Azoospermia support, stories and timelines

[Ljp2022]

Hi All,
Hoping to get a chat going with some advice. My husband and I started TTC 9 months ago but had an inkling something was wrong. We had a private fertility assessment which showed he had no sperm in his semen (azoospermia). We are incredibly overwhelmed and shocked but are keen to explore further testing.

We have gone to our GP however he has explained the wait will likely be several months until we are seen in infertility clinic. We have therefore decided to go privately. My husband has had blood tests for genetic testing and hormones this week (not sure how long it will be until we get results?) and he has a urology appointment in a month’s time for a physical exam.

Id be so grateful if people can share their experiences of azoospermia, outcomes, success stories, other options explored, tests but also timelines if private? How long does it take for tests to come back? How long until he has his sperm retrieval test? What’s next and how long?

sorry for all the questions - so overwhelmed and no one seems to have any answers…thank you in advance.

@lemons44 you're into single digits days before the egg retrieval! Are you getting more excited or nervous?
@IslaO how are you holding up? Not long until the TESE. Is it standard or mTESE?

@Sleeter0893 standard Tese and safe to say I’m shitting myself!!!! This emotional rollercoaster is just too much! OH is great and making jokes but he’s so nervous too. I just don’t know how we will cope if they don’t find any…

@lemons44 single digits is crazy! I bet 2021 you questioned if you would ever get to this stage!

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 been thinking about you and hoping all is ok x

@IslaO I know that feeling! I spent three days planning a baby shower, going home outfits, birth plans, and nurseries in case they find none so I could have at least planned everything once in my life 😆 everything happens for a reason and we're right here with you regardless of the result!

@Sleeter0893 I know, it's starting to go quickly. I'm super busy at work this week so think that will help the week go quickly!

@IslaO sending you THE BIGGEST HUG. You are so so so so close to getting it done and dusted and as @Sleeter0893 said we are here whatever the outcome 💗 I'm keeping EVERYTHING crossed 🤞🏼 positive thoughts tonight xxxxx

Hi, hope it’s ok joining this thread. I’ve found that since starting this journey this is the only place I am able to find answers and success stories or even stories in general about this topic. Me and my partner have been trying to conceive for around 2 years now. Due to my anxiety I knew there was something wrong and pushed for tests. Initially I was expecting there to be issues with myself however in January we were told that my partner had zero sperm. We then had to wait 3 months to complete another sample. (The longest 3 months of my life) he also had blood tests done and an ultrasound to see if there was a blockage. Consultant rang today with results. There’s no blockage and chromosome bloods came back ok. He has low testosterone and the sample again showed zero sperm. We now have been transferred to specialist at different clinic atill with nhs. The consultant said that they would do a biopsy which I’m assuming is micro-tese?? To see if we are able to do ivf. This is all new to us both so just looking for any answers/reassurance that there could actually be sperm somewhere but it just isnt making it’s way out how it ‘normally’ should? The waiting and unknown is killing me!

@Lp96 what's his FSH and T levels? How did he become Azoospermic?

If he lost it due to steroids (would be low FSH) then he needs to take HcG, HmG and Clomid and there is a high chance sperm will return for IVF, some even have had a baby naturally. If he has high FSH, Low T then probably taking Anastrozole will help to convert estrogen into Testosterone increasing the chances of finding sperm after an Mtese

Good Luck.

@Ljp2022 Obviously see a good urologist like Jonathan Ramsey first though. A normal NHS doctor or clinic has zero clue about azoospermia so only speak to a urologist who offers mtese as only then you can be sure they understand the problem.

@Lp96 my husband has low testosterone but normal other hormones. This is due to his BMI and was not a cause for concern. He has an under developed testicle, a normal one with no vas def, and kidney issues which all pointed to a blockage. We just had wonderful results with microTESE because he's creating sperm normally, they're just not able to leave his testicle. Do you have more information on his medical history? A urologist is your best bet as they're able to tell you from just feeling if there's something they can see right away.

@IslaO not too much longer! I'll probably be asleep across the pond, but please know I'm praying for the best results for you and can't wait to wake up and hear the news!

