Antisperm Antibodies - please help if you know anything about this

[MrsPolly]

After nearly 2 yrs ttc we've been told that the problem is that my DH has antisperm antibodies - 99% of his sperm are affected apparently. I understand these are produced by his own body and attach to the sperm which make them stick together (caused by hernia surgery in the past? - the Dr wasn't clear on why he may have these but it seems once they are there that's it).

We've been advised that IVF (with ICSI) is the best bet.

I don't feel I am really ready to consider this yet for all sorts of reasons. I'd really like to hear from anyone who has has this problem. What were you advised and is there is anything (diet, accupuncture?) that we can do ourselves to help before we start to consider other treatments.
I'm feeling increasingly depressed and like we've hit a brick wall. It seems that chances of getting pregnant naturally are remote (less than a 5% chance each month we were told). Does anyone have any experience of this?

[onetanother]

oh dear could you ask for a second opinion?
good luck with your ttc x

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Has it been determined who is producing the antibodies - antibodies can be produced by either the man or the woman. It is actually more common for a man's body to reject his own sperm though it is not unknown at all for a woman to produce antibodies against sperm in her cervical mucus.

Such things are not caused by injury or a vasectomy; it has nothing to do with these things.
Its an autoimmune response.

If either the man produces antibodies against his own sperm, or the woman does so, drug treatment is often recommended. This is the only recourse for the man, since it is impossible to remove the antigens (sperm) from his body.

I would recommend a long and detailed talk with the consultant working with you as a couple

Diet and accupuncture will not fully address this particular problem.

[MrsPolly]

thanks for replying onetanother, this was his second test and we were seen by the top consultant at a well known fertility clinic both times. We could go to another clinic but I don't know whether starting again will help or just add more delay.

From internet research I have done it seems there are conflicting views as to how to deal with antibodies and no real guidelines - basically assisted conception is necessary. I guess I was really hoping to hear someone say 'we had this but got pregnant naturally regardless'...etc!
x

[MrsPolly]

thanks Attila - I was hoping you'd be listening! Yes it is DH producing the antibodies. The consultant didn't say how this could have happened (he didn't seem interested in exploring the reasons for this at all actually) but just presented us with what the options are.

I understand that men are often given steroids but that whether they work or not is not v conclusive and that the side effects can be nasty. He didn't actually offer us this option.

He suggested we could try IUI first (the sperm washing may remove them??) but chances of success with this are clearly less than IVF.

[onetanother]

hope you find a way to help in your ttc efforts

[MrsPolly]

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