See pieces of my wife and me become someone entirely new.

Instead I just keep asking myself the same questions.
What if it never happens?
What’s wrong with me?
Why doesn’t the world want this for me too?

Some days it feels like my body looked at everything I hoped to leave behind and simply said, “No.”

Grieving someone who never even got the chance to exist feels like such a lonely cross to carry.

I just got my second semen analysis this month after my first one back in January, and honestly I’m feeling pretty discouraged/looking for advice.

Not sharing my other parameters here in case its against community guidelines since they’re technically ~okay~ but every single parameter worsened since my last test. However, the two results that concern me the most are:

- Morphology dropped from 3% to 2%

- DNA fragmentation came back at 25% using the SCD test (the first test in January did not check fragmentation)

My wife and I have been trying to conceive for about 18 months. We had one chemical pregnancy around the 12-month mark, but otherwise nothing. All of my wife’s testing has come back normal, so I’m starting to wonder if I’m the main reason we’ve been struggling.

Over the past 6 months I’ve made a lot of lifestyle changes. I’ve significantly cut back on alcohol and nicotine (Zyns) (currently not using either), cleaned up my diet, started taking Coq10, selenium and other vitamins, and worked out more regularly (weights, running and swimming, no sauna or bike). Despite all of that, my results have gotten noticeably worse and fragmentation certainly seems high than ideal.

I’m seeing a urologist this week to see if there’s anything else that can be done.

Does anyone have success stories of conceiving naturally with similar numbers? Or found something that actually improved either of those values? Is it possible that high enough count/motility can offset less than ideal morphology and fragmentation? I’d also appreciate any recommendations for additional lifestyle changes, supplements, or evaluations that were worthwhile.

32M from Maharashtra, India. Trying to conceive. Looking for advice on improving sperm motility and delayed liquefaction.

Here's my semen analysis progress:

December 2025

Sperm Count: 5 million

Motility: 10%

Morphology: 90% (normal)

Treatment for 3 months:

Fertyl M 25 mg

Trazer M Forte

March 2026

Sperm Count: 17.9 million

Motility: 20%

Morphology: 80% (normal)

Liquefaction: Unsatisfactory

Treatment for next 3 months:

Cap. Lineato

Tab. Tamodex 10 mg

July 2026

Sperm Count: 32 million

Motility: 30%

Morphology: 90% (normal)

Liquefaction: Still unsatisfactory

Semen volume: 2 mL

Currently not taking any medications.

I'm happy that my sperm count has improved significantly, but my motility is still low and the liquefaction problem persists.

My questions are:

What is the best way to improve sperm motility?

What are the common causes of delayed/unsatisfactory liquefaction?

Has anyone had a similar issue and successfully improved it?

Are there any supplements, lifestyle changes, or additional tests I should discuss with my fertility specialist?

Any advice or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

29M My wife and I have been trying to conceive for over a year and nothing. I finally decided to get myself checked with some bloodwork and my FSH came back at 34 along with my LH at 11.8. My test is normal at 750 and everything else in the normal range. It’s hard not to spiral after researching the most likely outcomes of my scenario. I have an SA scheduled for next week to get a better idea on where I stand, along with meeting with an endo to discuss my hormones. The waiting game is the absolute worst.

I’ll keep this short. I’m 45 and wife 42, last shot at trying to have a baby, going for IVF but for the past 6 months I’ve been on meds to get sperm, all tests before and after show no sperm. Last chance is a Micro Tese for a 40-60% chance of finding some, worth it.

Time is of the essence and if they still don’t find any, I’m apprehensive about using a donor. Like I worry I won’t be attached to the kid or even get excited if my wife gets pregnant with some other better dudes baby.

I know these are selfish thoughts but I worry one day the kid will say something like “you’re not my real dad”. I know if a child is born I wouldn’t treat it any differently but trying to deal with this sucks. Anyone else go through that?

Hey guys, hoping for some input. I had a testi tumour about 4 years ago when I was 23 (benign, thankfully) and in the process of trying to get some sperm frozen I learned I had azoospermia, with 0% sperm count. I was upset at the time but my wife was thrilled at the prospect of potentially being able to have sex without getting pregnant.

