Dealing with azoospermia?

[arzoo]

Hi Gem. I am so sorry for you.

You are just another step closer to your dream. If I was you I won't give up if resources are not a constraint. As for dh being under a lot of pain. Well people undergo a lot of pain during child birth that does not stop people from having babies.

When ever I feel low I always think about deb who started this thread and think maybe I will get lucky one day.

Hugs

 

[Mikihob]

Hi Ladies,

I have been following this thread for a while, and it's just so nice to know that I'm not the only one, but at the same time its terrible that its happening to anyone.

I just feel like I'm not coping with all this, and by the looks of it by reading all your posts, My Husband and I have a long road ahead.

In 2009 I had a laparoscopy as I have endometriosis. So when hubby and I started TTC shortly thereafter, and just nothing happened, we both, as well as my Gynae, assumed it was me. Eventually I convinced him to go have a sperm analysis in January 2014. SA came back with 0 count. Since then we have been for all the tests possible (except the genetics).

Results were that he has Non-Obstructive Azoospermia. His hormones are all fine except his FSH levels are 20, Our Urologist said that this indicates possible testicular failure and our next step is a biopsy, with the hopes that we find some sperm in there to freeze, and do IVF / ICSI.

I guess I'm just looking for success stories where they found viable sperm in a biopsy, when he had high FSH levels? My husband has made it clear that donor sperm is not an option AT ALL!!!

At this point, we have decided not to jump to the biopsy, he is taking Staminogro (which is a vitamin for men with low counts, not 0) for 3 months and will do another SA in May, if its still zero, we will do the biopsy. I think its very wishful thinking, but want to give it a chance?

My DH and I started trying knowing that I had PCOS. I took Clomid for 6 months and the whole time we would joke how DH was "doing his part". It was a great way to take the edge off. I FINALLY convinced him to get a SA and sure enough...ZERO. All along he has said NO DONOR. He wants the biopsy so they are his babies. But now, after three months of HCG injections and in the middle of HCG/FSH for 6 months, he doesn't want to do the biopsy. He said that he doesn't want to go through that and have the pain when they might not find anything. He is now accepting and kinda relieved that we have the donor option.

I am sorry that you are in this boat but have comfort in this thread. Over your TTC journey the ladies here will give you strength, support, a shoulder to cry on, hugs when you are down, hugs when you are happy, these women will make the journey feel less lonely. I couldn't have made it this far without losing it if it wasn't for these strong, beautiful women. We are all here for you!!

 

[Mikihob]

Gem I am so, so sorry.

 

[MoBaby]

My DH was the same way. He said absolutely no donor! But we also didn't want to do the biopsy because he had two previous surgeries down there which caused his azo (not the surgery but had surgery due to the issues)...So we finally had 3 different drs tell us it was the sperm that was making us have bad embryos (we would find just enough each cycle to do ICSI) and possibly the miscarriages. DH tried vitamins, clomid, HCG injections and it made no difference in anything, and after 2 years of heartbreak and seeing me how I was he finally decided DS was the way we should go. We were all prepared to do DIUI. But our last little embryo decided it wanted to stick around. So miracles happen but I was content with our decision to just go ahead and do the DIUI. We actually were not going to go with our embryos because of how little faith we had.

Gem: So sorry!

 

[sharon99]

Good luck, Olive!!! I'm thinking of you... and Gem... and everyone else, in all your different stages.

News for me... I got a BFP today. !!! My first ever! I keep looking at it to make sure it's real. Thank you all for your support over the past few months. Crossing my fingers and trying to relax and enjoy.

 

[Olive333]

Good luck, Olive!!! I'm thinking of you... and Gem... and everyone else, in all your different stages.

News for me... I got a BFP today. !!! My first ever! I keep looking at it to make sure it's real. Thank you all for your support over the past few months. Crossing my fingers and trying to relax and enjoy.

Congrats!!! I'm so happy for you!!! What protocol did you use this time around?

I hope I come back in about a week and half with the same news!

 

[sharon99]

I really, really hope so too, Olive!! Good luck with the *&$%(# TWW.

No protocol- my doc wanted to try 3 natural cycles first, then move on to Clomid if nothing. This was our second dIUI.

 

[rdleela]

Congrats, Sharon!!

And best of luck to everyone else!

Gem I hope you are doing OK...

 

[Stinas]

gem - Im sorry! Its hard going through a whole round of IVF to get a BFN. I agree with BUBU…..you have to be super lucky for it to work on the first try. Unfortunately, does not look like too many of us azoo ladies get lucky on the first try. Give your body some rest, then have a chat with your doc to see what you could do next.


