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.

@pomdownunder1 @WhiskeyInTheJar33 @lemons44 @IslaO Hi All,
It has been a while since I’ve checked in - sounds like you’ve all had rollercoaster rides since then. IVF can have amazing outcomes but it’s truly crap to go through.
Sending you all love 💕

@Ljp2022 so great to hear from you! How are you doing? You must be due very soon??? X

Thank you all.

@IslaO the build up is unbearable! I wish there was a way of predicting if it will be successful. Been trying to read other NOA mTESE success stories. My usual approach is to convince myself it will be the worst possible news and hope for anything better! Which hasn't helped so far, so I'm going for a more positive approach this time round. I am also trying to remind myself we do have 4 sperm in the freezer (although) not good quality, but it really does only take one! This journey is an awful rollercoaster of emotions!
Good luck for the 5th. I'll have everything crossed for you!!!

Hi guys.

I'm afraid I don't have a super positive update for the azoo club ☹️ we think it's quite likely that our second round of IVF may fail.

It started off much better than last time. 20 follicles, 16 eggs, 13 mature, 6 fertilised and 6 by day 3. However the embryologist said she really thinks because of our sperm that we are at higher than average risk of none getting to day 5. So we did a day 3 transfer on Wednesday in the hopes my body will provide a better incubator, and sure enough today on day 5 we got the call to say none of our others developed to day 5. Not just that but they didn't even get to Morula stage they all just stalled at day 3.

Me and DH are trying to come to terms with the fact that it's likely our sperm and an issue with it because the drop off between day 3 and 5 is caused by sperm. We still have a small slither of hope as they transferred the two best day 3 embryos into me, but expectations of one actually working are low ☹️

We've agreed we are going to use our last two vials on another two rounds of IVF and then will call it a day. Today was the first time we really opened the conversation about donor sperm or adoption maybe being our only hopes of a family.

I'm feeling really exhausted after this second round having had two egg collections now it's very tiring!

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 I'm keeping everything crossed for you next week. Honestly you have waited so long for this and deserve it so, so much. My OH found supportive pants helped too. He got the under armour ones on Amazon and they really helped him. ❤️

Oh @lemons44 i have just caught up with this. I’m so sorry to hear of the rollercoaster you’ve been through. I’m sure it just feels like a punch in the gut after what has already been a beyond challenging few years. But as you say, there is still hope. I’m thinking of you and so sorry this hasn’t been an easy part of your journey. Absolutely rotten xx

@lemons44 so sorry to hear what you're going through. It all just feels so cruel. We'll all be hoping for the best outcome for you but in the meantime I hope you manage to look after yourself xx

@lemons44 I am so sorry to hear that. You poor thing. There aren't really any words but we all have our fingers crossed for you 🤞🤞🤞 and please try and take care of yourself.
@WhiskeyInTheJar33 good luck for next week!

It turns out Kings are super quick atm for IVF even via the NHS. I am currently on day 5 of Stims and have a scan tomorrow to see where we are.

@TheFanciestPants thank you!

@lemons44 soo sorry to hear this news. Hold on to the small glimmer of hope, inside you is the best place to be. Fingers crossed it works out, we are here for you! X

Thanks all, I just honestly cannot stop crying. So tearful at the minute even this morning I had to duck out a meeting as I keep crying.

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 not sure if it's today but good luck ❤️❤️ we are all here if you need us.

@TheFanciestPants wow that is quick! Hope you're doing ok on the stims and that the scsan goes well xx

Oh @lemons44 it's heartbreaking 💔 I absolutely feel for you.

My DP is currently having the surgery now! (I hope) It's not been straight forward this morning. Just waiting for news now.

Here if you need us 💐 x x

@lemons44 completely understandable so just do what you need to do. I cry a lot too. Not sure if that helps but maybe you feel less alone 🙃

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 good luck, we all have our fingers crossed and nothing ever seems to be straight forward but at least it's progress!

Thanks for checking in @lemons44 my scan went pretty badly to be honest. It seems if anything the high stims are negatively impacting my ovaries... day 7, 6 follicles (down from the usual 11) with one dominant one (I normally ovulate at day 11/12) and 4 at 6 (one was in the middle between the two sizes). Fully expect my cycle to be cancelled. I have emailed them to ask if there's anything they can do differently as the doctor I saw didn't inspire confidence.

Thinking of you and your OH @WhiskeyInTheJar33 we need some positive news in the group ❤️

Thanks @TheFanciestPants that does actually make me feel a bit better. I'm lucky in that my managers are women and are quite understanding. Oh im so so sorry your scan didn't go very well ☹️ what stims did they give you? It may be that you just need a different type. Some people just react better to different types of stims so it might be they need to change them. Did they start you off high due to a low AMH? Xx

@lemons44 aww it's great they are taking care of you and glad that helped. My boss is toughie a very direct Saffer but he's been fab (I haven't told anyone else at work as I am not really a sharer) ❤️

Yeah, it's a mixed bag for me, which made me suspicious about my protocol. My AFC is normally median, AMH low-ish but not worryingly so and FSH on the lower side (which I thought was positive!). So they started me on 300 Gonal F and then added 75 Meriofert from day 6 (yesterday). After my scan today, I asked and he said he wouldn't change anything which seemed like a massive cop out.

