MFI - Zero Sperm Count. Any Success Stories?

[LadyVictoria]

Background:
My husband and I have been TTC since July of 2018. I will be 28 in April and he will be 48 in June. Neither of us had tried before so we had no way of knowing what we were working with. With each month bringing a BFN, I couldn't help but feel that something just had to be wrong. No one in my family has ever struggled to conceive, and babies were always happy accidents. It just didn't seem right that we were getting the timing right every month and not getting pregnant, even though I'm well aware of how long it can take a healthy couple, and how it could take us even longer due to my husband's age.

I contacted my gynecologist office in my 5th cycle (November) to push for testing and got to meet with the fertility specialist there. She gave me a lot of good information and gave me paper work for CD 3 and 21 blood work and a semen analysis for my husband. I will be doing my CD21 blood work tomorrow (CD22 actually) but the CD3 blood work came out normal. As the title says, my husband's SA came back with zero sperm found. We immediately followed up with a urologist and were able to get in right away, but those results were crushing. I've done so much, from supplements and cleanses to dietary changes, so it hurt to feel that all of that effort didn't make any difference.

Today:
My husband met with the urologist and had a physical exam done (all good there), ultrasound, and blood work. His second SA (first with the urologist) is tomorrow. So for the duration of my winter break from work, I've been in limbo. It didn't help that I ovulated a few days after Christmas, because it feels like another cycle down the drain. There's always a chance that the first SA wasn't accurate but I'm not holding my breath. Not knowing what the cause of his absent sperm is maddening! Is he producing sperm or isn't he? Is it hormonal or is there a blockage? An infection? What will our TTC journey be like now? It makes me feel better, more empowered I guess, to research and see what other couples in this situation have ended up doing. Most of what I'm seeing seems to result in assisted conception (IUI, IVF) which is why I am posting here. I would love to learn of any success stories or even where you're at in the process. My insurance covers those procedures (with authorization) so I am grateful that they are viable options for us should we need them. Any advice or insights would certainly help as I wait to learn our fate!

 

[rectopathic]

I didn't want to read and run.

They can usually do investigations to find out why there isn't any sperm, sometimes it is due to a physical reason that an operation can sort.

My DH had to do different lots of SA for ICSI (he had extremely very low sperm count that was a degenerative condition) but each analysis gave a different amount, so I believe they can fluctuate.

I hope the SA tomorrow is more positive news.

Wishing you all the best.

 

[LadyVictoria]

I didn't want to read and run.

They can usually do investigations to find out why there isn't any sperm, sometimes it is due to a physical reason that an operation can sort.

My DH had to do different lots of SA for ICSI (he had extremely very low sperm count that was a degenerative condition) but each analysis gave a different amount, so I believe they can fluctuate.

I hope the SA tomorrow is more positive news.

Wishing you all the best.

Thank you for responding! I had stopped checking over here because it was so quiet.
We only have the results from 2/3 SAs but both showed no sperm. His other tests showed that he has high FSH and bilateral varicoceles. So his body is trying to produce sperm but the varicoceles may be what is preventing that from happening. We need to have a follow up appointment with his urologist to discuss our options, like surgery.

I'm not sure where you're currently at in the process (was ICSI successful for you?), but I wish you the best of luck!

 

[rectopathic]

Thank you for responding! I had stopped checking over here because it was so quiet.
We only have the results from 2/3 SAs but both showed no sperm. His other tests showed that he has high FSH and bilateral varicoceles. So his body is trying to produce sperm but the varicoceles may be what is preventing that from happening. We need to have a follow up appointment with his urologist to discuss our options, like surgery.

I'm not sure where you're currently at in the process (was ICSI successful for you?), but I wish you the best of luck!

I *think* high FSH levels can sometimes be treated by testosterone based medications and sometimes there is sperm in the body but it’s unable to come out, if that’s the case, it can be extracted. I’m so sorry it all feels so uncertain, but I hope your appointments give you more promise soon. There is always a way.. it’s just rubbish when things feel so uncertain.

Thank you also.We had ICSI IVF in 2014 and it worked first time. We were extremely blessed and we never forget that everyday. We are looking at ways to expand our family nest at present.

Take care and wishing you both all the best.

 

[LadyVictoria]

I *think* high FSH levels can sometimes be treated by testosterone based medications and sometimes there is sperm in the body but it’s unable to come out, if that’s the case, it can be extracted. I’m so sorry it all feels so uncertain, but I hope your appointments give you more promise soon. There is always a way.. it’s just rubbish when things feel so uncertain.

Thank you also.We had ICSI IVF in 2014 and it worked first time. We were extremely blessed and we never forget that everyday. We are looking at ways to expand our family nest at present.

Take care and wishing you both all the best.

My husband has an appointment with his urologist on Tuesday so I am hopeful that we'll better know what our options are then!

I'm glad to hear that ISCI was successful for you and I hope that your journey to conceiving will be successful this time around as well!