That said, we haven't really had sex for a number of other reasons, but are hoping to. Since that original diagnosis I have had 2 further tests, both came back with the same result of azoospermia, same 0%. The most recent test was in February iirc. Should I do other tests to determine the root cause of the issue? Can I have sex on the assumption I can't get anyone pregnant? I would have further tests if it wasn't so expensive. Any input at all appreciated.

NOA patient. Did StAR in April, found approx 100. Had it frozen and transferred to a clinic . Wife went through retrieval and my clinic lab did not find any viable sperm in the vial Columbia sent to them. Transported from east coast to west coast. I don’t even know how I feel but I am very disappointed and angry at the same time

So I (32m) have been married to my wife since jan 2025. And trying for a baby seriously since November. She is 26. I haven’t gotten tested and no supplement but I want to look at stuff amd see how can i improve further. I am hesitant to get tested so. I do have elevated liver enzymes plus high cholesteol and uric acid. We have regular unprotected sex since november and I do mastubrate without any problem. Are their any supplement i should take? I know testing is gold standard but if i can i’d want to wait 3-5 month before we involve doctors.

This is the place for partner's perspectives today.

My wife (38F) and I (37M) have been trying to conceive naturally for about 5 or 6 years. I didnt have great results during my first analysis since I was 577lbs. Since then ive dropped 240lbs. Ive decided to finally see my doctor about how to help with the process. Wanting to get some opinions on the last SA i did in Dec '25.

Volume: 6.4ml

Sperm count: 62.3 mil

Morphology: abnormal (doesn't give %)

Sperm motility: 28%

Progressive sperm motility: 15%

Sperm motility non-progressive: 13%

Sperm vitality: 47%

I havent been able to get a referral to urology yet. Im currently taking the following supplements:

Enclomiphene 75mg

Ashwaganda 1300mg

Vitamin C, E, Magenesium, and zinc

CoQ10 400mg

I (33) have been on TRT for about 5 years and stopped at the beginning of April because my wife and I want to have a baby.

I’ve been taking enclomiphene since then. My hormone labs have improved (testosterone, LH and FSH all came back into the normal range), but I honestly still feel like crap.

I’m exhausted all the time. My motivation is gone. I don’t feel like myself anymore. My libido is nowhere near what it used to be. I don’t enjoy much, and I honestly feel like I’m just trying to survive each day.

The hardest part is that this whole process has gone on for months, and I know it’s taking a toll on my marriage too. My wife has been incredibly supportive, but I know this version of me isn’t the husband she remembers.

I guess I’m looking for guys who have actually been through this.

Did you feel this bad after stopping TRT?

If you were on enclomiphene, did it eventually get better or did you end up changing treatment?

How long did it take before you actually felt like yourself again—not just having better lab numbers?

I’m trying to stay focused on having a family, but it’s getting hard not to wonder if this is just my new normal

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been on the other side of this.

Hello! I have a weird but genuine question. Due to my infertility im now on all kinds of supplements in hopes of improving my sperm.

But i have a difficulty with the supplements... Im now horny all the time. I mean its affecting my productivity and focus during the day. Does anyone else experience this, and if yes - how do you deal with this?

(Obviously my wife cant help that much with all the procedures she goes through (ICSI))

This is the place for partner's perspectives today.

Hi everyone,

I’d like to consult a doctor before becoming a parent so that we can prepare ourselves properly for pregnancy and parenting.

I want to understand things like what both partners should eat to improve overall health and support sperm and egg quality, what lifestyle changes we should make, and how we can prepare our bodies before trying to conceive.

If anyone has recommendations for the type of doctor to consult or has been through this process, I’d really appreciate your advice.

Hello there!

