Azoospermia - Donor Route Support

[Blue234]

Hi everyone!

This thread is dedicated to those of us navigating the azo journey and considering or have chosen the donor route.

I thought it would be great if we could share our experiences, offer support, and help each other through this challenging path.

Looking forward to hearing your stories and supporting one another along the way.

I am happy to start this thread by sharing our story:
-After around 1 year TTC, we were diagnosed with unexplained non-obstructive azoospermia back in March 2024. We were given 30% chances of finding sperm with MTESE but my partner decided he wanted to try all we could before moving to option B.
-We had MTESE done via NHS in August 2024 and unfortunately it was unsuccessful. We had lots of discussion before the surgery and we had agreed that we would good via donor route if the surgery wasn't successful.
-We have now been referred for a NHS funded IVF cycle using sperm donor (funded by us) and currently waiting for the clinic to call us to have implications counselling.
-In the meantime, we are currently in parallel the process of finding a suitable donor.

I’m feeling a mix of emotions right now. On one hand, I’m happy and excited that we still have a chance to become parents and the idea of a future baby brings me so much joy. But on the other hand, there’s still a lingering sadness about what we’re going through, especially when I think about what my partner is facing.

Even though I know it’s not all about genetics, who hasn’t dreamed of having a baby that looks like their partner or a blend of both of us? While I believe I’ve mostly come to terms with this, a part of me still feels a bit heartbroken.

Choosing a donor is challenging. We try not to overthink it and even find moments to joke around while browsing profiles, but there’s so much to consider. One thing that particularly worries me is the possibility of our child wanting to contact the donor when they’re an adult. What if the donor isn’t kind to them? I know this is something far off in the future and out of our control, but it’s been on my mind lately.

Sorry for my long message, I will stop now! But just thought of sharing some of my thoughts to start with!

Looking forward to hear your stories!

@Magix86 @StarJasmine93 looping you into this new thread :)

Of course, hope this works for you: https://pathstoparenthub.com/replay-webinar-understanding-donor-conception/

The nurse said to test 12th Feb, but I’m due on Monday 10th which is 14days post IUI. I’ll be lucky if I make it through that weekend 😅

I’m also on progesterone just as a ‘why not’, so trying to not symptom spot as very aware they’re the same side affects! xx

@Disco24 thank you will check it out! Ahh I just realised - you must have a longer wait with IUI than IVF. I was so glad to have a test date of 10 days lol.
Ah the progesterone is lovely isn't it 😅 only 2 weeks more for me and I can stop!
I do hope the next 2 weeks go quickly for you x

Yeahh longer wait as with IVF your embryos are already day X, where as mine is hopefully day 1 today! Glad you’re nearly done with the progesterone too 🥳

@StarJasmine93 thanks for sharing! I will watch it when i get the chance. Hope your scan today goes well!

@Magix86 I am jealous you are almost done with progesterone 😂how many weeks do you have take progesterone? They have told me to take progesterone during the first 8 weeks only, so I still have 3 weeks ahead.

@Disco24 ohh i didnt realise either that you the wait might be a bit longer! How are you coping with it?

@Blue234 well the doc we saw for our consultation definitely said 16 weeks but didn't document it anywhere. The Nurse at my 7 week scan said that was highly unusual and they generally either stop at 8 or 12 weeks. I wanted to continue for 12 weeks but they weren't keen (sounded like more of an NHS funding reason which annoyed me) and reluctantly agreed for 10 weeks. I didn't tell them I had an extra box at home lol so will continue with 2 a day until 11 weeks and then go down to 1 a day which will get me to 12 weeks. I'm actually quite anxious about stopping it

@Blue234 how are you feeling? Any symptoms yet?

@Magix86 makes sense now! I was worried maybe I didnt get it right from my clinic!😂

No new symptoms for now (and hope it stays like this 😂). I am still having some discomfort and pressure normally in the evenings. Trying not to think that I might wake up any of these days with morning sickness😂How are symptoms going on your side?

