No sperm in 1st sample

[Peaches465]

DH and I had some basic fertility tests done after TTC for over a year. DH sample showed zero sperm. We suspected something was wrong but nothing as bad as this. It’s been a shock. I know the next steps are tests to establish why he has no sperm (eg hormonal, blockage) but just looking for a hand hold or some positive stories for those who’ve been there. It feels like the worst news we could have got. I know realistically we’re probably looking at ivf now but it’s all a bit daunting, not to mention frustrating that all these months of trying and getting our hopes up, there has literally been 0% chance of a bfp.

Hi @Peaches465
Sorry you are going through this. I was in your position 11 months ago so know exactly how you are feeling. DP and I were devastated when we got the initial news. My advice would be to get a second semen analysis done as things can change sample to sample and an ultrasound (to check for varicocele or any other abnormalities that cause a blockage).

DP has had 3 SA now and all 3 have been the same and has been diagnosed with non-obstructive azoospermia. We ended up going privately to see Mr Ramsay in February (as it was a 9 month wait on the NHS). Mr Ramsay arranged bloods to check his hormones and chromosomes. This mostly came back normal (although testosterone was on the low side). Mr Ramsay prescribed medication to boost his testosterone levels and have recently have had blood results to show things are going in the right direction.

Since being told we always knew it would be IVF with ICSI with DP needing a micro-tese. Mr Ramsay said it would be 50-50 if micro-tese would be successful. But with DP's hormones improving these odds are hopefully improving in our favour. Also 1 in 10 men get some sperm back in their semen (not enough to fall pregnant naturally but to avoid micro-tese). We have our first appointment with our local NHS IVF centre in 2 weeks time so hoping for some more news then.

Please feel free to DM me if you want to chat more / ask any questions. Wishing you the best of luck x

Hello, sorry to hear your going through that. DH and I were given the same news a year ago, we were also devastated and very confused at first.

Since then, my husband had genetics tests and hormone tests which were all normal. We met with a urologist who took a look and said he thought it was obstructive azoospermia. DH then had surgical sperm retrieval (pesa) and we are currently having ICSI.

Feel free to ask any questions. I know how difficult it is but there are lots of different options and outcomes after an azoospermia diagnosis so don't feel that all hope is lost xx

My DH has obstructive azoospermia - he had a successful micro TESE and we did ICSI last year which was thankfully successful first time.

I remember the day we got the first 'zero sperm' result though, and it was earth shattering. Interestingly they didn't know if it was obstructive or hormonal/genetic until they did the procedure as the results were relatively inconclusive.

Thanks so much for the very kind replies. My head is just spinning at the minute, all we can think is of the worst case scenario that we will never be able to have a child together and it’s so nice to hear some more positive stories from those a little bit further along in this (horrendous) journey. I’m 34 so feel time is running out and I’m terrified that IVF won’t work (and it’s not like there is even a tiny chance of it happening naturally in the meantime), but think we probably need to take it step by step now and not focus on the end outcome but it’s so hard!

Hi @Peaches465 - a lovely lady on another thread I'm on was in a similar position earlier this year and started private IVF very quickly and is now 11 weeks pregnant 😊. Obvs depends on the cause of the zero sperm, but don't lose hope. There is much much more to do before you do that. For ourselves we have low count and ever just with that, I was kicking myself for not getting the SA done sooner because I felt there were many 'wasted' months of hope. I've been there. It's hard. Good luck x X

I think it's positive that they found the cause for your struggles, as at least you know where you stand and what the next steps should be. Don't lose hope ! If the azoospermia is obstructive (meaning there is healthy sperm, it's just not finding its way out) then you should have really good odds with IVF. I believe it's quite rare for there to be absolutely zero sperm, although surgical retrieval is no fun obviously. Fingers crossed for you !

I was the same as you at first and was so scared we would never have children. Definitely just take it step by step, focus on the hormone tests for now (and I'm assuming they're doing genetics tests too?) Try not to worry too much about everything else and the final outcome (although I know how difficult that is!)

It took exactly a year from azoospermia diagnosis to ivf for us (nhs) and that year has gone so quickly, just taking it one step at a time. You will get there and there's so much the doctors can do to help you nowadays.

I found talking to people really helped. Once I'd told a few friends and family about the azoospermia, it got a lot easier for me. Would definitely recommend that if you haven't already xx

We are in the same boat and, pending another consultant appointment tomorrow, for us it looks like it's a chromosomal issue and DH may be totally infertile. It's very hard obviously but we have discussed options. I know it's not for everyone but we have tentatively agreed to look at sperm donation. For me, I want to parent with DH. I understand he may have mixed feelings about it and we are looking at UKDCN for support.

I'd encourage you to look into some counselling if possible - for both of you but separately. I think this is one of those things where it helps so much to be able to share with someone removed from the situation. I want to be there for DH, and this means holding back some of my own feelings, so counselling is helping with talking through where I'm at.

Most of all, travel hopefully - there are so many possibilities and it's amazing what treatments are possible now. Sending good vibes your way!