Severe OATS diagnosis

[lugo40]

Hi all, next step in our fertility journey has seen DH diagnosed with severe oats - can never remember the full version. Basically very low count and very few moving. He's been referred to Ramsay at Charing Cross and we're waiting...,

Just wondered if anyone else has been through this an what was suggested?

Thanks

A little late I know but hope I can help - we had the same diagnosis almost exactly 2 years ago, and were referred to a fertility clinic where my DH underwent an ultrasound scan to confirm the cause of OAT, I had a scan at around the same time to confirm no issues, and we both had blood tests to rule out genetic factors.
About 2 months later we were approved for IVF with ICSI. We started the treatment around 3-4 months after that (I think wait times will vary clinic to clinic though).
Feel free to ask me anything. Wishing you all the best!!!

Hi, thanks so much for replying!! Would you mind if I ask a few personal questions- feel free not to answer... I just wondered if the found a cause of your DH oats? And did he need surgical retrieval for Icsi ? So far, I've also shown no problems with me... Did you have any success with treatment? Thank you so much again

No probs! Yes - he had undescended testicles as a baby, it's apparently common for some unavoidable damage to be done when they operate. I think his sonographer 'unofficially' told him the likely cause during his scan, so we didn't have to wait ages for results.

DH just gave a sample on the day of my egg collection. I seem to remember being told it'd depend how good/bad the most recent sample was, as to whether surgical retrieval would be needed (I may be wrong).

We were very fortunate on our 1st cycle. One thing I'd do differently is not google all the success rates, I really fixated on that stuff but when we saw the consultant (when we were approved), he gave us a much clearer picture based on all our tests.

Anything else I'm totally happy to answer, it's a scary time I know!

oh fantastic, thank you so much for sharing and congratulations!!! thats filled me with hope so thank you. we have started researching clinics and if i am honest its all so depressing as so clinical but if thats what we need then we have no choice really! we are keen to go natural ivf with no drugs but i guess we will see what the specialists say as i know that reduces the success rates.

I don't know about OATS specifically, but we saw Mr Ramsay, and he is wonderful. We are very lucky to have the world's leading expert a) in the UK and b) readily seeing NHS patients. I hope you have a good meeting with him.
Fingers crossed for you both

Thanks! You're very welcome, and you should have hope.
In my experience, the worst parts of the entire process were the SA test results/diagnosis of OAT, and where you are now, waiting and not sure what will happen. Once treatment began we felt relieved to be taking positive action after being in limbo for so long.
Personally I found the drugs, jabs etc weren't bad at all.
Obviously I'm only one person who had one successful cycle, not to minimise the experiences of others, but if you do go for the drugs you may also be fine. More eggs will give you a better chance if your DHs sample that day isn't great. But yes you'll have plenty of qualified people to help with that decision!
We were treated at St Barts and I'd recommend them.

Wishing you all the best!