Male factor - first NHS infertility clinic appointment what to expect

[Mm2021]

My partner has had two semen analysis done through the GP and the results are very poor - sperm count approx 1 - 2 million and motility 24% - not enough in the result to confirm morphology etc. Unbeknown to us, his records show he had undescended testicals not operated on until 3 years old which we can only assume has caused this.

From what I understand we will need IVF + ICSI with these numbers. We’ve been trying for 18 months, and I also have PCOS with very irregular cycles (initially the reason we were having all the investigations).

We’ve got our first NHS infertility clinic appointment mid October.

I’m really keen to hear others experiences (particularly if you had a male factor infertility) of how long it took from having that first NHS infertility appointment to actually having IVF? I know it will vary by area (I’m north essex) but any inputs are really appreciated. I’m mainly trying to manage my own expectations and avoid disappointment if it is still going to be a long list of hoops to jump through etc after this and months and months of wait times.

Thank you

Hi I had first appointment a couple of weeks ago after referral approx 18 months ago, probably a lot slower due to Covid. The clinic I was sent me just did a scan of me on the day and nurse rang to make appointment for telephone consultation. This clinic doesn't have ICSI as its nurse led so have been referred on to another clinic that does but from what I've heard in my area could be couple years wait for IVF. We have male factor infertility too. I would check that your gp has referred you to a clinic that also does ICSI as we now have another long wait to first appointment in that clinic. We have paid to go privately in meantime. Our area you get one free cycle of IVF so I'm hoping if we are lucky to get pregnant with private treatment it will be available if we want to try again for another baby

Is there a way to choose the clinic you go to and possibly call them up and ask how long are the waiting lists etc? I know it sounds kinda of stalky, but I tend to worry too much and I would get stressed.

Hi @Mm2021

I'm sorry to message on an old thread. My husband and I are in a very similar position. I just wondered how you got on?

Hi @Mm2021 .. my OH and I are in the same boat, including the undescended testicle at birth (not operated on till 2-3 yrs of age)! How did it go with NHS? What tests did they do for you and OH and did they offer IVF+ICSI?

Thank you

Hello, not sure if OP is still here, but I've been going through this journey since late 2019 - male factor due to undescended testes.

We had 2 rounds of IVF with ICSI on the NHS. For us, it took between first appointment in late 2019 until Summer 2022 to complete all the tests needed and have these two rounds - so over 2 years.

Sadly it was unsuccessful and we have now switched from ICSI to donor, which we are having to privately fund. This is because we were entitled to another funded round of IVF but had 'chosen' to move to donor treatment, so the NHS wouldn't fund it for us. The truth is that IVF made me very ill and I ended up in hospital twice with hyperstimulation - so it wasn't really a choice to stop but a necessity for my body!

Anyway, I'm sorry to say that for us this process has been long and painful.

If you are starting out with it, I would recommend counselling and also for us it has been really helpful to tell our family and friends about the journey. Keeping it secret would have added so much pressure for us, I can't even imagine. If you feel close enough to people in your life, I recommend talking about it.

Thank you for sharing your story @TunicFox .. I hope it works for you with donor!

Can I check what tests they had you do and why it took 2 years?

@CDiamond I have PM'd you :) Happy to answer any more q's by PM!

Unfortunately me and my partner are in exactly the same situation - his semen count is 1mln and motility 20%. We are in panic.
Can I please ask if anyone here had any success with IVF/IVF ICSI? (I am under impression that it has to be at least 5mln to have a chance with IVF icsi)
We have just received our test results and have not started treatment process. Does anyone have any advice? Or has anyone received any useful advice from their specialists about if semen count could be improved and how that could be done? (I know all tips for men with low counts in normal circumstances, but is there anything specifically for men with low counts because of undescended testes).

Hello

I am on the same ish situation but as I was 42 they were keen to start asap before I turn 43 which is the cut off for NHS funding we had initial consultation first week October and started stimulation around end of October.

My DH had 0% morphology at one time and 19% motility but we did get pregnant but resulted in miscarriage. (I don't have PCOS.)

It was then we finally saw a fertility doctor she suggested Impryl or Proxeed.

DH started taking Impryl and his Morphology went from 0% to 4% and his motility 19% to 28% the last time it was checked. I started taking Impryl and having acupuncture.

October cycle didn't proceed to an egg collection due to Zika risk (clinic mistake) so we were started again on the next cycle which resulted to an egg collection but hubby couldn't provide sample on the day, my eggs needed to be frozen, I then turned 43 and they said they need to ask NHS for an extension, which is now where I am at. My husband has since provided a sample (produced from home) it is now frozen.

If you foresee an issue with providing sample on the day with partner best to ask if you can have a sample done in advance to be frozen so you won't have the same heartbreak as us.

They now say 2 natural cycles and then proceed to embryo transfer. (after meds etc)

Good luck!

oh sorry forgot to mention as both egg and sperm frozen they will do ICSI.

I am just praying I won't lose a lot of eggs in the thawing process.