Undescended Right Testicle

[MissyMooMoo]

We are TTC. This is our 2nd month so early days still. My boyfriend had an operation when he was 11 for a undescended testicle on the right hand side. He tells me that there is nothing to worry about at the surgery went well and the doctors said that it would never cause him a problem. It looks normal and is in the scrotum sack. I can see the scar where they went into do the surgery. It is a small straight scar on the right hand side of his grain area. He usually ejaculates around 1 mil to 1.5 mils which I know is not lots. I have given him pumpkin seeds as they are well known for testosterone and are known to produce more semen and have considered the herbal Semenax too but not sure about that yet.

Anyway to cut a long story short and to stop myself going on and on. My questions are:

1. Does having a right undescended testicle and then having surgery which corrected this at age 11 have any effect on fertility?

2. Does having between 1.0 and 1.5 mils of semen effect our chances of fertility?

I have tried to talk to my GP (2 GP's actually) but they just are exactly what they are GENERAL and they just say...."Oh its gonna be fine, You'll be fine, stop worrying etc etc". I have looked for info on the net about it too but I cannot find anything to really reassure me.

Please please help somebody.

 

[peartree]

Hi Missymoomoo, welcome to the forums!

My DH was a bit more unlucky and had both testes undescended, didn't get them corrected til he was 8/9 years old. Our urologist said that research has shown since that if not treated before 2 years old, it causes permanent damage and low sperm counts.

1) It may have an effect, since it will be one good testes producing sperm instead of two BUT you should have a sperm analysis done, since that ONE good teste could be producing enough. Obviously I'm not a urologist, but just thought that would be the logic.

2) I assume 'mil' is 'ml', as in volume, not 'mil' as in count? If volume - You can't tell from volume, it's more the sperm count concentration that is the important thing. If it's sperm count, then that's the same as what my DH had and we had to do ICSI.

I hope I haven't scared you too much, but if I were you, I'd demand a sperm analysis, or pay for one privately. This is because we spent 6 months trying, then another few months having blood tests on me, before we even had him tested. All along, it was male factor. I wish I had realised that there might be a problem with undescended testes earlier on, then we might not have wasted 2 years. You never know, it might be good news, and if it's bad news, at least you haven't wasted time trying for the unattainable. I don't know your situation though, but time was a major factor for me personally, as I'm in my 30's.

All the best. Hope you get your BFP soon. x

Just wanted to say too, that a lot of girls here with MF have put their OHs on vitamins, etc, to boost sperm count and health.

 

[Mrs G]

Hi and welcome!

Agree with peartree, there is no def reason this should affect things, it sounds like he does have both working? But if you can afford it I would get a private test done. Like you, we had very general comments from the GP whereas the fertility specialist was much more helpful. And it is not all about volume or sperm count, they will check the quality too.

My dh only has one (damn his mother for never getting him surgery!!) the 2nd one was removed about 10 yrs ago and we did not have enough quality sperm to get pg naturally but if it does come to it for you, ICSI is very successful in cases of male factor.

Lots of luck

xx

 

[Hopeful27yrs]

Ditto to what the others said. My other half never had his bilateral undescended testis corrected by his parents until HE decided that he would have them operated on in his LATE TWENTIES so that he could examine them as he also had an increased cancer risk.

I can't see how you can't go on to have children with the remaining normal testicle. However this will affect his sperm count as he will have a lower sperm count - but at least you still have 50% of his genetic material available to you!

All the best - it maybe a little more difficult for you to have children but at least you have the chance of having your own children xxx

 

[MissyMooMoo]

Hi Missymoomoo, welcome to the forums!

My DH was a bit more unlucky and had both testes undescended, didn't get them corrected til he was 8/9 years old. Our urologist said that research has shown since that if not treated before 2 years old, it causes permanent damage and low sperm counts.

1) It may have an effect, since it will be one good testes producing sperm instead of two BUT you should have a sperm analysis done, since that ONE good teste could be producing enough. Obviously I'm not a urologist, but just thought that would be the logic.

2) I assume 'mil' is 'ml', as in volume, not 'mil' as in count? If volume - You can't tell from volume, it's more the sperm count concentration that is the important thing. If it's sperm count, then that's the same as what my DH had and we had to do ICSI.

