Newbie with a diagnosis

AlohaKumu

Aloha, all. I'm a newbie on this board, trying to wrap my mind around the world of infertility.

DH and I have been seriously trying to get pregnant since early this summer. We were disappointed that nothing was happening, but weren't incredibly concerned yet, especially since I'm a little older and knew I wouldn't have the fertility of a 20-year-old.

We both got basic fertility tests done through our PCPs. All my initial tests are fine, but DH's test just came back last night: no sperm. Not a single swimmer in sight. We don't know if it's obstruction or not, but we know that because of his military history, he may be permanently infertile.

I think that I'm still in shock right now and haven't had the full weight of sadness hit me yet. DH is having a really tough time. Obviously this means that we'll go through more testing and learn our options. I'm so thankful that these boards exist, since I know I'm going to need a community to help get us through this unwelcome surprise. Thanks for listening.

bobby2016

So sorry to hear that @AlohaKumu, this whole experience can be a tough one to wrap your mind around. I don't think anyone really thought they would make it here  

Has your doctor mentioned next steps, are you being referred to an RE or urologist?  

AlohaKumu

@bobby2016 He's waiting on a call to get a urology consult. I know he wants to get seen as soon as possible, but I'm not sure if that will happen before the holidays.

latershrader

Welcome AlohaKumu. Sorry you have to be here. I hope that it's something the urologist can fix easily. Fx!!

JuliaGoolia719

My DH had a really hard time when we got his results back too.  We'd been told by my OB that the issues we were having were with me, and hadn't tested him until about 6 mos ago.  (his wasn't quite as extreme, but we have been told our only option will be IVF and go in for our consult on Monday)

I'm sorry that you guys are in this position, but hopefully you'll get some good answers from the urologist about the issue and can decide what your next steps will be!

adirat

@AlohaKumu I recognized you from the ttgp board -- I'm so sorry to hear this diagnosis. You have every right to be sad and angry right now. 

I'm not sure what to make of your comment about his military history -- did he have occupational exposure to something that could have caused this? Might it be reversible?

Also, if IVF is an option for you guys, there are some remarkable advances with ICSI for men with azoospermia to still father children. 

Good luck with the urologist appointment! I know how awful this is but I do hope you will have a plan to move forward

rainbowwishes5

So sorry you find yourself in this situation hugs 

AlohaKumu

Thanks for all the supportive comments, everyone. It really helps to be able to talk about it with people who understand.

@adirat Yes, we believe that his prior exposure to certain environmental elements in the military could have caused this result. It probably wouldn't be reversible if this exposure was the cause, but we aren't sure yet since we are still in the early stages of the diagnosis.

I'm all for IVF if that will be a possibility for us. DH is very open to any meds or surgical interventions that might be necessary. We are trying to stay positive, so hopefully the urologist can give us hopeful news.

AlohaKumu

Update: The next available appointment with a specialist isn't until January 24, so we'll have to be patient until then.

Does anyone have suggested questions to ask the doctor during that visit?

katie35

@AlohaKumu So sorry you are going through this.  A few years back we also found ourselves in this same situation.  We had been trying for a couple of years and finally went for testing.  Like you, we were in complete shock when the sperm count came back at zero!  We later found out it was due to Congenital Bilateral Absence of the Vas Deferens.  Basically the tube that carries the sperm from the testes out was missing.  Though it was hard hearing that our only option was IVF, it was very comforting to know that we still had an option.  We are now on the journey of IVF with ICSI.  Good luck with your appointment next month!  Fingers crossed that you are able to get some answers!

natalie4oscar

Hi @Alohakumu, I don't have any advice to give on male infertility issues, but I just wanted to say that I am sorry that you find your self in this situation. This board has been a god-send for me and I hope that it is for you also.

AlohaKumu

Thank you for sharing your story, @katie35! It gives me hope Best of luck to you on your journey, too.

I am very thankful for this board, @natalie4oscar. It makes me feel a lot less alone, since I don't feel that I can really talk to anyone in real life. It can be such a difficult, uncomfortable conversation to have, so the boards allow me to research and commiserate with this supportive community.

bump steph

Hi! I've neve commented before, but happened upon your post and wanted to comment. My husband had the exact same thing, (did a SA and came back with zilch). Turns out he was born without a Vas Deferns due to being a carrier for Cystic Fibrosis (doesn't have it, just a carrier). He got surgery (called TESE) and we did IVF and now I am nursing out perfectly healthy baby girl! This is an excruciating time, I totally get it, but hang in there!! IVF definitely works. 

AlohaKumu

bump steph said:

Hi! I've neve commented before, but happened upon your post and wanted to comment. My husband had the exact same thing, (did a SA and came back with zilch). Turns out he was born without a Vas Deferns due to being a carrier for Cystic Fibrosis (doesn't have it, just a carrier). He got surgery (called TESE) and we did IVF and now I am nursing out perfectly healthy baby girl! This is an excruciating time, I totally get it, but hang in there!! IVF definitely works. 

Thank you so, so much for your post. It's really helpful to see stories like this. I'm learning a lot about potential reasons for a zero sperm count! Once DH has his appointment in January, I'm sure I'll be asking for more advice about what his test results might uncover.

dadezbombz

First off. Thank you to your husband for his service to our country.  Secondly,  I am so sorry you're here too! I know it sucks!!!! Also,  DON'T LOSE HOPE!!! My husband was actually on this medication for his feet (diabetic) and when tested,  he had NO SPERM.  AKA, NOT ONE LITTLE DAMN SWIMMER. We were devastated.  I really looked into ALL of his meds.  We finally figured out it was the foot rx. Come to find out, they did clinical trials in mice that made their reproduction basically HALT. I was PISSED!•!!! After coming off the meds, he was back to "normal" but still had a morphology and swimming upstream issue,  resulting in our need for ivf+icsi. Long and short is,  make sure that all his meds don't interfere if be is on any...with your current medical progress,  sometimes you need to vee your best advocate

AlohaKumu

Thanks, @dadezbombz. He's not currently on any meds, other than vitamins, but I will make sure he tells his doc everything that he's taking. (I had never even thought about something like a diabetes medication having such a profound impact on sperm quality!) I think we are already prepared for the news that we have IVF in our future, as long as we can figure out the swimmer situation.

dadezbombz

Ok well anything at this point could totally effect it.  Anyways great to write it down and tell the doc.  Right??? I mean that's what we said. Best of luck please keep us up to date:) @AlohaKumu

bump steph

So glad this was helpful! So the docs knew he was missing the Vas bc is specimen was a lower volume than normal so clearly something wasn't being "delivered". Basically he was born with a vascetamy. So if you have the SA check the specimen volume and also, if he's missing the VD a doc can feel for it. It's really (in terms of fertility issues) the best one to have...bc it's a "fixable" problem. My husbands sperm was fine, just needed help getting to where it need to go