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 :)

Yeah, I hope so too. And I have a cycle in between to hopefully shake everything out so my January cycle isn’t impacted.

That’s awful I’m sorry to hear that, sometimes they have no tact at all. I think they forget it’s the whole of our lives even if it’s just 10minutes of their job! Definitely push for some answers, EmmaTheEmbryologist is very responsive on Instagram and often does Q&A so could provide a bit of help too if the clinic don’t respond.

Do you have nice distracting plans the next 10 days? xx

Really wishing January is the one for you! 🤞🏻
So no clomid, will you just have regular scans then to monitor when you're going to ovulate naturally? Might be nice to avoid the meds.

I will push for answers if I don't hear from them soon. The first embryologist that called on day 1 was lovely and he gave me their labs direct number so I might just call that later on. I was feeling really positive about our clinic until this.
We had booked a holiday for next week but were debating whether to go or not. I think we will definitely go now as we could really do with the break!

@Magix86 so glad to hear you had your transfer yesterday! Keeping fingers crossed for you! So sorry to hear the big drop, but I believe it is still great news that at least you have an extra frozen one! Hope they are able to explain how this happened. I agree they should have a call you to discuss you further.

@Disco24 so sorry to hear that your cycle was finally cancelled. I can't imagine how you must be feeling :( Hoping you can enjoy the Christmas break. Sending you a big hug from here!

No much updates from my side. I started my injections on Monday, so far I am ok (I guess it is too early for side effects). The only thing I have noticed is that some hours after the injection I feel extremely cold. They didnt tell me this could happen but doing some research online some people were saying they experience this when taking bureselin. Also I am feeling pain on the ovaries from time to time. But all manageable so far. Let's see how it progresses.

Oh ladies!! I've been thinking about you both these past few days.

I'm so sorry to hear that your cycle was cancelled @Disco24. I can totally imagine how you must have felt 😭. This journey is full of hiccups and twists and turns. Time just never feels on your side. I guess it's good news that your body is doing what it needs to do on its own though and you don't need medication. Sending you lots of hugs. Looks like you'll be syncing up with my timings next time then!

@Magix86 sorry to read you had a fair drop off. The communication style sounds quite cold as well! That's not fair. Definitely push for more information. Knowledge is power in this journey.

On the other hand, so exciting you had your embryo transfer and you have a little frostie too 🥰. Keeping fingers and toes crossed for you!!

Only update I have for you guys is that the pill has made me sooooo emotional. I've been very up and down with my emotions and crying a lot. Hope it calms down soon.

@Blue234 hope you are finding injections okay.

@StarJasmine93 I think our messages crossed😄Ohh sorry to hear that you are more emotional than usual! Hope it gets better soon!
I think it is good to be mindful of the hormones party we are having with all these medications. I already said to my husband to not take me too serious if I say or do any non sense, as normally when I am on my period I am a bit irrational😂So lets see how I react emotionally to this medication

Yeah exactly that @Magix86 theyll scan me every few days and see what my body does on its own. Then if there’s anything not happening, hopefully not, but like my follicles not maturing enough, they will know what medication to prescribe. So January cycle is more a fact finding mission, who knows whether IUI will happen then.

@Blue234 wow I’d not heard of that side effect either! But glad you’re not doing too badly, how long do you follow this protocol for? Thank you for the hug 🥰

@StarJasmine93 yay I hope we are cycle buddies. Hopefully the wait doesn’t feel too long for us. I’m sorry the pills been playing you. I was the same on Clomid, forgot how much hormones mess with you!

P.S @Magix86 go on holiday!! My nurse said it’s all about what’s going to help mentally, if a break will help, then it won’t negatively impact anything 💖

@Disco24 thats an amazing question...I am quite upset with my clinic. In my nurse planning they told me I would need to take this medication for around 4 weeks and then will start stimulation for 2 weeks. Last week, however I noticed in my clinic portal it was saying something different (2 weeks of downregulation and 2 weeks of stimulation) which actually put high hopes on me thinking the egg collection would earlier than expected. However, I contacted the clinic saying I believe this is an error, but they say it is not.
Summary, I am a bit in doubts with my clinic at the moment... But in any case, when i go for my first scan in two weeks I wont leave the clinic until they clarified what the hell they did.

Oh for god sake! How annoying, is it so hard to get clear communication. I’m sorry that’s really frustrating for you. Definitely get some answers next time and get it clarified.

The mixed messages I received last week on whether I could naturally ovulate or definitely not, and whether they would do the IUI Friday or Monday. It’s so difficult to manage expectations and emotions.