I have asked for a second opinion from the clinic which they have said will be discussed during their lunchtime meeting so will wait and see what they suggest.

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 hoping for the best of news today!
@pomdownunder1 I'm so sorry you're going through so much, but am very glad you're planning on continuing on and pushing forward
@lemons44 holy cow... this is just a huge up and down and praying that either of your day 3's stick!!

I had to take some time away from MN to travel, stipend time with friends, and enjoy our new nephew. Also got a new job and had just been a whirlwind of emotions and craziness going on here.
Had my baseline scan and blood work yesterday and am starting my medicated FET cycle! Starting Estrogen Saturday and transfer is Sept 19th. Super concerned none of our 4 day 5 embryos will make the thaw... staying to make a baby blanket to bide me over during the next 4 weeks. HCG test will be Oct 3rd if we have a successful transfer!

@Sleeter0893 @TheFanciestPants @lemons44 @IslaO @pomdownunder1 @Ljp2022
Thank you all for your well wishes. Just a very quick update. DP had his micro-tese. We were told would be a 30-45 minute procedure turned out to be a 3hr procedure!!! They looked as the left testes first (the one with previous varicocele) and found nothing, just took biopsies. But they found sperm in the right side. We will hopefully get a call tomorrow to confirm this, and how much they have managed to freeze. But cautiously optimistic right now. Will update more after tomorrows call.

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 that's great news! ❤️🤞🤞🤞 for an excellent update tomorrow.

My clinic have come back and suggested changing to long protocol next time because of my dominant follicle. I only get one NHS funded cycle but to be fair to them they have said once I have my scan on Thursday I can decide and if it's cancelled they will let me try the different protocol as part of my funded cycle. So, not ideal as my follicles seem to have vanished, but it could be worse.

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 that's awesome they found some on the right side! Maybe giving some hope too you, my husband only had one testicle available for mTESE and they found 6 vials from that one. Our provider started it could be anywhere from 30 min to 3 hours, depending on how long it would take so I think yours just tried to do everything to find a much sperm to be successful. Excited to hear an update tomorrow and keeping my fingers crossed for you!

@lemons44 im so so sorry this is happening to you both. Totally understand the tears, when we were (incorrectly as it turned out) told those were our options I remember the tears too - it’s just so overwhelming. I’m sure it doesn’t always feel that way but when you start thinking about it you can’t stop can you. I am cheering those two lil embryos on from MN but completely understand your reticence to feel too hopeful. Glad you responded better and you’ve got your egg retrieval protocol sorted so you know what works best for you now.

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 really hope it’s more positive news tomorrow

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 the 3 hours must have been excruciating for you (and him too!). That’s torture but what a great bit of news at the end. I’m optimistic for you too! Please keep us posted!

super busy at work at the moment but thinking of you all and hoping for some good news on our thread soon.

@lemons44 in my thoughts a lot and I’m holding onto every bit of hope! As @Carla2601 very wisely said, you have your protocol nailed and that’s definitely a reassuring thought!

@IslaO @Carla2601 @TheFanciestPants @Sleeter0893

Thank you! Had an update today. They managed to freeze 2 vials yesterday. Of what was left they spun last night and rechecked this morning and managed to freeze a 3rd vial! Consultant was pleased with the result and says we have enough for multiple rounds! DP is extremely happy. I just feel very overwhelmed by everything. They've said I just need to email the team to start IVF but I'm just going to let everything sink in for a bit and get the ball rolling when I'm mentally ready! I feel like we've got off one rollercoaster, am not ready for another just yet.

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 that's amazing news!!! So happy for you and your husband and definitely enjoy the moment. I completely understand that and did the same for a few months. This is a marathon, not a sprint :) congratulations again!

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 thats really great news, hope you can enjoy this high moment on the rollercoaster and def good to take your time if that’s what feels right for you. Good luck!

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 that's amazing news! So happy for you. Hope dh is recovering ok xx

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 that's amazing! 👏
My cycle is cancelled as we had one great looking follicle and one ok looking one yesterday and when I started with 9 that felt pretty crushing.
I wasn't super impressed with their response of "sometimes this happens". But after much cajoling, they think my follicles get recruited earlier than normal so the next step to try is the long protocol with Busrelin. The glamour of down regulation will be mine starting at the end of September 🙃.
@lemons44 just checking in and sending you all my best

@WhiskeyInTheJar33 so happy for you as I know this has been a long rollercoaster of a journey for you! I know it’s hard to celebrate positive steps as we always automatically start worrying about the next steps. But this is a huge win so really try to see it as that! X