I think almost every DH/SO is never on board with DS at the beginning. DH was like no way, we are fine just us, when it came to DS. Once we did get pregnant and we saw no HB's, it crushed DH……thats when he went on board with DS, but for some reason, thats when I was not ready for DS. Thankfully, I listened to myself….decided to use our (with DH sperm from TESE)…….see how it ended up, if it didn't work out, then I was ok with DS. Here we are, 27w pregnant with twins….via DH's sperm.
You both have to be fully on board for DS. Its not an overnight decision.

 

[MBABY2014]

GEM
I'm so very sorry to hear your news!!
Please try to stay strong and positive- one day at a time and you and hubby will figure it out!!
Kisses from ny!

 

[MBABY2014]

How exciting Sharron!!!!! Congrats

 

[deafgal01]

Gem- hang in there. This journey is not an easy one obviously. I hope you take time to rest your body and regroup for next stage.

Sharon-- heartfelt congrats to you!

I have been reading. Just not commenting much lately as it has been difficult for me so been trying to be on Bnb a lot less with so many work hours on my agenda these days. I haven't forgotten about you all. It just has been so hard for me to come in here or think anything baby related because of how long I might have to put it off for to pay down debts before I consider trying again.

 

[babadespls]

[QUOTE
Hey,

I found your post interesting as I feel like we have similar stories. My husband had a zero count on the initial SA's, but then they centrifuged his sample and found 5 sperm total (3 twitching, non-progressive, and 2 non-motile). All hormones normal except FSH is slightly high (although not THAT high). He has one undescended testicle (which is why i think his FSH levels are a bit high as this testicle is in his abdomen and dead). He also has a scortal hernia above his good testicle but the doc said this wouldn't affect his good testicle in anyway). Doc doesn't really recommend a biopsy because he thinks it's unexplained non-obstructive azoospermia. The fact he has some sperm in his semen and high FSH indicated non-obstructive, but he said he couldn't know 100% unless we did the biopsy. What is this vitamin that your DH is on? Something prescribed? My DH is taking Wellman's Conception. He's been taking it for about 2 months and cut out alcohol. It takes 3 months for the body to recognize the changes, so I think we're going to do one more SA in the next month or so. I'm still debating the biopsy. They've basically told us IVF with ICSI and surgical sperm extraction is our only hope, but if it were obstructive azoospermia we'd have way more options. I'd love to hear more details on your story![/QUOTE]


This vitamin that he is taking is called StaminoGro, its basically a vitamin for people TTC, but is by no means a miracle drug (Words from our Urologist).

StaminoGro is of benefit to sperm in that it helps to improve sperm motility, sperm morphology and concentration. It cannot help a male who is completely infertile. It can only help a male to improve his sperm quality, so I don't even know if its worth it, but we are trying anything at this point, and will give it 3 months and do another SA.

Our Urologist explained, that when there are high FSH levels and other hormones levels are fine, it points to testicular failure, but at the same time, he says the statistic is that they find some viable sperm in about 60% of these patients with testicular failure or NOA during a biopsy. So, we will definitely consider a biopsy, if his stats are at all accurate.

I think that its a great sign that there were even 5 sperm in your DH's last sample, and maybe vitamins could improve their quality to be used for ICSI?

 

[bubumaci]

Sharon - HUGE congratulations to you! That's wonderful news

 

[MBABY2014]

Hi there!
I have a similar story
Undecended and hernia surgery at a young age

0 on sperm count!

Just did biopsy abs TESE last week!! Results were good and we are now gearing up for IVF

How high was his FSH- my hubs was 16( slightly high)

Did your hubby have hernia repair? If so- there could be a resulting blockage!!

Go for the biopsy and surgery! It wasn't fun/ but the chance of us having our own baby makes it worth it! He was out a few days from work- but otherwise fine!

Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[MBABY2014]

[QUOTE
Hey,

I found your post interesting as I feel like we have similar stories. My husband had a zero count on the initial SA's, but then they centrifuged his sample and found 5 sperm total (3 twitching, non-progressive, and 2 non-motile). All hormones normal except FSH is slightly high (although not THAT high). He has one undescended testicle (which is why i think his FSH levels are a bit high as this testicle is in his abdomen and dead). He also has a scortal hernia above his good testicle but the doc said this wouldn't affect his good testicle in anyway). Doc doesn't really recommend a biopsy because he thinks it's unexplained non-obstructive azoospermia. The fact he has some sperm in his semen and high FSH indicated non-obstructive, but he said he couldn't know 100% unless we did the biopsy. What is this vitamin that your DH is on? Something prescribed? My DH is taking Wellman's Conception. He's been taking it for about 2 months and cut out alcohol. It takes 3 months for the body to recognize the changes, so I think we're going to do one more SA in the next month or so. I'm still debating the biopsy. They've basically told us IVF with ICSI and surgical sperm extraction is our only hope, but if it were obstructive azoospermia we'd have way more options. I'd love to hear more details on your story!

