How do I get pregnant if my husband's Viagra isn't doing the job?

October 27, 2011 6:19 PM

My husband and I both want me to be pregnant yesterday. Unfortunately he has ED that is psychologically based and Viagra isn't helping. We both know the longer term solution is more therapy. But right now I need help getting pregnant asap. What do we do? Where do we go for help?

He's on as low a dose of anti-depressants as possible, and takes anti-anxiety meds as needed, which is regularly. His primary care doc prescribed Viagra, but it's not working. We're both physically healthy. What's next? A turkey baster? This issue doesn't seem to be what fertility doctors deal with. I would be so grateful for advice...

posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (11 answers total)

Forgive me if this is obvious, but if he can masturbate into a cup, I would definitely go with a turkey baster - easy and free.
posted by insectosaurus at 6:23 PM on October 27, 2011 [2 favorites]

Assuming that the ED is the only issue, an erection, while a useful application device, isn't really necessary, nor is a turkey baster. A clean set of fingers and fresh ejaculate will do the job. Repeat as necessary.
posted by mittens at 6:33 PM on October 27, 2011 [2 favorites]

Just FYI, even a really low dose of antidepressants can cause issues with this. It may not be completely psychological.
posted by something something at 6:48 PM on October 27, 2011

Hopefully an alternative delivery system will do the trick. But to add to previous good ideas, this issue is something that fertility doctors deal with. If he's unable to ejaculate, there are a number of possible therapeutic avenues. I would expect that they would start with looking at his medication, because they may have a very good idea of alternative medications to recommend to his physician that will be helpful for treating his anxiety and depression, and could also help his ED. If it can't be addressed that way, then another likely treatment would be to retrieve sperm straight from his testicles, concentrate them, and place them directly into your uterus.

Some references:
Treatment for retrograde ejaculation - Not specifically your problem, but this provides information on how they retrieve sperm that aren't getting out via the usual procedure.
and Intrauterine Insemination - Getting them where they need to be.
posted by Made of Star Stuff at 7:01 PM on October 27, 2011

Agreed with the above. But if for whatever reason he is also having trouble getting to ejaculation, this absolutely IS something a fertility clinic helps with. They can remove the sperm directly from his testicles via a needle (I know, eep). It's what they do for men who have had a vasectomy.
posted by lollusc at 7:01 PM on October 27, 2011 [2 favorites]

Yes, a fertility clinic can definitely help, and it's probably less expensive than you expect (and may be covered by insurance). Definitely worth checking out.
posted by judith at 7:31 PM on October 27, 2011

Just a note, when people say "turkey baster method" the usual sperm delivery mode is actually an oral medicine syringe. You can get these for mere cents at any pharmacy, they are a more appropriate size for the volume of semen men produce, and easier to - ahem - insert and get all of the semen out of. I've gotten pregnant three times this way (each time in fewer than 6 cycles), so it definitely works. If he can masturbate into a cup, I highly recommend this method. Bonus: nearly free, doesn't involve anyone else but the two of you, and if you are seeking fertility treatment you can do this easily in the meanwhile.
posted by arcticwoman at 7:38 PM on October 27, 2011 [13 favorites]

Adding to what arcticwoman said, be sure and read Taking Charge of Your Own Fertility if you're going to go with the alternate delivery method. (They also have a website but read the book too.) Great, down to earth information on learning how your body works.
posted by anastasiav at 10:01 PM on October 27, 2011

If your husband cannot ejaculate via masturbation, you can try prostrate massage.
posted by rmmcclay at 12:17 AM on October 28, 2011 [2 favorites]

Adding to what articwoman and anastasiav said, if your husband is able to masturbate into a cup, Taking Charge of Your Fertility will also help you guys time this. This is going to be important to you because sperm in your house is something of a precious resource. You want to cover the peak fertile days, and you may need to aim for the every-other-day schedule that is laid out for couples with low drive, low counts and other similar issues.
posted by DarlingBri at 1:03 AM on October 28, 2011

If the Viagra isn't working, he could also try alprostadil. Not for everyone, since it needs to be inserted into the urethra or injected into the penis. But when I had medication-related ED, the injectable version worked when Viagra/Levitra/Cialis didn't.
posted by The pets.com Mascot at 3:52 AM on October 28, 2011