Q&A: One OPK says I'm ovulating and another says I'm not.

by Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo

My husband and I have only been trying to get pregnant for the past three months, prior to which I was on the pill for a couple of years. I realize that I have probably have not been off the pill long enough to get pregnant. I have three questions.

First, My husband was born with only one testicle. Will this cause a low sperm count? We both want to have a baby, but he is so scared to find out. We are planning on going to the doctor at the end of February.

My second question is if this does cause low sperm count is there anything we can do in the meantime to increase our chances of conception?

My third question is about me. I have been taking daily ovulation tests, every morning I use a lady Q saliva test (microscope) and every afternoon I take an ovulation midstream test. The saliva says I am ovulating, but the midstream says I am not. Also the saliva test shows ferning while I have my period and on days 13,14,15,and 16.

I am so confused. I would really appreciate your opinion.

First of all, a lone testicle usually takes up the slack, but the only way to determine a good sperm count is to count the sperm. I would recommend that your husband do that. But it's unlikely that he's got a low sperm count because of only one testicle.

Second of all, since your ovulation predictors are all over the map, you should ask your doctor to do a progesterone test in the second half of your cycle to see if you're ovulating at all, and you should consult with an advisor of Natural Family Planning. They are experts in all of the other signs like ferning and elasticity of mucus, etc. They can be extremely helpful in assisting you to plot your fertility and are available in almost every town and city.

The Couple-to-Couple League is an official Natural Family Planning organization and has a web site where you can search for a certified instructor in your area. Not only can they help in "getting" you pregnant, but the organization can also design very effective natural contraception after delivery if you're wary of the pill or other artificial means. Natural family planning is so much more than "Rhythm with attitude," but a way to become an expert on your own body, whether the goal is pregnancy or contraception.

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