I read an article

[TTCinBC]

So I read an article that was actually posted in a thread on here. It talks about how a man ended up having a zero sperm count and they stated it could have been because of a few different things. One being that he has a double hernia surgery as a child.

My DH recently(Feb2011) went through a hernia surgery as well as they repaired a hydrocele(which is in the actual testicle) He is now wondering if he should have an SA done. I told him it's too early to think about that as we've only been trying for a few months. But I'm curious if anyone has ever heard of these 2 things causing low or zero sperm count?

 

[adriansgirl]

i would ask the dr. but i would want one done.

 

[TTCinBC]

Do you think my Dr would think I'm nutso, asking for one so early on? We have only been trying since the end of June

 

[Ash0619]

I've heard it's really smart to have an SA done early. You could try for a year and find out that was the problem all along.
And I heard you don't need to go to your doctor, I think there are home kits available at the pharmacy, which my ttc buddy says are 95% accurate, or you can call a fertility clinic and pay to have it done. I'm not 100% sure, some places might want doctor referrals.
I'm having my DH do one if we're out this cycle- it's only our first ttc. I really have no reason to suspect a problem, I would just like to have that covered just in case.

 

[TTCinBC]

If you dont mind me asking Ash, where about are you? I'm in Canada, and just wondering if the pharmacy's here would carry those. I haven't heard of that, but I also haven't been asking around about them either! If they do, then I think we will give it a go right away.
I was a little surprised that he suggested it at all to be honest. I guess, in my mind, it's not something most men are eager to have to do!

I think maybe if we don't have any luck this cycle(which I'm only on CD 1) then maybe I will at least ask my doctor. Would we need to be referred to a fertility specialist to have that done? Or can I get a requisition for that from my doctor?

 

[Ash0619]

Np! I'm in the US- Oklahoma to be exact.

I typed "Semen Analysis home kit" into google and this site came up:
https://www.fertilityformen.com/products.php

The prices range from $80-$525 dollars.

If you're not comfortable doing the home kit, I would search for fertility clinics in your area and just call them. They will tell you if you need a doctor referral, and actually, I bet they may even tell you of a place that doesn't need a doctor referral, if they do. I'm not 100% sure since I've never done it, but I need to start researching it. I don't really have the heart to research it since I'm still 4 dpo and I feel like doing that research for myself would be admitting this month is out lol. Sounds pathetic to type it out....

I asked a similar question when I first joined this site sometime this month. I'll find it for you, one of the ladies there gave me info and said that they are only about $90 to go to a fertility clinic.

I think it's really sweet of your OH to offer to have it done! I think mine will, especially the home kit, but I don't think he'll be too eager lol.

 

[Ash0619]

Okay hun, here it is! Sorry to keep posting on your thread lol. These ladies had useful info when I asked the same question. And I hope the above post helps you out too if you're interested in getting a home kit!!

https://www.babyandbump.com/trying-to-conceive/731945-getting-dhs-sperm-tested.html

 

[chattyB]

My husband had surgery on a bilateral hydrocele in his teens - he went on to father 3 children with his ex wife. We're having different issues now due to his vasectomy and vasectomy reversal - there's sperm there, we just don't know how much at this point! (SA next month)

Good luck!

 

[confuzzled]

if you dont want to do the test straight away just get him to take iron zinc and folic acid they are suppose to helpxx

 

[TTCinBC]

Thanks everyone! And I think I may get him to try those 2 Confuzzled.
I've never heard about folic acid being good for men as well!

And thanks ChattyB, makes me feel a bit better to hear that. And good luck to you guys too!

Thanks Ash for the site, I will take a look at it later tonight. Might be an option if they are available here in Canada. I have no idea how long it would take to get into a fertility specialist to have an SA done

 

[mommy2lilmen]

If you dont mind me asking Ash, where about are you? I'm in Canada, and just wondering if the pharmacy's here would carry those. I haven't heard of that, but I also haven't been asking around about them either! If they do, then I think we will give it a go right away.
I was a little surprised that he suggested it at all to be honest. I guess, in my mind, it's not something most men are eager to have to do!

I think maybe if we don't have any luck this cycle(which I'm only on CD 1) then maybe I will at least ask my doctor. Would we need to be referred to a fertility specialist to have that done? Or can I get a requisition for that from my doctor?

Here in BC, Im in Delta, by Vancouver...YOU NEED to go to a dr to get a SA. My DH got one done in May 2008, refered by our local fertility gyno. Its really quite simple, Iwould just ask. it cant hurt to ask, right?
Now you could google those at home tests and see. But as far as I know, you can not go into any pharmacy, we know from experience lol
Good luck with it all. I hope everythings A OK.

 

[mommy2lilmen]

ALSO I will add this, a SA is covered in our medical system TTCinBC ..The only thing I think you would need is a refereal to a dr who does those things. I know of TWO so far that do it. Dr Winston Tam and Dr Peter McComb. Dr Peter McComb untied my tubes for me and performed the SA for my DH. DR Tam followed my TTC journey, still is. THey are well known at BCWomens and https://www.pacificfertility.ca/ there are a few others out there but these are two that I know of. ... Take a look. Worth a shot to go forth and ask. Covering all the grounds can get help sooner on, rather than later.

 

[Butterfly89]

Oh... DH had a variocele surgery before I met him! He says they told him it would not effect fertility. I don't know! I think it's me that has the problem, not sure what yet. But hmm.. I wonder.

 

[TTCinBC]

I did some more research and I've read that it's apparently the mesh they use to repair the hernia's that can cause infertility...humm. I'm thinking that if we dont have any luck this month, then I will make an appointment with my Dr and see if she can refer us.

Mommy2lilmen, I'm actually in Vernon. I'm not too sure what it's like here for fertility specialists. But with winter coming, I don't think us traveling down to the coast for an SA is very practical. But I guess we will just have to wait and see how things go. But boy! The things that can cause infertility these days are so numerous!!

 

[whimesy3]

My man had a hernia as a child, and he is able to have children. He doesnt shoot blanks! Dont know if this helps, but there it is.

 

[savannah09]

My OH had operations at aged 18 months and approx 6 years old, he now has Low sperm count (betwenn 3-6 million per ml) and poor motility.

He went to GP 5 yrs ago and had SA done and got a result of 3mil per ml. He had a second SA and again got same result He then got a referral to Urology.
They examined him and basically they cant do anything to help.

At this point we read about vitamins to help improve sperm count so he started taking Selenium and B-12 with iron and zinc.

We have a referral to infertility and thats when he got a result of 6 million per ml after a second SA. He had been taking the vitamins for about 3 or 4 months when he got the 6 million per ml.

Still a long way to go but he is still taking the vitamins.

 

[LilFooshFoosh]

I don't think it would hurt to talk to your doc about it, especially if your DH wants to get it done. If he is so willing to go he might actually feel better, and less pressure, if he knows that he is (or isn't) ok. Personally, I feel more comfortable knowing what is going on with my body, and clearly most women do (as you can tell from the POAS addicts and charting peeps on this site alone), I would imagine it is the same for some men too.

And, like someone else said, it's better to find out now than wait and not find out until after a year. Everything takes time: figuring out there is a problem, figuring out what the problem is, trying to fix the problem, testing to see if it is fixed, etc. Getting a head start isn't a bad or crazy idea, it's smart, and your doctor shouldn't say anything to the contrary.