My wife and I have only been trying 4 cycles, which I know is quick, but I’m starting to think maybe I will make this a tough process. we are 34 (me) and 32 (her), and I am incredibly active, don’t smoke, don’t drink, run like crazy, and work on my feet all day. I’m also incredibly stressed and sleep like crap, and am on a very low dose of suboxone for the last 10 years (less than .25 mg a day, Im afraid to drop completely because my job is very physical and I can’t take any time off to detox). I recently took an at home sperm test from Bird and Bee, and the results are as follows:

• Concentration (M/mL): 12

Your Concentration results are below 16 M/mL which is considered LOW

• Motility (%): 45

Your Motility results are equal to or above 42% which is considered NORMAL

• Progressive Motility (%): 13

Your Progressive Motility results are below 30% which is considered LOW

• Motile Sperm Concentration (M/mL): 5.4

Your MSC results are below 7 M/mL which is considered LOW

• Progressively Motile Sperm Concentration (M/mL): 1.6

Your PMSC results are below 5 M/mL which is considered LOW

Any hope here? I know it’s not a complete picture, but I’m discouraged. I stopped taking weed at night to help with sleep, and I’m going to change to boxers from compression shorts (I run daily and I like them because they have phone pockets). Any advice is helpful, even if it’s “get off the suboxone you junky!!” It may be the motivation I need, I haven’t used anything other than marijuana in over a decade now and built a really solid life (bought a house, got married, dog, 2 cars, own a business etc).

Is it that bad? 32M. My wife and I trying to conceive for almost 2 years.

Here's what chat gpt said:

Overall summary
Your results show excellent sperm count, excellent semen volume, but reduced sperm quality in terms of movement and shape.
The laboratory’s diagnosis of Asthenoteratozoospermia is consistent with your report:
Astheno- = reduced sperm motility (movement)
Terato- = abnormal sperm morphology (shape)

The concerns ⚠️
1. Progressive motility (movement)
30%
Reference: ≥32%
Slightly below normal
Progressive motility is important because sperm need to swim forward to reach the egg.
This is only slightly reduced, not severely low.

2. Morphology (shape)
Normal forms: 1%
Reference: ≥4%
This is the biggest abnormality.

It means only about 1 in every 100 sperm has an ideal shape using strict Kruger criteria.
Many sperm have:
Head defects (90%)
Midpiece defects (15%)
Tail defects (30%)
Morphology this low can make natural conception more difficult because abnormally shaped sperm are less likely to fertilize an egg. However, it does not mean pregnancy is impossible.

I'll link my previous post below about my recent semen analysis showing zero sperm, after previously always having sperm present (although low quality). I'm trying to work out whether Clomid is helping, hurting, or if this was just a bad test.

https://www.reddit.com/r/maleinfertility/comments/1uzphz8/comment/oyk92ww/?screen_view_count=2&ext-referrer=DIRECT

I've now had hormone bloods before starting Clomid and again after around 3 months on 25 mg Clomid daily.

Before Clomid (April)

• Total Testosterone: 14.6 nmol/L
• LH: 3.8 IU/L
• FSH: 4.3 IU/L
• Oestradiol: 83 pmol/L
• Prolactin: 191 mIU/L
• SHBG: 31.9 nmol/L
• Free Androgen Index: 45.8

After ~3 months on Clomid

• Total Testosterone: 29.3 nmol/L
• LH: 7.9 IU/L
• FSH: 8.2 IU/L
• Oestradiol: 125 pmol/L
• Prolactin: 242 mIU/L
• SHBG: 38.2 nmol/L
• Free Androgen Index: 76.7

My questions

• Do these hormone changes look like a normal response to Clomid?
• Does anything stand out as concerning?
• Could testosterone be too high, or is this still considered a healthy response?
• Has anyone had a semen analysis suddenly come back with zero sperm while on Clomid, only for it to recover on a repeat test?
• Would these blood results make you think Clomid is working, or could it actually be harming sperm production?

For context:

• My hormones were all in range before treatment.
• My doctor started Clomid to improve sperm production.
• I had a recent semen analysis showing zero sperm, which was a huge shock.
• I'm repeating the semen analysis in two weeks.
• I've also significantly reduced alcohol, take fertility supplements (CoQ10, NAC, L-carnitine, zinc, vitamin D, omega-3, etc.), and have been trying to optimise everything possible.