@Disco24 unfortunately this looks like a trend, as per what also you and @Magix86 experienced recently. I guess they try their best as there are some unknowns even for them (or also maybe sometimes just try to cover their backs), but yeah we are the ones coping with the emotions and expectations which becomes more and more difficult the longer this journey gets.

But anyway, hopefully we will all get there soon🙏

Looks like you'll all be cycle buddies in January! Strange side effect of being cold after the injections @Blue234 I haven't heard of that one before.

I'm really disappointed and considering a complaint to my clinic. They did call me yesterday and they told me that they did actually have 2 more that made it to blastocyst but weren't good enough quality to freeze. They didn't tell me this on the day of our transfer and only told me yesterday after I'd asked. I asked them why they didn't transfer the 2 that weren't good enough to freeze, and freeze the 2 good quality ones. They just said I can ask for that next time (??!!) and that they see that getting 2 good quality ones is really all they aim for. We were entitled to 4 transfers with our funding and I feel they've taken that opportunity away from us 💔

@Magix86 so sorry to hear this, thats unbelievable. They should have explained to you the situation before actually taking an action. I understand maybe they considered the other two ones had lower chances of pregnancy, but in my view, they should have left it to your discretion. If they had explained to you in advance I wouldnt be saying this but, so sorry to say this but sounds to me like their usual game on not ruining their success stats...In any case dont let this stress you out! All what matters now is the progress of your current transfer 🙏

Re-feeling cold after taking buserelin, yeah they didnt tell me about it but checking online lots of people are reporting saying. But anyway, if this is all, I am signing off now 😂Lets see how things move on. I am having a bit of headache today tbh, but nothing major for now🙏keeping fingers crossed for now!

@Magix86 that is wild!! I would definitely be complaining. I can't believe they took that option away from you without consulting you first.

Did they say anything else about the two that weren't of good enough quality to freeze not being good enough to transfer??

Sorry you've had to face this!! That's really unfair.
Sending you lots of hugs.

Thanks both. I wanted to take some time to process it but have decided we will definitely make a complaint. It just doesn't feel right and feels like we've been cheated out of a potential transfer. They didn't say they couldn't be transferred, just not frozen.
Appreciate you both responding.
Hope everything progresses well with the meds and keep us updated! 🙏

Morning ladies! Hope you are all doing OK. I wanted to share the news with you as it's official test day today and we have our BFP! 💖
Need to test again on Sunday and then let the clinic know

@Magix86 I just saw your message on the other thread!!!! Omg how exciting!! I'm so so pleased for you ❤️🥰. What a lovely Christmas gift.

How are you feeling?!

Thank you @StarJasmine93 😊 I'm feeling good! I'm not sure it's fully sunk in to be honest. I know we still need a positive test on Sunday and then need a good outcome from the initial scan. There's so much anxiety about every stage so I think I'll relax a bit more afterwards. Haven't really had a huge amount of symptoms but definitely feeling more tired.
Hope your meds are going OK? How are you feeling?

Keeping everything crossed for you! Must have been amazing to see the positive test though 🥰.

I haven't started proper meds yet, not until the 2nd. Just on the pill right now. Feeling fine now my hormones have settled. Was quite emotional when I first went on it but I'm okay now.

Oh sorry, I wasn't sure when your injections were starting! Can't keep up sometimes lol. Glad the emotions have settled x

@Magix86 just saw your message on the other thread😍😍 i have been thinking of you these days! Congratulations! This is the best early xmas gift! So happy for you and your partner!

Thank you @Blue234 !! 💖 hope you're doing OK also!

@Magix86 all good on my side thanks! 11 days into injections now but no major side effects for now🤞. Looking forward to my scan next week to confirm whether downregulation has been achieved and we can move to stimulation phase🤞🤞

@Blue234 that's so exciting!! Happy the injections haven't been too bad for you. Looking forward to hearing updates if you're happy to share along the way x

Yessss @Magix86 congratulations, proof you only need one 💖 So happy for you both and please keep us updated xx

My side, I’ve just started my period after my cancelled cycle so, ready for this regulation / flush out cycle to be done and then we go again unmedicated this time. Definitely a stranger cycle post Clomid etc, but still bang on 27 days so thankful my body knows what it’s doing xxx

Thanks @Disco24 💖
I think January is going to be a busy month for all of you! Really happy for all of you starting so soon now. It's great your body is doing what it normally does, maybe that's a sign that the meds weren't needed 🤞🏻