Yeahh coping okayyyy obviously googling everything but unlikely to get symptoms, if at all, for at least another week so I just need to focus on getting through each day until we know ❤️

Can I ask what both your issues with progesterone were? Just want to understand why you’re excited to stop 😂

I’m glad your symptoms are still mild @Blue234 xx

@Disco24 good to hear you are coping well! I know very well what you mean about googling everything 😂I do exactly same.

Re- progesterone at least for me, I dont find very pleasant using the pessaries. Most times when I insert the pessaries I really feel like going to toilet immediately and I really struggle to hold on for at least one hour 😂Actually in a couple of occasions I just couldn't wait, then I was very worried that I might have messed up

@Blue234 hope it stays that way for you! I've just felt weak generally since the beginning now. Not exactly tiredness but just feeling rough and unable to do anything. Pleased to say that's eased over the last couple of days and I feel more able to do things in the day.

@Disco24 completely understand that feeling! Taking it one day at a time is all you can do at this point. Maybe plan some nice things to take your mind off the waiting.

The progesterone hasn't really caused any issues as far as I can tell. It's hard to know what symptoms it's actually caused, as some I also had on stims (sore/sensitive boobs) and also now pregnant lol. For me it's just the annoyance of having to time it for the same time each morning and night. And I'm using them rectally so it would just be nice to stop having to put them up there each day 😆

Hey ladies, me and my lazy follicles back to give you an update 🙄😅.

No egg collection for me on Friday! I'm still not ready!! Honestly it's maddening. They want at least two follicles above 18. I have one at 18 and one at 17!!!! 🙄🙄. So got yet another scan on Friday and hopefully by then they will schedule my collection for next Monday.

The good news is that the more time that passes, the bigger my other follicles are getting. I have 12 overall and last scan only 5 had made it onto the chart (10mm+) but now nearly all of them are on the chart! Hoping as many get above 14 as possible because the nurse said any that reach 14, they will try to drain.

More injections for me... I'll have done over 50 for this cycle by the time it's done 👀.

@Magix86 if you don't mind me asking... What's the benefit of doing them rectally vs. vaginally? 😅

Oh gosh @StarJasmine93 I'm sorry for the delay! But that's really good news that you might end up with more follicles by waiting a little bit. They can grow between 1-2mm per day. Honestly sounds like that's the right decision for you. 50 injections sounds insane tho! 😦

Happy to answer any questions! I've never tried them vaginally but I read a lot of other posts about the pessaries and everyone spoke of a lot of 'mess' coming back out doing it that way 😅 nothing comes out at all rectally so just feels a lot cleaner if that makes sense!

@StarJasmine93 oh no! Boooo to lazy follicles, but the idea of more growing is good! Hoping Friday you can get locked in, you’re only 1mm away 🤞

Wowwwww 50 injections?! You are such a trooper 💪

Yes that does make sense @Magix86 I’m only on day 2 but I can definitely relate. What I’ve read is the medication comes in a waxy coating so that’s what the mess is! I also didn't get told about not going to the toilet after @Blue234 , just that I have to lay down for 15mins after then it’s mostly gone. So hoping mine have been fine too 😅

I love that our conversations are now at this point 😂

I know! Im so over this stage now 😭. Just want to get to the next part. Trying to stay positive.

I'm reading a book called Nuclear Family at the minute... It's a good read! About twins who find out they are donor conceived when they are in their 30s. Worth a read if any of you fancy it.

This is really interesting about the pessaries 😂. I'd not really given them much thought because I'm not at that stage yet. When do you start taking them?? How many do you take a day? They sound worse than the injections haha.

Hi ladies! How are we all?

Little update from me... The scan last Friday went really well and we had egg collection yesterday ☺️. They got 11 eggs!!! And 8 have fertilised!!
I know we still have a few hurdles to get over but I'm so amazed and happy with my numbers so far 🙌.
I'm still in a bit of discomfort from the collection. How long did this last for you @Blue234 @Magix86 ?

