"No sperm in the sample"...

[FleetofHope]

DH was told this by the doctor yesterday over the phone. He's going back today for a chat. Is this it? Are all our chances over? Is there any chance that there might be a few swimmers lurking and IVF is a possibility or is all hope lost?

My head's spinning, we're devastated

I can't answer your questions but I just wanted to say I really feel for you and hope you can work through this, it must be incredibly difficult (i cant believe they just told him on the phone?!). hopefully someone with more life experience can come and say something to you soon but in the meantime, i hope you are ok

I know, I couldn't believe that either! And with no acc

I know, I couldn't believe that either! And with no accompanying explanation at all. He just seems shell shocked, makes me so sad to see him like this :(

We had this news a few years ago, it's difficult to take in isn't it?

We had IVF, and my husband had surgical sperm retrieval, although unfortunately no sperm was found in the biopsy. We had donor sperm on standby, so resorted to that & now have a beautiful little boy.

Don't give up hope. From what I've read on fertility forums, it's quite likely that sPerm can be retrieved through biopsy. DH was only given a 25% chance of it being successful, as our consultant said that he had quite small testes.

Best of luck.

And thanks waffling for the support, don't think I'm going to be able to tell anyone in RL

Peazly so glad you got your baby! We will have to investigate all the options :) I have 2 boys from my nasty abusive first marriage so I think it will break DH's heart if we can't have one together :( it's breaking mine

Can't be much help but just wanted to say how sorry I was about the news you received. I can't imagine how devastating it must have been to hear it. Thinking of you and your DH and fx that this all works out for you.

Don't want to get your hopes up but a possibility it was a duff sample surely? Either away I think doc will want a second go to be conclusive.

Christelle I hope it was a duff sample! The first thing I said to DH was get It done again - but we did expect some problems, just not having no sperm at all :( DH has hormonal issues due to a pituitory tumour several years ago, but I didn't expect it to mean there would be no sperm. I'm hoping there's something that can be done with his hormone replacement that will improve things

Does your DH still see an endocrinologist? They will be able to work with the gynaecologist (who heads up fertility problems whether the primary problem is with men or women) to help.

I linked this on another thread and hope this might help:

RCOG guidelines on fertility assessment and treatment

You can't get a full picture after just one sample so don't jump to any conclusions until you've talked to the doctor today. It's likely your DH will have to go in for another sample to get a better picture and an idea of treatment options.

Don't despair yet, there are a lot of options out there and things can change.

DH still has an endocrinologist - he's been in touch with the nurses and got himself an appointment for a few weeks time with his consultant. He also found out that he has a sperm sample saved (?!) from before his radiotherapy - how can he not have realised this?! Think he was young and much more worried by his illness at the time, babies very low on his list of priorities at the time! Feeling more hopeful now - always assuming they don't freeze worthless samples? DH seems much better now, he was a broken man yesterday :(

Barlett and Medusa thanks for the support and help!

Feeling so sad tonight :( Want to tell people in RL about it all and I can't betray DH's confidence! Horrid world

Your posts brought tears to my eyes. Feel for you so much. My DH received bad news when he had a sample in April 10. TBH, not sure either of us really understood the implications. It is heartbreaking to see their despair but don't lose hope. We now have 17 month old DD. Fx for you both.

Thanks for your message resipsa (are you latinist or lawyer?!) it's so good to hear happy endings - I really hope we can have one too. Trying to imagine our lives without a baby together and it's really hard - DH says he feels as though it's taken the purpose out if his life :(
Don't know whether anyone else has experienced this, but it seems (at this early stage) to have taken the gloss off our sex life, which has hither to been cracking! Urgh rubbish rubbish

Hi Fleet My DH also got the news on Tuesday that there were no sperm seen in his sample. We are not entirely sure this is correct, as his previous sample, whilst low, still had 100,000 sperm in it.

Please don't give up hope, there are lots of things that can be done. And I am most definitely here for some hand holding of needed. Have you been referred on to the Gynaecologists yet? Our GP was utter crap as well, bedside manner had gone out of the window!

Thanks for the handholding, definitely required! I'm hoping we can cut the GP out of the loop and use DH's endocrinologist to refer us on. I suppose there's one side benefit to all this - no need to bother about sodding contraception again!

flletofhope. sorry you are both feeling so low. but great news he hs some sperm frozen so that opens up lots of possibilities. radiothrapy can do this unfortuntely. Just to be aware you consultant may not be able to directly refer you on may have to be GP but consultant could advise where is good esp for DH condition.
thinking of you both DH has no motility 0 but have got bfp with ICSI and one natural unfortuantely no baby yet this time round,
have hope

Thanks bugs all the support is so good. Sorry you're struggling too, I hope you get your baby soon! I know we're at the beginning of the road and need to be patient. You just never think it will be you do you?! It's what happens to other people...ha!

I'm ovulating today, why do I feel really positive like we might make a baby tonight when I know there's no sperm?! How long does it take for the reality of it to sink in?!