Dealing with azoospermia?

[BettiS]

No sperm found during the TESA this morning. . ER tomorrow with donor sperm. We cried and are ok. We had the donor picked out and at the lab since the fall.

Hi CM

I am SOOO sorry. You must have been so devastated! I wish you all the best with your current endeavour and I REALLY hope things work out the way you want them to and that you will become a mommy again in 9 months!

Not finding sperm is probably our worst fear at the moment...because at the moment we aren't even considering DS and if we don't find sperm (in theory) we will simply accept our fate and get on with our lives. But that's the feeling at THIS stage...who knows how we will feel if it becomes reality. The FS told me in private that he didn't think that there would be any chance of finding sperm since DH's testes are both so small, but that, even if only for closure, it would be worth a try.

We are still saving for TESE...it's equal to one month's salary for me... Bloody ridiculous.

 

[BrandyRelax]

I'm not sure if anyone saw this, but it's my ultimate fear.

https://babyandbump.momtastic.com/assisted-conception/1089663-donor-sperm-iui-ivf-2012-a-24.html#post25683155

For those of you whose hubby had a mTESE, how did you get over the fear that something really bad might happen out of the surgery?

My hubby's surgery is March 5th, so I think this timing is just really freaking me out!

 

[keziah23]

Brandy- I don't know if you "get over it" as much as just say "here is what we need to do" and go ahead and do it.

 

[tulip11]

My question is that if tests of hormones comes out to be normal so does this indicate any hope ?

 

[AuCa]

I'm not sure if anyone saw this, but it's my ultimate fear.

https://babyandbump.momtastic.com/assisted-conception/1089663-donor-sperm-iui-ivf-2012-a-24.html#post25683155

For those of you whose hubby had a mTESE, how did you get over the fear that something really bad might happen out of the surgery?

My hubby's surgery is March 5th, so I think this timing is just really freaking me out!

That's horrible.
I agree with Keziah though - the issue is that there is risks with every medical procedure (or even taking medication), and we just have to accept that and hope for the best.

 

[AuCa]

My question is that if tests of hormones comes out to be normal so does this indicate any hope ?

I know this is probably not what you want to hear, but no, it doesn't really. The majority of men with azoospermia have normal hormone levels. It could mean that there is an obstruction, which can be ruled out by ultrasound and can maybe get fixed.

 

[keziah23]

My hubby's hormone levels were all normal except testosterone which is high (odd) so while abnormal levels can help doctors determine what is the cause of azoospermia, normal levels don't tell much of anything.

 

[Deb111]

Sending hugs and prayers from the azoo support thread to the lovely CanadianMaple after her tragic loss. Our thoughts are with you Becky x x

 

[Jojo27]

Hi all, well we had our follow up yesterday....
It didn't go well, sperm was found but abnormal and not good enough for freezing, so that's the end for us unless we wish to use donor sperm or adopt. I thought I was prepared for bad news but its only when it hit me I realised that I wasn't. DH is fine about it, what will be will be. I honestly don't know where to go from here? All along I was saying no to a donor, but now I just don't know.

 

[Deb111]

My question is that if tests of hormones comes out to be normal so does this indicate any hope ?

It can be a positive sign because if the body has recognised a problem it will try and fix it by boosting various hormones. It may therefore indicate that sperm production is normal but there is a blockage. However it is possible for abnormal blood tests and sperm to be found or normal blood tests and no sperm

 

[AuCa]

Hi all, well we had our follow up yesterday....
It didn't go well, sperm was found but abnormal and not good enough for freezing, so that's the end for us unless we wish to use donor sperm or adopt. I thought I was prepared for bad news but its only when it hit me I realised that I wasn't. DH is fine about it, what will be will be. I honestly don't know where to go from here? All along I was saying no to a donor, but now I just don't know.

Very sorry
I'm like you - not wanting to use a donor, but I also realize that I might change my opinion if it won't be possible with DH's sperm. It's a tough call. It sounds like your husband is ok with either option though, so I would think that helps. Wish you two all the best with your decisions!