I hope I haven't scared you too much, but if I were you, I'd demand a sperm analysis, or pay for one privately. This is because we spent 6 months trying, then another few months having blood tests on me, before we even had him tested. All along, it was male factor. I wish I had realised that there might be a problem with undescended testes earlier on, then we might not have wasted 2 years. You never know, it might be good news, and if it's bad news, at least you haven't wasted time trying for the unattainable. I don't know your situation though, but time was a major factor for me personally, as I'm in my 30's.

All the best. Hope you get your BFP soon. x

Just wanted to say too, that a lot of girls here with MF have put their OHs on vitamins, etc, to boost sperm count and health.

Thanks for all your info. Really appreciated. He is going to see his doctor to talk about Semen Analysis so we will find out. I have been reading about ICSI, is it expensive if we go private? I like the sound of it and feel maybe this would be our option. I just have a gut feeling that the Analysis will come back not so good. I dont know why I feel this, but do you know when you just know something. Thats how I feel.

 

[MissyMooMoo]

Hi and welcome!

Agree with peartree, there is no def reason this should affect things, it sounds like he does have both working? But if you can afford it I would get a private test done. Like you, we had very general comments from the GP whereas the fertility specialist was much more helpful. And it is not all about volume or sperm count, they will check the quality too.

My dh only has one (damn his mother for never getting him surgery!!) the 2nd one was removed about 10 yrs ago and we did not have enough quality sperm to get pg naturally but if it does come to it for you, ICSI is very successful in cases of male factor.

Lots of luck

xx

Hiya ty so much for your replay. Wow I see you are pregnant with ICSI. Conragulations. Do you think if it comes to it this would be our best option? Is it invasive? Costly? Did you go private? Were you successful first time? How long did it take before you could get it done? soooooo SORRY for the questions but I am really intersted. xx

 

[MissyMooMoo]

Ditto to what the others said. My other half never had his bilateral undescended testis corrected by his parents until HE decided that he would have them operated on in his LATE TWENTIES so that he could examine them as he also had an increased cancer risk.

I can't see how you can't go on to have children with the remaining normal testicle. However this will affect his sperm count as he will have a lower sperm count - but at least you still have 50% of his genetic material available to you!

All the best - it maybe a little more difficult for you to have children but at least you have the chance of having your own children xxx

Thank you so much for your lovely reply. Yes he was 11 before he also decided to urge his much into getting the operation. I am angry with his mum for letting it get this far. If I have a baby boy and this happened to him I would be getting him checked out and for his own future getting him surgery before 1 as she should have done! Makes me so angry but thats another story. Yes you are right he has the good testicle bless him. I hope this one produces more sperm and we can get preg naturally and if not then we can used Assisted. I have read a lot about that and the other 2 lovely ladies just mentioned that, one of them being pregnant after using it. Im feeling much better already and believe me today I have been REALLY REALLY LOW about the whole thing. Been bottling this up inside me for 4 months and only just told my boyfriend Ive been worrying about it all this time. All came out in a bellow of tears and emotions. Felt like a pressure cooker that had just let all its steam out! haha. And he couldnt believe I had kept it bottled up worrying and not telling him. I didnt tell him because I though he would feel inadequate and didnt want to offend or hurt him. I so love him. But when it all came out tonight actually he just hugged me and said ....right Im going to book myself an appointment and get a Semen Analysis lol......I said youd do that for me? I was so relieved. He said Ill do it for you yes but for me aswell. Isnt he lovely!!! I hope it works out ok for us. Ive never been so happy and it would just complete us. Sorry I sound so soppy. I feel so emotional.

 

[Sabine]

Hey, my DH also had one undescended testicle - surgically corrected only age 7. Unfortunately this has caused him to have a low sperm count even though the one testicle was not affected.
Our FS said there is the case for lower sperm counts even with one undescended, but this is not always the case. In other words, it could go either way, it's luck of the draw, but you are doing the right thing by getting him tested. Even though it's terrifying, I think it's better to know up front rather than worry about it - especially if it turns out there is nothing to worry about!
I hope you get good news, holding thumbs for you!
Sxx

 

[peartree]

Hopeful, I hope you don't mind me asking, but re. undescended testicles, is it readily noticeable? I thought you might be able to answer as your OH got it done whilst he was an adult. My DH can't remember from before the op. The reason I'm asking is, since we found out last year, I'm still very angry at his mum for being so stupid and unreactive. I wonder if these feelings are misguided, because it's actually not noticeable? Or is it really a case of very obviously "there's a sac but no marble"?

