Infertility in DH

[Hopeful27yrs]

Hello to Everyone - first post

I'm getting married this year to a wonderful man. We found out last year for definite, after pretty much knowing, that he's infertile - in fact he has no sperm. DH was born with undescended testicles (something his father had and had corrected) - however his parents didn't get this corrected and he was left infertile. His mum denies knowing about the problem but if his Dad had the same thing corrected you'd expect them to check this!

DH always maintained he didn't know if he wanted children - but after finding out once and for all that he was infertile he confessed he always assumed he was infertile and didn't want to get his hopes up. We've talked about adopting and for many reasons we've made this our second option although haven't ruled it out. Our other option is sperm donation and although we have reservations it would mean that the child would be genetically part of one of us and we could both have full input into its upbringing.

Has anyone else had experience of sperm donation and what were the highs and lows of your treatments?

X

 

[peartree]

Hiya, and welcome to the forums!

My DH had the same thing too, and had them corrected too late, so has very low sperm count.

I don't have experience of looking into sperm donation, but when we went to see the fertility specialist, he seemed to think that such low counts weren't a problem as 'you only need one' for IVF (ICSI).

Has your fiance tested his sperm counts - just wondering when you say 'infertile' whether it meant 'low' or 'none at all'. Our FS said it was also possible for surgical sperm removal in some cases. Have you looked into this possibility?

Hope everything goes well for you whatever you decide.

 

[Hopeful27yrs]

We went to see a urologist who also happened to be a colleague. We got 2 separate sperm samples which both show nothing.

The urologist was happy to give us a shot at testicular biopsy but he was extremely honest with us and said it was more because he wanted to explore all avenues for us but didn't expect there to be any germ cells left.

It's extremely sad for us but sperm donation is the only way i'll get pregnant. Ironically I got the implant put in during our first 2 years of dating not really thinking that I wouldn't need it. DH wants me to get it taken out 'just in case' but there's zero chance of anything happening naturally.

 

[Alchemist]

I am so sorry about your situation. I hope you can move past this trauma and on to your plan of action soon. Having a plan together makes things "ók'' - i know it doesnt feel like it but it will in time. he seems like he has accepted it and is willing to try options (such as seeing a specialist or going the donor route). I suggest going through with the biposy then at least you have done what you can. i also suggest seeing a councellor specialising in IF so that she/he may guide you and help u deal with all the emotions. I do believe you guys will come out of this stronger as a couple............

 

[loobylou_01]

hi, i'm new too!

we have been trying to conceive for 18 months (since we got married) and just had first route of tests done. my bloods were okay but have found that my husband has no sperm either. He's 25 and i'm 24.

We first went to GP in november, finally had first semen analysis done on 23rd dec and got results on new years eve which showed no sperm. we were gutted. since had a second test done and results back on monday showed exactly the same (we weren't expecting anything else) Next step is referral to urologist for which we have an appt on 1st march. waiting is just awful!

my husband also had undescended testicles as a baby but had corrective surgery when he was about 4-5 years old. GP not really able to tell us much so just waiting.

we have discussed options though and we think we will definitely be going down the sperm donor route if needed as we agree that we want a baby and feel half a genetic connection is better than none at all.

any information anyone else has will be much appreciated or any similar stories,
good luck everyone xxx

 

[hopesforababy]

I am sharing a story of a friend of mine. She did not have any eggs that could be used, but her husband was fine. They went the route of an egg donor. They chose a donor and did the ICSI/IVF and now have a perfectly healthy little boy. I know that she was upset at first about not being able to have a biological child, but she did get to carry him. The donor had physical characteristics that were like my friend's, so the baby actually does look like her (and the daddy, too!). But he has a lot of her personality traits, as well.
I know there's a difference between having egg and sperm donations, but I did want you guys to hear a success story. Good luck to you all!

 

[Hopeful27yrs]

Thanks for your input. It's nice to have this feedback as it's a difficult thing to get our heads around.

x

 

[suzie7]

My DH has low sperm too, but we have some, so there's hope.

There's a wonderful forum specifically for "male infertility" on fertilichat.com and there's a LOT of information there and a lot of people who have been in your shoes. (and I don't know everything but isn't there a slight possibility they could go into the testicle and extract some? For Example, your DH has zero sperm but there HAVE been people who have had zero sperm and the doctor was able to extract sperm from inside the testicle).

Go the forum there. I found it very useful. There's a guy named Rich who is EXTREMELY knowledgeable.

Good luck! And donor sperm is always an option. It takes a while to get use to the idea but you're lucky that you are healthy and can carry a child and there's LOTS of good donors out there!
Best of luck!!!