 

[SunUp]

Hey JoJo! Its not an easy decision, you have to figure whats right for you two. But there is a very helpful board specifically for donor, if you have questions.

 

[Jimmysrabbit]

I'd like to add my sincere condolences to CanadianMaple - I saw on another thread about your awful news. My heart goes out to you and your family.

 

[Soili]

My question is that if tests of hormones comes out to be normal so does this indicate any hope ?

It can be a positive sign because if the body has recognised a problem it will try and fix it by boosting various hormones. It may therefore indicate that sperm production is normal but there is a blockage. However it is possible for abnormal blood tests and sperm to be found or normal blood tests and no sperm

I might be wrong, but I think out of normal hormone tests would indicate NON-obstructive cause. I don't think one's body can recognize that there's a blockage (unless it's life-supporting system, of course). But it can recognize that some part of hormonal production is lacking and try to fix that by boosting other correspondent hormones?

Like, for example, if there's a blockage in Fallopian tubes, it won't show on any of the blood tests. But if there's an issue with egg production (ovulation) or egg quality, hormone levels would be out of normal range. Female and male reproductive systems are quite similar, to certain extend, of course.

 

[Jimmysrabbit]

JoJo - I am so sorry your results were not good. Give yourself some time to consider your options

 

[Verity Belle]

Saw the news about CM, so unbelievably sad, thought and prayer sent.

Jojo27 sorry tor results weren't what you hoped for, take a breath, consider your choices and give yourselves time to absorb the news. My hubby and I are probably going to head down the donor route, mostly his choice tbh at this stage. chin up x

 

[Deb111]

My question is that if tests of hormones comes out to be normal so does this indicate any hope ?

It can be a positive sign because if the body has recognised a problem it will try and fix it by boosting various hormones. It may therefore indicate that sperm production is normal but there is a blockage. However it is possible for abnormal blood tests and sperm to be found or normal blood tests and no sperm

I might be wrong, but I think out of normal hormone tests would indicate NON-obstructive cause. I don't think one's body can recognize that there's a blockage (unless it's life-supporting system, of course). But it can recognize that some part of hormonal production is lacking and try to fix that by boosting other correspondent hormones?

Like, for example, if there's a blockage in Fallopian tubes, it won't show on any of the blood tests. But if there's an issue with egg production (ovulation) or egg quality, hormone levels would be out of normal range. Female and male reproductive systems are quite similar, to certain extend, of course.

I may not have worded what i said very well so will try again

If there is a problem with sperm production ie. non obs azoo, the body recognises the problem and tries to boost certain hormones to rectify it.

In cases of obs azoo where production is normal, there is no production problem for the body to try and rectify hence blood test results are usually fairly normal.

As i said before, this is only part of the picture

 

[Soili]

Deb, we were basically agreeing with each other then

 

[Hpe_1]

Hello ladies,
Two days ago we found out my husband has azoospermia. We are waiting on the blood work. We are in so much shock right now. Hubby is in a state of total shock, he hated doing the SA to begin with b/c well it stressed him out and having to perform it twice he is not one to umm perform on his own if you get what I mean and when my obgyn asked for samples I thought he was going to have an anxiety attack. I wish that guys would show emotion or talk like us girls can. Ugh how did your husbands get through this news? Ugh so many emotions and questions right now. Wishing blood work would come back so we know more.

 

[AuCa]

Very sorry to hear about your diagnosis Hpe_1
Would it be an option for you to go with him when he goes in for his SA (I'm fairly certain he'll have to go again down the road)? Here they allow partners to come and "help"

We haven't got our diagnosis that long ago, so DH is definitely not "over it" yet (and let's be honest - probably never really will be). But it definitely got better. He was really bad for about a month. Still doesn't want to talk about it though, but if that's how he wants to deal with it I'll just accept it.
I think it's just very important to support him, since it's mostly a huge blow to their ego, to their manhood. I'm not completely sure, but I think my husband started feeling better when he realized that the diagnosis didn't change anything for me, that I still saw him as the same man.

Do you have a referral for a specialist yet? Your husband will likely need an array of more tests.