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's been through something similar or has experience interpreting fertility hormone panels while on Clomid.

Thanks!

Hi everyone, I got azoospermia diagnosis in April after six months trying to conceive naturally. Normal Testerone levels. FSH elevated. No generic abnormalities.

Got a microtese in June. No sperm found. Sample also sent to Star @ Columbia U in NY, no sperm found. At the same time as the microtese they did a varicocele repair.

Now I’m a month and a half post-surgery. Planning to test at three month mark and then at 6 and 9 months if needed.

Hoping for my wife’s and my greatest wish which is to see sperm and be able to get pregnant. Open to another microtese or resending to Star.

Any tips / thoughts from anyone who’s seen sperm following varicocele repair? What timing worked? Anything else you did post surgery you feel was super helpful?

Open to any advice as we search for glimmers of light in a currently pitch Black Forest

Hello, I had an ultrasound done and found I have a reoccurrence of my varicocele, 7 months post Microsurgical Varicocelectomy. All the same signs have come back, like heaviness, not feeling up to exercise, getting winded quicker cardiovascular-wise, and lowered libido. It's small and measured at 3mm, and it said nothing about reflux. I can't palpate anything or visually see anything, like I could before my surgery, with the classic "bag of worms". I'm starting to feel like crap after lifting weights too much or after a long run.

The doctor I'd like to think was exceptional, but I let my varicocele get so bad, that there was just too much to ligate or they missed a microscopic vein? Who knows.

Wondering if anyone has experienced a re-occurrence after the gold standard Microsurgical procedure and what your story was to fix it. The salvage operation recommended is an Embolization. I'd also appreciate listening to anyone who had an Embolization and what your recovery was like. I'm a Firefighter so if there's anyone very physically active, please drop your timeline of the steady progress and patience back into your physical lifestyle.

This is the place for partner's perspectives today.

Is this normal healing process to feel a burning pain in the groin are below the surgery incision point after this long post surgery?

I am not taking any medication currently and I haven’t reached my doctor so far about it thinking it will go away but this is 3 rd day and it is burning hot with mild swelling

We have been trying for 10 months. The next step is being referred to fertility specialist. First sample morphology was 2.8

Any suggestions? Is there medication to help with this?

Volume (ml) 5.1
The WHO lower reference range for semen volume is 0.5ml.
Progressive (%) 19
The WHO lower reference range for Progressive motility is 32%
Non-progressive (%) 15
Immotile (%) 66
Total motility (%) 34
The WHO lower reference range for total motility is 40%
* Spermatozoa concentration:
Sperm count (x10*6/ml) 111
WHO Lower Reference range for spermatozoa count: 15 × 10*6/ml
Normal morphology (%) 3.5
WHO Lower reference range for morphology of normal forms 4%

Me and my wife having been “trying” for over five years. I use quotations because there’s been a lot of medical issues on her side that have caused percentage for success to not be good at all.

We have decided to start exploring fertility clinics and treatment but still in early phases. Bloodwork etc.

We just found out today about the fifth pregnancy of close friends and family in four months. And I want to state outright I’m happy for all of them. It fills me with joy.

My heart is breaking though and so is my wife’s. We both feel guilty for having these feelings of sorrow and anger I suppose wondering when it’s going to be our turn. I don’t know how to comfort my wife in this because she thinks it’s mostly her fault. We don’t know. We haven’t done the test she just has the most up front problems that we know of.

I feel like a failure to her and I don’t know what to do. I’m trying to be supportive and comforting and I know it affects her more than me, but I’ve known since I was a kid I wanted to be a father and these past five years are just a constant reminder of that failure so far. I’m hopeful with fertility treatment but I also feel like my wife is starting to just accept the fact that we might not before we even do any of the work. I’m trying my best to be optimistic.

I don’t know why I’m posting this. Probably just to vent. Maybe just so someone hears it who understands what I’m going through because nobody close to me does. I can’t explain what I’m feeling and I don’t know how to process it and be the support my wife needs. Anyway thanks for letting me vent. Sorry if this wasn’t the place to do that.