Retrograde ejaculation

FutureBFP · July 2015

That is what my husband has. We've been trying for 3.5 years now with no luck. We did all the tests and even saw the fertility psychologist to talk about donor.

It's a rare condition that not many people know about so it makes it even more difficult that I can't really talk to anyone about it. I'm 25 and he's 35. I'm feeling more and more hopeless. Ivf is incredibly costly and we just can't go through more debt right now.

Sorry...just needed to vent a little. I hope everyone is doing okay...despite the hurt and sadness you may feel, I am here to support you.

MKLEWIS2010 · July 2015

Hi, I just saw this post now. Good luck on your journey. I have also been trying close to 4 years now. My DH has mfi also so I understand how you are feeling. Please vent any time you need to.

By the way my understanding of retrograde ejaculation is his sperm ends up in his urine, so I am under the impression you would not have to donor sperm.

Isthisthereallife · June 2016

I know it's been a year since you've posted- but just want you to know that you're not alone. My husband has this also and we're trying now.

devilanne · June 2016

My husband also has this 50% of the time. He had testicular cancer and for some reason it works sometimes and others it doesn't. They said it was a risk of his surgery after cancer so we are very lucky it's only half the time. I just worry it will happen the morning of our IUI >< but I'm here and I understand!
~Anne

Isthisthereallife · June 2016

@devilanne

Thank you! I really was beginning to think no one ever experienced this. I'm not sure if you've done any of the "at home" remedies for retrograde, but we heard that Sudafed usually works wonders. In our case, we think the nerve damage is too extensive to make a difference. But have heard it works great for others.

Hopefully it doesn't happen when you're scheduled for the IUI, but like we have to do, they can still retrieve it, wash it, and use it. They just may not be prepared for that if it happens this round. Praying for you!!

devilanne · June 2016

@Isthisthereallife I know how hard this topic is to talk about. Many of my friends know about our struggle but trying to talk about you're husband's ejaculate just crosses a line lol!
Not to get into tmi - but he can usually tell when it's going to happen so he can sometimes get everything working right as long as everything's done his way. I didn't know there were any home remedies though! I just assumed it is how it is. Time for some Google research!
I just recently learned how they could extract it - even if an SA shows 0 sperm count! The things I learn on this board

what is your game plan? Are you guys doing extraction + IUI or IVF? We are on our second IUI this month. I'm hopeful again, which means I'm not a basket case for another couple weeks.
~Anne

Isthisthereallife · June 2016

@devilanne That's exactly how I feel! I would love to talk to my friends but talking about his ejaculate doesn't sit right. Plus, I don't want to call him out or make him feel bad.

The home remedy we know, was actually told to us by our Urologist and RE. It was take 120mg of Sudafed about 2 hours prior to ejaculating. 120mg is sold OTC but you need to show your drivers licence to buy it at the pharmacy. I think there is an ingredient in there that people try and make drugs out of. Regardless, based on all my research, it works well, but hasn't been effective in our case. It's very interesting to me that your husband knows when it's going to happen. My husband and I joke that it would be very convenient if we could just install a switch and control it. When we want to try, turn it out. When we don't, turn it off.

On my next cycle, we're actually going to try our first IUI. The way it works is, we "do the deed", then he empties his bladder. They're then able to extract the semen from his urine, wash it, and complete the IUI. So while I'm not sure what the formal extraction process is - for him, it's pretty easy.

When is your next IUI? Do you take any hormones with it? I'm pretty nervous about that part. I've read a lot about the side effects and how some women feel when taking that and I'm not sure what to expect. Not to mention - you gotta stay calm during that time. No pressure.

devilanne · June 2016

@Isthisthereallife that's totally interesting, glad there's an option for you.
Speaking of switches, I read this article where a guy in Europe developed a male birth control 'switch' that goes in the testes and you can flip on or off and it closes the tube that ejaculate comes out of and he put it in himself to test it out. Totally off topic but talking about switches made me think of it.
I was really worried about the meds too. I've done clomid to control cycles on and off for over a year, and mostly it's just hot flashes. Occasionally moody and sugar cravings (I swear I was gonna murder someone for a cupcake).
With my IUIs, we've done clomid, Femara, gonal f and the trigger shot. No issues with the gonal or trigger but the clomid + Femara made me exhausted. I had to take naps and got out of my yoga routine bc I was so tired all the time. Who knew growing extra eggs made ya so tired? Still have the hot flashes too but I'm pretty much used to them. Menapause will be a breeze lol.
I'm on day 6 right now so very early. I have my ultrasound next wed and IUI prob towards the very end of the month. I was going to ask the doc at the US if we can bank a sample to combine with a fresh one the day of (assuming it doesn't cost a ton). Just to get as many of the little suckers as possible on the day of.
~Anne

Isthisthereallife · June 2016

@devilanne That's a great idea!! At least then you know there will be a lot! We had also talked about maybe freezing some in case his count starts to get very low - but we haven't even gotten there at as we've been so wrapped up in this process. You'll have to let me know what you decide.

That's so interesting about the switch - and kind of funny frankly!

Keep me posted! Fingers crossed that everything goes well and you get a BFP!!

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