Varicose treatment/ICSI?

[Hithere22]

Just comparing my partners semen analysis results - not sure what to do next…

His ultrasound report said that there is a moderate to severe varicocele on the left measuring 3.2mm with moderate retrograde flow demonstrated (what does this mean?) and mild varicose on the right at 2.5mm.

My partner has been taking anastrazole every other day as prescribed and now worried that overall numbers seem to have decreased since taking.

With numbers like this.. is it worth having varicocele treated? Is there any chance of unassisted pregnancy If varicocele treated with these starting numbers or is it extremely unlikely and we just need to process with needing ICSI? I don’t want to move forward with false home when I just need to come to terms with whatever it is! Thanks x

Hi @Hithere22

With regards to the retrograde flow, I believe it means the blood is not flowing in the right direction (tends to pool in the varicocele) which is usually palpable when you do the Valsalva manouvre. This generates heat and sperm do not like heat. You will still probably need IVF with ICSI as numbers are low and also with a varicocele you will likely have alot of sperm DNA fragmentation.

My DP has a left varicocele and has azoospermia (no sperm). His hormone levels were slightly on the low side too. We saw Mr Ramsay who prescribed Anastrozole and his hormone levels have improved but still azoopermic. We are currently under Guys hospital now for IVF and the urologist we saw there has suggested we go for varicocele emobolisation to improve our chances. If he is still azoospermic 3 months post surgery then DP will need micro-tese prior to ICSI. DP if having embolisation Friday so hoping this works.

My husband has low count as well and we went straight to ICSI. We were initially told by a urologist that he could feel a potential variocele but to confirm with a scan. We never did as we went straight to ICSI. If I could go back, I would have treated the variocele. We didnt get any blastocysts out of six of the seven cycles we have done. We got lucky on our fourth as I put my DH on clomid and anastrozole. I get lots of eggs and we make lots of embryos. Usually around 11. My point is that by not treating the variocele, the sperm may be of poor quality and it will affect your embryos. IVF is a tough process, both physically and emotionally and financially as can take a few cycles. I think you need to resolve your sperm issues before attempting it. That’s just my advice though. We are trying for a second baby and no blastocyst in last 3 cycles has taught me that we need to sort out the vareocele. I wish it hadn’t taken so long.

Thanks so much for responding. I think we've decided on getting the varicocele done, just waiting for the private hospital to call back for a consultation now and hoping we can get booked in quickly.

I think I'm in this weird phase of hoping that the varicocele could 'fix things' in order for us to become pregnant unassisted but deep down I know that it's almost impossible with the numbers! It's so hard as it's such a different path than expected isn't it? Hope you don't mind me asking but how did you process needing ivf? I feel like there's such a stigma and I keep reading things online (massive overthinker) and it puts such a downer on everything! I know it's just because it's the raw, processing stage.. x

Thanks for your reply. That makes sense re the retrograde flow. As it's still raw and I'm in the processing stage; I think I'm a little in denial thinking that the varicocele embolisation may help us without assistance but I know with those numbers it's almost impossible.

Wishing you all the best on your journey and with the embolisation.

Do you mind me asking where you're having the embolisation done please and how long it's taken to get booked in? I've received such variable quotes!!

Thanks x

@Hithere22 we are having embolisation done at guys hospital on the NHS. They have less than a 6 week waiting list. They have been super efficient.

DP has been in denial about it happening naturally too. He keeps hoping something will show in his semen analysis and we can fall pregnant naturally. But even with perfect sperm numbers, motility and morphology there's still only 20-30% chance of pregnancy each month. I like his optimism because in a ideal world I wouldn't put myself through IVF but here we are!

Varicocele surgery isn't always successful too! But it's worth exploring if you can. I've seen quotes ranging from £3,000-£5,000. Are you under an NHS hospital for the IVF? Could be worth exploring it with them too?

Wishing you the best of luck x

Hi everyone

I just wondered how you were all getting on? We're in a similar situation! @Hithere22 @WhiskeyInTheJar33 @Bonster37

Hi @alt22

DP had his embolisation. He had a few issues during his recovery but is now ok. Prior to the procedure he had no sperm. He did a SA 3 months after and he had a few sperm! He's been doing samples every couple of weeks to freeze what's there to avoid the need for surgical sperm retrieval however his most recent sample had no sperm in again so not sure what's going on! He's got to do one more sample before we decide the next steps.

Hi there,
We're looking into having varicocele treatment currently. In terms of recovery, did your DP have any specialized underwear post surgery? I've heard of a couple of different ones, Cool Beans Underwear look kinda interesting. Have you ever heard of or bought these?
Thanks