0 sperm count

[KLG12]

Today we have had my OH sperm test back with 0 sperm count and now needs to have a 2nd test done.

To say we are upset is an understatement! I feel numb and our chances of becoming parents has disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Can anyone advise if they have been in this position and what happens next?

Thank you x

Would you consider donor sperm?

I don't see how that's a helpful comment @Aquamarine1029 ???

@KLG12 Don't give up hope. They do two tests for a reason. If it is bad news, it's not the end of the road and it most certainly is nothing your husband has done wrong

Hi yes.
Us 6 years ago.
It was very very tough. My do had zero sperm and sadly nothing was found after biospy either.
Our journey took several years, lots of twists and turns but I'm currently feeding my beautiful baby boy who's 3 wks old.

Your dp will be feeling absolutely rubbish right now, his self esteem will be rock bottom. So look after him. And look after yourself too.

There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Message me if u ever want to chat
Xx

We had the same. There was talk of something they could do if they found any swimmers at all but it wasn’t to be. We went through all the options and settled on what was right for us. We were offered counselling as well when looking at our options which helped us a lot.

Im so sorry you've had this disappointing news. As awful news as this is....at least now you know what exactly is wrong. Once you've wrapped your minds around this obstacle perhaps you will find a path forward.

Wishing you and your DH all the best, be kind to him he'll be feeling like shit right now

I don't think PP mentioning donor sperm is unhelpful? There will likely be 3 options here

1-slightly better second SA and then possible merc test ahead of an ICSI cycle (a merc test is multiple ejaculations on the same day to try to get enough to freeze

2- SSR tesa/pesa incase it's a blockage rather than a production issue - then freeze and ICSI cycle

3- donor sperm

We had this but had a successful sperm retrieval procedure (turns out there was healthy sperm in the body) and used the immature sperm for ICSI which was thankfully successful. I would recommend for your partner to take Wellman Conception vitamins prior to the procedure (it's meant to help with the motility or something apparently but takes 3 months to work)

I think options with regard to donors or adoption (which was our choice in the end btw) are something to think of later, after fully coming to terms with the situation

I would say at least wait until the second test results- my OH had very different results (am now pregnant). As a PP says, be gentle with him, he will feel like shit.

I'm so sorry you've had this news. This was us too and it was the biggest shock. Has your GP mentioned any next steps? Our GP sadly dealt this bombshell then left us with very little information or even support for what was hugely devastating news - like you they suggested waiting 3 months for another sample (which we were told was very unlikely to change) and then they'd refer us to a fertility clinic. After a diagnosis of zero sperm we weren't happy to wait 3 months just wondering what on earth had caused it and with no one to explain or support us in anyway - so we did pay for a 1 off consultation with the fertility consultant at our local fertility clinic. It cost around £100 so wasn't cheap and I know not everyone is in a position to afford this - but it was absolutely invaluable to us as he explained everything to us and what the options were (and referred us onto the appropriate NHS route for more tests etc). There is quite a process of investigation involved that did take quite a long time before they gave us any likely chances of finding sperm via surgical retrieval - but I don't want to overwhelm you so please message me if you'd like to know any more detail - but please believe me when I say that all hope isn't lost and you do have options going forwards to complete your family, look after each other and reach out to close friends or family if your comfortable to - that was a lifeline for us having a good support network around us through the process xx

My husband and I found ourselves in the same position. It’s called azoospermia and every analysis he had was zero count. The gp was not helpful and said to look into sperm donor or adoption. There are options before you need to get your head around that.
My husbands results all suggested surgery wouldnt be successful but we had an amazing consultant who understood we couldn’t move on until we knew for sure. He had microTESE surgery which confirmed there was no blockage (which can be easier to resolve) but they found spent which they froze. We had ICSI and I’m 8 weeks pregnant on our first attempt. I had 17 eggs retrieved but we only had 9 sperm to work with. Do not lose hope xxx

My partner has had two SA's which both us no sperm. His blood tests indicate he is producing sperm but testosterone on the low side but it was taken near end of day. We later found out he is a CF carrier which they are saying will be the reason. I can't help but worry though it might be something else?

We had our first appointment two weeks ago for IVF and apparently meet an expedited criteria so the wait time will be 2 months. In South Wales the urologist has a 12 month waiting list to do a retrieval so paying privately (£1200) and then will be 2 months after.

They seem hopeful but say we need to be prepared just in case. Partner is terrified as never had surgery and they are doing it under sedation. If they get anything great but if they don't I can't help but wonder, what next. He is adamant he doesn't want to use donor sperm as he would feel the child isn't his and it's unlikely we would be able to adopt as I had mental health problems when I was younger. I'm just so worried for what happens next. And it just. Feels torture not knowing if we will be able to

Hi there

First of all, let me tell you that the initial shock is tough and you will have a lot of emotions to work through, we have been there and it's not easy at first.

I'd say, go and see another specialist if you can. We self referred to a man called Dr Ramsey, he's a bit of a legend in the male factor fertility world and at very least, as in our case, he may be able to give you some answers. I can give you his details if you want them.

Previous poster is right to point out there is the option of donor sperm which is the route we ended up going down, but some don't have to. It all depends on whether there is no production or a blockage. We were originally told there was no production but learnt years later from meeting Dr Ramsey that it was a blockage. The IVF clinics (if you went to be tested there as we did) have one objective: to get you pregnant, and so don't always pursue or investigate male factor cases, so id urge you to get second opinions xx

@KLG12 hi there, definitely see a male fertility expert. Mr Ramsey can check varicocele, any other possible obstructive causes, hormones, etc, then do a second test. Hopefully you'll find a reason and solution! You only need very few for ICSI. They also sometimes take the sample directly from the testes. Good luck!

My husband and I found out he had 0 sperm last December. It's been awful knowing how to support him emotionally during the last year, although he does seem to be coming to terms with it. They put him on clomid for 6 months, which didn't do anything, and he's on a waiting list for microTESE (nhs funded so lots and lots of horrible waiting...). We have had very different emotional reasons and coping strategies (as I guess everyone does in life) so I highly recommend making sure you have a close friend or two you can talk to if your DH needs time to process on his own (or vice versa!)

• emotional reactions, not reasons

Another recommendation here for Dr Ramsay.

Sending you 💐

We saw Dr Ramsey a few weeks ago and paid £280 to see him on a Saturday in his Windsor Clinic (you pay more for a semen analysis on the day if required)

You can attempt to get referred to see him via NHS but he told us he is retiring from NHS in the next few months so by the time you are able to get referred (if your GP does!) he may not be available.

He was fantastic and much better than another urologist who we encountered through our IVF clinic.

Thanks to everyone for replying with all your different experiences!

Its now sunk in we womt conceive naturally and are now being very positive!

His 2nd test has came through and we have been back to Drs who has referred us to the fertility clinic!

We are going to enjoy Christmas and then start this whole process Jan 2020!

Hi,

My partner had his surgical sperm retrieval yesterday and all went brilliant. Now it's just waiting for ICSI to start.