Dealing with azoospermia?

[AuCa]

Hsg, never needed to get one. I did have ultrasound more than a year ago to check my uterus. They want my blood screened before the iui process. I guess the hsg would come later if after three go at it and no success. No idea.

Really?? That surprises me.
I don't think I know a single person who has done IUI or IVF who didn't have to get an HSG done (besides you now ).

All the clinics I know of here require women to get an HSG before starting any ART cycles. But not sure how it is in the UK.

 

[deafgal01]

The blood screening is required here. Not sure why hsg was not. Maybe it depends on case by case or they are trying to avoid unnecessary expense for me by not forcing me to do that. Who the heck knows? I am curious if other ladies from us experienced same as me.

 

[Chickensoup85]

Is the hsg where they check for blocked tubes? I asked about needing that (or which ever one that checks tubes) and he looked at me funny then pointed out it doesn't matter if they are blocked as they will retrieve the eggs straight from the ovary anyway.

 

[AuCa]

Is the hsg where they check for blocked tubes? I asked about needing that (or which ever one that checks tubes) and he looked at me funny then pointed out it doesn't matter if they are blocked as they will retrieve the eggs straight from the ovary anyway.

Yes, it checks for tubal blockages but they can also see uterus shape/if there are fibroids/polyps in the uterus.
I know that it doesn't matter much for IVF if the tubes are blocked or not, but in certain cases it actually does. It was explained to me that certain conditions (eg fluid-filled tubes) are really bad for pregnancy outcome (lead to early miscarriages), and the same goes for problems with the uterus. And apparently this doesn't really get picked up on ultrasounds.
I'm thinking if I spend 15k on in vitro I better rule out any kind of potential problem beforehand. And like I said - our clinic won't do IVF unless the HSG was done, so I had no choice anyway.

 

[AuCa]

Here is something I found on the internet that explains it:

Why Does Everyone Need An HSG?

Most new patients at Shady Grove Fertility will need to have an HSG test before initiating treatment. Sometimes couples with a known male factor infertility, like a low sperm count, wonder why the test is even necessary. Dr. Greenhouse explains, "We often see couples where both partners have a fertility issue, so it's important to check both partners completely. Otherwise, we might spend precious time trying treatments that won't work because we didn't know of a problem in the uterus or fallopian tubes." The HSG test can detect several kinds of issues, such as polyps, fibroids or scarring in the lining of the uterus, and blockages in the fallopian tubes."

Likewise, patients who are planning to undergo In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) might wonder why a test to look at the fallopian tubes would be necessary, since the IVF process is designed to bypass the fallopian tubes. Dr. Greenhouse says, "Not only is it important to make sure there are no issues in the uterus that could prevent the implantation of an embryo, but there are actually some tubal diseases that have been shown to reduce pregnancy rates when using IVF."

The link is: https://www.shadygrovefertility.com/newsletter/hysterosalpingogram-hsg-vital-diagnostic-tool

 

[MadCatLady]

That makes sense! I guess for me it's not decided whether it's IUI or IVF yet so would need to make sure i function correctly! But i can see why they could recommend it for everyone. I've had bloods too and now all results are meant to be being sent to fertility clinic so hopefully they'll see us now - however my GP frustratingly doesn't seem to know anything!

 

[keziah23]

had our 3 month followup today from Hubby's varicocele surgery and there were swimmers. Still very few (less than 2 mil) but that is NOT zero!!! We both let out a shout in the doctor's office, she was laughing! Followup again in 3 months, she said she has hopes it will continue to improve!
The paperwork now says olgiospermia not azoospermia!!!!!

 

[Mikihob]

had our 3 month followup today from Hubby's varicocele surgery and there were swimmers. Still very few (less than 2 mil) but that is NOT zero!!! We both let out a shout in the doctor's office, she was laughing! Followup again in 3 months, she said she has hopes it will continue to improve!
The paperwork now says olgiospermia not azoospermia!!!!!

Hi keziah23. How did you find out that DH needed a varicocele surgery?? We might have to go that route but hadn't found anyone who actually had the surgery.

Congratulations!! I am so happy for you. You will have a BFP in no time!

