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Varicocele? (a little long, sorry!)

Laura SilviaLaura Silvia
in Infertility
Hi ladies. I'm new here and been lurking for awhile, but a conversation I had with DH tonight led me to my first "real" post. I'm not even sure this is the right place for it but I figure this group would have the most info. We've only just started TTC, but DH is nervous about his little swimmers because he has/had a varicocele. Apparently he had surgery for it when he was younger but he said that didn't fix it, and he was supposed to have it again but didn't. (I guess being a teenager or however old he wasn't thinking about kids just yet!) Anyway he said he asked another Dr about it during a physical a couple years ago and he said he should be fine, but I'm a little confused about it. (He's never had a SA, so how could that doc assure him he's fine?)  I'm wondering if anyone here has any info? I've been googling my little heart out (and I even searched on here w/ no results) but I can't find out if it causes infertility in every case - or what percentage it causes infertility. Anyone have personal experience or a link to point me to?  Sorry if this is confusing -- and sorry any of this is naive, I have no experience in this area just yet!  TIA for any info! 
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Re: Varicocele? (a little long, sorry!)

  • CandTCandT
    My DH has this too. Although he's never seen a Dr. for it! I heard it can cause antisperm antibodies(ASA) which is what my DH has, or it can cause nothing at all. Even having the ASA doesn't mean infertility, but it can cause issues. The best thing to do this early in the game is to just simply try or go ahead and get a SA done. Good luck.
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  • tapgirltapgirl
    My DH has one, too, although we didn't know about it until we started going through testing for TTC.  I agree with pp.  Get a SA done ASAP and you can proceed from there.  Good luck!
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  • NYBrideInWINYBrideInWI

    Like PP said, have him get a SA. His primary care doc, a urologist or your OB/GYN can order this for him.

    However...after a varicocele surgery, for some reason doctors don't really understand, PG success is more likely than before surgery even if his sperm count/motility/morphology don't improve to normal levels.

    This was the case with DH and I. We tried for almost 18 months before he had varicocele surgery. Then we waited 3-4 months after his surgery (that's how long it takes to make new sperm) and we got our BFP with TI our 2nd month trying.

    HTH, Good luck!!

    Married June '03. DS born Jan '09. DD born Feb '12. No, we didn't choose to be childless for the first 6 years, only the first 3.
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  • hillareehillaree

    Hi! I don't know the statistics, but I remember reading that the vast majority of men who have a varicocele do NOT have male factor infertility. So hopefully your DH will fall on the good side of the statistic. :) My DH had the surgery in January and it has improved his SA....but it his motility is still low.

    I would send your DH in for an SA (his PCP can write a lab slip for him). Then you can stop worrying when it comes back normal and have fun TTC. And in the unlikely case of a poor SA, it would be better to know sooner than after TTC for many months. GL!

    We are adopting! Currently waiting for our domestic infant adoption match.

    My blog: Making Me Mom

    Lilypie Waiting to Adopt tickers
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  • Laura SilviaLaura Silvia
    Thanks so much everyone!  I talked to DH after reading your replies and I think we'll go ahead with the SA asap. Either we'll get peace of mind when it comes back normal, or we jump right into a treatment plan if it doesn't. Thanks again!!!
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