@Disco24 how you finding your TWW?

Hi @StarJasmine93 I have been thinking of you and waiting for you update! This is great newws🎉🎉🎉 you must be over the moon!🙏 Is your transfer on Saturday then?

I guess everyone is different but I had pain from the surgery for around 48hrs. My problem afterwards was though that I got really bloated and was feeling like i was gonna explode and I was feeling very uncomfortable. This is when I got very worried that it might be OHSS but luckily the doctors did a scan and they said it was all normal due to the surgery and also to the large amount of eggs I got retrieved. By the time I had the transfer I was luckily ok, so we could go ahead with the transfer.

@StarJasmine93 woohoooo what amazing news! You must be so relieved! I’ve been wondering how you were getting on. Also I’m not sure about IVF protocol with progesterone, but I had to start taking the day after my IUI.

I am 8DPO today, so 6 days to go 🫠 I think I’m relatively calm, trying not to symptom spot but also aware of every mini cramp 😂 had a wonderful acupuncture session yesterday so hoping that will do the trick 🤞❤️

Yesss @StarJasmine93 amazing news!! So happy for you, have also been waiting for your update! Such a great number. When will the clinic update you again?
So sorry I didn't see your question about the progesterone. I was on 2 a day and I think I started like the day after egg collection?
Hope you're feeling settled soon. I don't remember being that uncomfortable after my collection, but I did take it really easy and hardly did much.

@Disco24 really sending positive vibes to you. Not long to go now!!

Thanks ladies! I'm so so pleased! Yes @Blue234 my transfer will be Saturday if we make it that far 🤞🤞. How you feeling @Blue234 when is your scan?

Good to hear you are managing to remain calm @Disco24 !

@Magix86 yes I had to have a pessary last night and now I'm on two a day. The next update we get will be Thursday which is day 3. We will find out then how many have developed to embryos and get the grading for each.

I've still got a fair bit of pain... Just trying to lay flat as that gives me relief 🤣

@StarJasmine93 will continue to think of you for the day3 update 🤞🏻🤞🏻
Drink lots of fluids - electrolytes or isotonic drinks should also help x

@StarJasmine93 keeping fingers crossed for your day 3 update! I completely forgot about the update before the transfer!

As @Magix86 said, they really recommend to drink lots of water. Hopefully you will get better soon :)

I am ok overall thanks! My scan is next week so still need to wait a bit!

@Disco24 no long to go! Good to hear you are coping well with the wait :)

Oh great idea. Off home for electrolytes! Been having 2/3 litres of water a day, but anything to help implantation I’m here for.

@StarJasmine93 let us know what you hear on day 3 ❤️

Day 3 update: we have 5 good quality embryos 🥹.

Basically now, no news is good news and we will find out how many have made it to blastocyst stage at our appointment on Saturday 🤞🤞. They will then tell us the grading etc.

Just hoping as many as possible of the 5 are strong enough to get to day 5 😬.

I also found out today that a 9th egg fertilised 24 hours after the others... I didn't even know that was a thing?!

Hope everyone is doing okay xx

Ahh @StarJasmine93 I've been thinking of you all morning! So happy you've been able to update us. 5 is amazing 👏
Will keep everything crossed for you for Saturday but it sounds so positive. Well done!

I also didn't know that was possible, especially with ICSI! - did you have ICSI?
I find I learn or discover something new all the time with this Fertility treatment lol. Hope you're feeling OK

Yeah I'm pleased!! Happy I've had good news today. Just praying for continued good news on Saturday 🤞.

No so they did IVF for us rather than ICSI. Apparently the donor sperm was really amazing quality even after it had been thawed. Which I guess you can see in the fertilisation rate of 9/11 🤔.

It's all very interesting. I do find the drop off rate mad though.

How you getting on @Magix86 ? x