This vitamin that he is taking is called StaminoGro, its basically a vitamin for people TTC, but is by no means a miracle drug (Words from our Urologist).

StaminoGro is of benefit to sperm in that it helps to improve sperm motility, sperm morphology and concentration. It cannot help a male who is completely infertile. It can only help a male to improve his sperm quality, so I don't even know if its worth it, but we are trying anything at this point, and will give it 3 months and do another SA.

Our Urologist explained, that when there are high FSH levels and other hormones levels are fine, it points to testicular failure, but at the same time, he says the statistic is that they find some viable sperm in about 60% of these patients with testicular failure or NOA during a biopsy. So, we will definitely consider a biopsy, if his stats are at all accurate.

I think that its a great sign that there were even 5 sperm in your DH's last sample, and maybe vitamins could improve their quality to be used for ICSI?[/QUOTE]



See my other message for you!

 

[gem10]

Hello ladies,

Thank you all for the kind words of support. This was not our first go, but our second using IVF/ICSI. I just feel so frustrated after spending the last four months eating organic, following a fertility diet, doing acupuncture, taking vitamins, no caffeine, no alcohol, and no success. Its so damn frustrating. I know it takes many times before you have success, but its a hard decision to know when to stop using DH and consider a donor. Our insurance will cover about 6 trials, which I am truly thankful for. But we have to be careful as we dont want to exhaust all of our attempts and leave without a baby. Its frustrating to have nothing frozen, no embryos, no sperm, nothing. I look at alot of your signatures, and many of you have done many FETs, I guess I'm wondering why we never have any left over? Have your DH had multiple TESE procedures? My H is more than willing to do the surgery again, but he needs lots of time to recover from this one. They literally cut right down the center and were very aggressive this time in hopes of finding lots of sperm. Because of this, he needs a lot more recovery time, which means more waiting, which is even more frustrating.

From here, I think we need to find a specialist for him, because the way they have been doing this just doesn't seem optimal to me. His doctor, a urologist performs the surgery, then gives the tissue to an embryologist at my RE. He then searches to find sperm. Now this man handles ALL the cases, so he has lots of other women to tend to. Therefore, he is just finding what he needs to cover my eggs, and not looking for anything extra. They also keep saying its not worth it to freeze the sperm they find. Then WTH are you choosing to be aggressive to find extra sperm if you're not even gonna look or freeze? It just doesn't make sense.

I'm considering looking into acupuncture for DH. I have heard this can be beneficial in boosting sperm count. Has anyone done this? The hard part is finding one. I have found many in NYC but that commute is just too much for DH to do regularly. It's not possible to work and get to NYC each week. So I will focus my energy on that for now, because I have to do something!!!!

In the meantime, DH suggested maybe doing DS now, giving him time to recoop, then trying again with him in a couple years. I'm considering that option. But I think I want to find a different donor. I'm not sure I really like the person we chose. It seemed that the two places my RE suggested had hardly any options. So, I will also look into other sperm banks as well.

The only thing I can do to keep myself from sobbing is to try to keep busy. I can't get pregnant, but I can damn sure research a way to make sure I can someday!

Other options:
Go on vacation
Remodel our house..I'm thinking a pool!
Make the best of what we have in life now.
Drink!

Sorry for the long post. I am just so frustrated, sad, angry and confused.

Sharon, I am SO very happy for you. You definitely did make the 2ww your bitch! Congratulations to you!!

Thanks again ladies for your kind words and for being there for me. I would be in a much darker place without all of you.

 

[snd80]

Congrats Sharon!!!

Gem- So sorry hon!!! Thinking of you!!

 

[snd80]

Some of you already know, and I hope I will not hurt anyone by posting this, but I got a BFP yesterday too! I am still in shock! I had to buy a digital test just to see it for myself.... Beta was over 200 and they said they like to see 100. Second beta is Monday.

Thank you to all my "rocks" on here that helped me thru this horrid journey to this point, especially Deb!!! She helped so many of us that had no where else to turn with this crappy diagnosis!!!!! She is DEF my hero!!! Dreams do come true; sometimes just at fate's pace. Took us over 12 years to get here!!!

For those of you still struggling, please don't give up!!! And I will always be your azoo sister, baby or not!!!! I will NEVER forget where I came from!!!!!

 

[MoBaby]

gem we were lucky to get frosties our third ivf/icsi cycle. We never did the mtese (too much for dh to endure and he's already had two previous operations down there).. Dh makes just enough sperm for icsi(maybe 25-100 motile per sample). We really didn't change anything the round we got 6 blasts either. It took us 6 transfers to get here now. I feel your frustrations. There is no easy solution which sucks! I think some time off on vacation to enjoy life and each other would be good.