OLE effect on sperm

[hanseer]

So, we're on our 4th cycle of TTC and, while I know it's hasn't been very long (but feels like an eternity), because we're changing our health insurance DH and I decided to get a jump on getting fertility tests done.

DH got his sperm analysis results back and he has low sperm count - 12M per cc to be exact. Per our test lab >50M is considered normal, however, I've read several articles that show even 20M is considered low-end normal and can result in a BFP. All I know is that we need to populate the spermies.

The results also show a elevated levels of white blood count (WBC). Everything else (motility, volume, morphology) is normal/high end of normal. High WBC typically indicates some sort of bacterial infection and usually is treated with antibiotics. Supposedly, it's common. His doc is conferring with a urologist on course of action, but likely will be put on antibiotics.

Interestingly enough, I'm now more relaxed about TTC. We know what's been going on and we'll have a plan of action. Given that it's just his sperm count and his other numbers looks good, I have faith he'll bring it up. I'll be starting my gamut of tests on day 3 of AF, FX.

I had dropped most of the sway tactics this month except for LE veggie diet, exercise, and folic. We dropped Sylk for Conceive Plus as I'm very dry.

At this point, I just want a healthy baby. I'd love a girl but would welcome a boy too.

DH was taking OLE which he's now dropped. He just started Fertility Blend to help raise sperm counts.

I was actually researching this and across this article that shows OLE reduces sperm count. Granted this isn't statistically significant and it's not on humans, but it's definitely directionally positive.
The effect of a hydro-alcoholic extract of olive fruit on reproductive argons in male sprague-dawley rat (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3941429/)

"Results: The results showed a significant decrease in the weights of the left testicle, seminal vesicle, testosterone hormone, sperm count and sperm motility.....

Conclusion: This study suggests that olive extract may have deleterious effects on fertility factors; therefore, after further studies, it may be used as a contraceptive in males."

I'm not telling anyone to stop OLE, it seems that plenty of ladies have gotten a BFP with it and have gotten pink. If reducing fertility is the basis of swaying pink (which it is on this board), then this'll do it. However, if you've been TTC for a while using OLE and getting BFNs, you may want rethink the tactic.

I could also use some hope: Have other ladies gotten a BFP with low sperm count? Also, have any supplements/meds helped?

[Mum4life]

From what i understand if DH is also swaying on his end, he will be doing it by lowering his sperm count as this sways pink for reasons noone knows. I would assume OLE does lower sperm count which would be why the men are taking it when swaying pink

[hanseer]

Most comments here have stated that OLE is "good for sperm health" but somehow sways pink. It's also been recommended for men >35 (my DH is 37).

OLE reduces sperm count and that maybe why it sways pink for men that have normal/high sperm levels, particularly for younger men.

I realize this is all a big experiment, but wanted to put the info out there to help others decide tactics.

[atomic sagebrush]

:agree: with getting hubby SA! I do think this happened from some sort of low grade infection - yes very very common.

That is NOT olive LEAF extract mentioned in that study, it's from the FRUIT. REad the body of the study, the word fruit is mentioned many times. They are not the same things and have different chemical components. A couple other studies and data have shown OLE increases testosterone and sperm health by virtue of its antioxidant components (so if a man had low sperm quality due to environmental toxins, OLE can help with that) and it's seemed to work for us anecdotally too with several men who had poor numbers getting their wives pregnant while on OLE and others seeing big increases in sperm numbers over in the HT crew.

I have NEVER said that OLE is as good for sperm as some other things out there but I am going to continue to use it. When in doubt, leave it out.

I would avoid Fertility Blend because the ginseng may inhibit cell division and I"m not convinced the Maca is safe. A good men's vitamin (with lycopene if you can find it) + l-carnitine and extra Vit. D is what I recommend.

[hanseer]

Thanks for your comments, atomic. Can you share the studies that show OLE has positive effect on sperm health?

You mentioned that the infection is common, do you know how quickly we could address this? Is getting a BFP in 2-3 mos feasible?

I've read here that low sperm count sways pink. How low is low, without inhibiting conception?

[LacePrincess]

I'm no expert, but just wanted to share that we did our HT cycle with HRC and they wanted hubby on OLE + vit C to help his sperm. So I don't think OLE would hurt male fertility or surely IVF clinics wouldn't be recommending it!

[Essie b]

Hi ladies. Doesn't Liq root raise testosterone? I thought dh&dw should lower their test levels to sway girl? I was going to start dh on this next wk but not sure please help :)

[Essie b]

Sorry i meant olive leaf extract raising testosterone! Any one have any info on this please? :)

[atomic sagebrush]

Thank you for bumping this, I have been looking for this post everywhere.

RE me posting studies - here's the thing. It takes me a ton of time to do, ok? I tried to do it when I came across this thread in the first place but it started taking too long, which is why I accidentally shut it down without posting anything. The fact is, there are some studies on it, but beyond that tons of fert. clinics are using it for sperm health. The info originally came from a doctor. I didn't start using it until DOZENS of people going HT had good results with it. None of them reported any seeming detriment to sperm health. In fact, I've seen several people whose hubbies had bad results on an SA nad got better on OLE.

I'm not here to prove or disprove anything to anyone. I'm just here to pass along the info which is that we've seen good results with OLE for pink and without the harm to sperm count/quality that some of the other supps have. If you don't think it's helping, don't use it.

Infection in men is really common and does reduce sperm numbers in many cases.

[atomic sagebrush]

Hi ladies. Doesn't Liq root raise testosterone? I thought dh&dw should lower their test levels to sway girl? I was going to start dh on this next wk but not sure please help :)

Just to clarify you are talking about OLE. The testoterone doesn't seem to matter, the OLE sways pink for some other reason all together. the original dr. who came up with the idea believed it was some enzymatic thing but we honestly don't know. The reason I recommend it is not because of any study I read or claims by any doctors, it's because I saw people using it and seemingly getting success with it.

DO NOT GIVE YOUR HUSBAND OLE FOR TTC A BOY!!!!!!

[Essie b]

Thankyou so much for your reply we will add this to our sway. Fingers crossed& thankyou again :)