Missy, the cost differs between clinic to clinic, ranges from £4-5k up, but usually ICSI is about £1k more than normal IVF. We were very lucky to be able to get NHS funding for our cycle. I know what you mean about having the 'feeling'. I had that 'feeling' too, only after about 4 cycles of TTC, but I thought the problem was with me as I had 30+ day cycles. It's good that you realised early on that the undescended testicle could be a problem and get testede early. I saw the scars, but didn't have a clue that it could be a problem!

Aww.. your BF sounds so sweet! You've got a good 'un there!

 

[Mrs G]

Hiya ty so much for your replay. Wow I see you are pregnant with ICSI. Conragulations. Do you think if it comes to it this would be our best option? Is it invasive? Costly? Did you go private? Were you successful first time? How long did it take before you could get it done? soooooo SORRY for the questions but I am really intersted. xx

Hi

ICSI is specialy designed for male factor issues as they inject the sperm into the egg rather than relying on the little fellas to get there themselves!! We had a problem with morphology, they weren't properly formed and couldn't really get themselves where they needed to be, so for us ICSI was the best option. We were lucky to get 2 goes on NHS but it was successful first time around. We have 2 frozen embryos but will have to pay to use them next time.

The treatment is fine, there is more for you to do than your oh, he just needs to provide a couple of samples! You can do unmedicated cycles, where you ovulate normally but I think most clinics to medicated. I had to take down regulation drugs (injections) for about a month which basically shut your system down, then stimulating drugs (more injections!) which make you produce, hopefully, a large number of eggs. These are taken out under sedation, mixed with the sperm in the lab and then put back a few days later. There are a few internal scans along the way which aren't dignified but they are fine.

We had been trying for 15 months. We went to see a private consultant as our local NHS clinic was dragging its heels , this was last April and we were treated in September, so really quite quickly.

ICSI does seem to be the best option for treating MF but I would recommend getting oh tested first to find out if you really do have a problem. Also get him off drink/drugs/fags and onto a good multi vit regardless of the results.

I am sure everything will be fine hun, good luck

xx

 

[MissyMooMoo]

Hiya Mrs G, can I just ask you how many times it is possible to have ICSI and IVF. I am 40 this is why I really am on the case with all this. If I don't do something now we will loose our chances. I have had identical twins when I was 21 who where a natural pregnancy. They are 19 now! I feel and look younger and when I went to my doctor they agreed! But for assisted fertility treatments are they funny about age? And how many goes do I get to have. If it doesn't work first time can I have another half a dozen or a dozen goes! haha

 

[Mrs G]

Hiya Mrs G, can I just ask you how many times it is possible to have ICSI and IVF. I am 40 this is why I really am on the case with all this. If I don't do something now we will loose our chances. I have had identical twins when I was 21 who where a natural pregnancy. They are 19 now! I feel and look younger and when I went to my doctor they agreed! But for assisted fertility treatments are they funny about age? And how many goes do I get to have. If it doesn't work first time can I have another half a dozen or a dozen goes! haha

Hi

As you have children already I THINK it is the case that you will not get any NHS treatment. This is the case with most clinics but I would check with your local one. I am pretty sure the criteria is that neither partner has children already. If you do get NHS treatment it varies from area to area. We would have got 2, some places it is only one. You can pay for as many as you can afford. If you look on the HFEA website, there is lots of info on there, it might be worth contacting a few clinics to find out more.