Thanks so much for your replies.
@donnie12 we don’t know the results yet we are waiting on the referral form to be sent to us as we just had a telephone appointment yesterday. He did mention something about FSH though can’t remember if it was high or low. He said that it was the beginning of testicular failure.

@Sleeter0893 Aw that’s great news that you got good results, there is no blockage and the consultant said basically it was more just the ‘cards he’s been dealt’ and nothing really that could have stopped or changed it really. He’s healthy, correct weight etc. I’m just hoping and praying that they find some sperm we are able to use for ivf!

hey guys! Sorry for radio silence - my phone put emails in junk so I assumed no news on the group!

@lemons44 how are you getting on? You must be about a week away now? Are you feeling uncomfortable at all? Thanks for checking in - I’m now 18 weeks and have just found out that we are having a little boy!

@IslaO you are so almost there now. Sending you a big hug, this is a big step 💙

welcome to everyone who have shared their stories xx

@Ljp2022 im so happy to hear from you and you’re great news! I started to worry that your absence meant you were struggling but this is great news- a little boy! 💙

we are just about to get in the car to go to the clinic. I feel beyond sick. Torture isn’t the word!

@Lp96 sorry you find yourself here. One thing I would double check with your consultant is about the biopsy. I recall reading a report that argued against having a biopsy before a microtese so I believe they are two different things and really worth checking. I THINK (please don't take my word for it though) I think a biopsy refers to a normal TESE .. so just taking a random chunk of the testicle out to test.
Whereas a micro tese is much more in-depth... it involves a microscope and they completely take the testicle out of the skin to have a good look at it and take smaller biopsies from different parts based on which parts look healthy and like they may contain sperm.

I think the argument was that having a biopsy before a micro tese can impact results of the micro tese. I will see if I can find the report later.

I would just double check with the consultant what they mean by biopsy and why they are going for a biopsy before a micro tese. You should be entitled to a micro tese on the NHS and it's the most reliable way to find sperm if the azoospermia is non obstructive.

Also agree it's worth a second opinion from somebody like Mr Jonathan Ramsay before surgery as he could recommend medication to take to increase chances of a successful surgery.

Sorry if this is an information overload!!

How are you coping? Sending big hugs xx

@IslaO youve got this - it’s going to feel like the longest morning ever but once it’s done, it’s done 💕

Thinking of you today @IslaO
We are all here rooting for you!! xxxx

Hi @Ljp2022 that is wonderful news! So, so happy for you. How are you feeling? 💙

Today will be day 5 of stims and I'm just starting to feel some weird pressure and twinges from my ovaries. So assuming they are starting to do something! I didn't find down reg too bad, but the buserelin has been giving me random waves of nausea. It's my first scan tomorrow to check follicles.

xx

@Ljp2022 and @lemons44 thank you!!

Day 5 of stims- you’re ticking along so nicely! Have they done a practice thaw test on your OHs samples? I don’t know if that’s standard but just wondering when they see if it thaws. I’m already worrying about our next step and we don’t even have any sperm confirmed!!!

@IslaO thank you it's starting to speed up now. No they haven't done a thaw test on us. The clinic said they normally do it but because we were squeezed in last minute under a different consultant because Mr Ramsay was off sick, they didn't do it. We will just find out how well it thaws on the day (which stresses me no end). I would try and push for a thaw test if you can!! Just to put your mind at ease 💗💗 what time are they doing the procedure? Xxxx

@lemons44 oh interesting. I’ll ask about a thaw test this morning.

we are in the waiting room now. Nerves at absolute peak!! Will keep you posted!

Thinking of you @IslaO x

@lemons44 thank you! He’s just out. They just went into one testicle and that’s all we know. The wait is killing me.

@IslaO praying the best for you!

@Ljp2022 congrats on the baby boy!! This was your first round of IVF?

@IslaO 🤞🏼💗💗💗💗

we have sperm!!! Oh my god. I’m crying!

they said 2-4 per something and some twitchers. No idea what else he said- it’s a blur.

@IslaO that's so wonderful!!! You and I get to be June IVF buddies!!! Congratulations for the great news ❤️ oh I'm so happy all the stress was worth it and wish your OH a speedy recovery. Mine just went back to work for the first time since the procedure.