 

[keziah23]

we had 2 zero semen analysis and got referred to a urologist who specializes in this kind of thing and she diagnosed it via physical exam and ultra sound. He had repair surgery 3 months ago.

 

[MoBaby]

I never have had a HSG either.. My new RE says I dont need it either b/c when I had lap done for my fibroid last year the dr put dye in my tube and it was normal. (I have one tube only; other one was removed during my lap b/c it was abnormal and not connected to normal uterus).

 

[AuCa]

Great news keziah! I was wondering how you were doing, since we haven't heard anything since weeks (or rather months, lol).

 

[keziah23]

Great news keziah! I was wondering how you were doing, since we haven't heard anything since weeks (or rather months, lol).

I know. Sorry. Things have been crazy, crazy in my family. My mom has breast cancer, my uncle had lung cancer another uncle has bladder cancer, I was in the ER with colitis and ruptured ovarian cyst. I've barely been able to think!!!

 

[Hopeful Cat]

Congrats Keziah! must be great to have some positive news amongst all that sad news!

As for the HSG discussion - I haven't had one done and none of the people that have seen me have even mentioned it I'm meeting with the clinic on Monday so might ask then.

 

[rdleela]

I finally got an appt with a counselor who specializes in infertility so we meet with her June 3rd, then looks like we might start after my AF in June with iui (sometime after June 15th she would be due I believe). Think the dr wants to see us before that to give us a chance to refresh what will happen and provide info as needed. I will get my blood screened either this week or next week as that is a required thing before we undergo any iui treatments.

Yea!!! Getting the ball rolling!!

 

[rdleela]

had our 3 month followup today from Hubby's varicocele surgery and there were swimmers. Still very few (less than 2 mil) but that is NOT zero!!! We both let out a shout in the doctor's office, she was laughing! Followup again in 3 months, she said she has hopes it will continue to improve!
The paperwork now says olgiospermia not azoospermia!!!!!

Congrats! We're in the same boat, just a different surgery was had

 

[MrsG30]

I asked my DR about the test nd it not somethin you automatically have in the UK, only if Dr thinks its needed, i guess its down to cost!!!
I have had ultrasound and lady said my womb and tubes were fine and had all bloodwork so god knows if i will go for further test?!?!?

Can i ask a maybe obvious questions on ovarian reserve or amh??? Im not sure if ive had mine checked, when my bloods came back she said "well your not going though the change of life early" is that what she could have been referring too? I remember bein motified at the time as that have never entered my head, this was before DH azoo diagnose.

Hope your all OK xxx

 

[Stinas]

keziah23 - AMAZING NEWS!!!!!!!

As for the HSG....IT SUCKS!!!!!! It was painful for me, but a year later my doc at the fertility center asked me some questions as to how they did it and shes like, thats the old way, I dont do it like that because its not necessary(the whole clamping thing during HSG).
so if you need one....I suggest having a doctor do it, not a stupid tech like I got stuck getting.

 

[MadCatLady]

I have a question - if there is nothing found to be obviously wrong with me, and we are going to have to use a sperm donor - how do they decide between doing IUI or IVF? Because IVF is more successful isnt it? Or is it a cost thing?

 

[Mikihob]

I have a question - if there is nothing found to be obviously wrong with me, and we are going to have to use a sperm donor - how do they decide between doing IUI or IVF? Because IVF is more successful isnt it? Or is it a cost thing?

That is a question I have had too. I have read a lot of things but nothing conclusive. I would expect they could use IUI if they didn't expect ovulation problems with you. If there was NO chance of you ovulating on your own they might choose IVF because then your cycles won't matter. I am not positive. I am also curious if anyone else know anything.

 

[missMom]

Hi everyone..I am a long time lurker of the boards..here is a little into to me. https://babyandbump.momtastic.com/secondary-infertility/1858137-long-time-lurker.html

You ladies are so helpful and its so nice to be around people who understand. No one in our families know about us TTC or our troubles with it.

Just when I think that I'm strong enough and ok with everything I will see a pregnant lady or a baby and it hurts. I think you guys are the only ones that can understand what i'm talking about.