Do remember it is early days ttc for you (I know age is always a worry though). I reckon if you can get oh in for a test, you'll find it's not a problem.

xx

 

[MissyMooMoo]

Mrs G I do hope so. He has no children. I was in another relationship when I had the twins x I cant wait for him to get his SA done so we can get cracking and moving. I have already seen a good clinic in London,.....The Lister Clinic. I am looking at the Website now. xx hehe I hope his sperm count is good but I always like to know my options incase it isnt

 

[MissyMooMoo]

I hope you don't mind all the questions but does he go to the normal Doctors for his Seman Analysis because thats where he is talking about going for the first port of call or do we go to a fertility clinic for the SA too? Which is best? x

 

[Mrs G]

I hope you don't mind all the questions but does he go to the normal Doctors for his Seman Analysis because thats where he is talking about going for the first port of call or do we go to a fertility clinic for the SA too? Which is best? x

You can go to dr's but in our experience they are not the best at interpreting the results. They tend to just look at count rather than morphology and motility which are just as important. If you can afford it, I would go for a private test, some places will go a general fertility MOT on both of you!

xx

 

[MissyMooMoo]

Hiya Mrs G again lol. Sorry it's me the pest. I have been reading about IUI and see that it is less invasive and costly but I just wondered if we could use this treatment if it did come to light that he has a low sperm count?

Or is this for those lucky men out there with perfect sperm counts

 

[Hopeful27yrs]

Hopeful, I hope you don't mind me asking, but re. undescended testicles, is it readily noticeable? I thought you might be able to answer as your OH got it done whilst he was an adult. My DH can't remember from before the op. The reason I'm asking is, since we found out last year, I'm still very angry at his mum for being so stupid and unreactive. I wonder if these feelings are misguided, because it's actually not noticeable? Or is it really a case of very obviously "there's a sac but no marble"?

He got it done before I met him - but his testicles are noticeably VERY small now and I can't imagine that she didnt notice everytime she changed his nappy Also - his father had one undescended testicle (surgically fixed in childhood) and therefore one of them should have noticed! She denies knowing

We're devastated (DH more so that he lets on and feels a failure as a man) - so please count your blessings - it may take you all longer to concieve but you'll all be so fortunate when you manage to get there finally . I'm gutted - my other half would make the most amazing father in the world and i'm sad i'll never meet his genetic children xxx

 

[FBbaby]

Hi MissyMooMoo, unfortunately, living in Kent, you won't be entitled to NHS IVF both on the account of your age (cut off is 39) and the fact that you already have children.

However, you are not there yet. You need to do the SA first. I believe Kent is like Sussex, your GP should refer your OH to a clinic or hospital to have the test done.

I am in the same boat, OH has low count and low morphology, all is well with me, but because of my children from a previous relationship, we are not eligible. I did fall pg once, actually our first month ttc, but miscarried. On that basis, it is probably possible that it could happen again, but at 39, chances are lower on my side as the months go by, and big differences in IVF success rates, so we will be starting private icsi in May.

 

[MissyMooMoo]

Hi MissyMooMoo, unfortunately, living in Kent, you won't be entitled to NHS IVF both on the account of your age (cut off is 39) and the fact that you already have children.

However, you are not there yet. You need to do the SA first. I believe Kent is like Sussex, your GP should refer your OH to a clinic or hospital to have the test done.

I am in the same boat, OH has low count and low morphology, all is well with me, but because of my children from a previous relationship, we are not eligible. I did fall pg once, actually our first month ttc, but miscarried. On that basis, it is probably possible that it could happen again, but at 39, chances are lower on my side as the months go by, and big differences in IVF success rates, so we will be starting private icsi in May.

Hiya Fbaby,

If it comes to it I've already made my mind up we are going to Lister Clinic in Chelsea in London because the 3 top leading Fertility Clinics are, Winpole St in London, Lister and University Hospital London. I like the Lister website and even though the prices are more the success rates and equipment is MUCH BETTER! I would rather go there than Benenden that has a much lower prices and doesn't even mention Success Rates!!! I sometimes believe quality is better in that case. I'd rather pay a few more hundred for something that is pricesless in the end (a baby) rather than save a few hundred and be dissapointed and have to repeat it anyway 4 or 5 times when the 1 or 2 times at Lister could be all that's needed. But yeah it is early days yet anyway as his sperm count may be ok. I hope it is and I am worrying uncessesarily which is something I tend to do a lot. I'm one of those people that look at every other avenue incase something is wrong so I know where we can go IF this happens or THAT happens. I'm not sure if that's a bad or good thing. lol.

So the success rates for IVF for 39 or 40 in my case is not that good? Is ISCI better success rate for us old birds hehe