It doesn't sound like your specialist was very hopeful but they did suggest it so maybe it is worth a try.
I know that you say that you aren't sure how your DH would cope with the disappointment if they can't find anything but maybe it would be the little push that he needs to think about other options and if they find something woo hoo! There is a possibility that there are some there but for whatever reason they aren't making it our (lack of strength etc).
I'm not in any way trying to push you towards having the biopsy if your DH doesn't want it but I am a no stone unturned kind of person and it would do my head in knowing that I hadn't explored every option.
I'm sorry that I can't tell you about the costs - but your specialist's receptionist would be able to tell you.
All the best - and don't be a stranger - we are always here to have a chat - the disappointments associated with long term TTC are well known to many people here on BB.
A friend of mine DH has the same issue - no sperm found but they opted for a biopsy & found some, so they are ttc via IVF atm. (first attempt, they had no success & are on their 2nd attempt)
I don't know the costs associated with a sperm biopsy, however this will be discussed with you prior to commencing IVF.
Muppity - I agree with you it would do my head in knowing all options had not been explored i just hope my partner will come around to idea... maybe hearing these stories will give him some hope.
RhiChiChi - thank you for sharing your story with me as it gives me more confidence that there may still be chance for us!! and best wishes for your friends.
Miss.B - even thought it was a couple of years ago it still gives me a rough idea of how much it will cost.
Pholi - thanks for that advise i might just give my local doctors a call to get a price!
Welcome to BB. From what I know in men that have no sperm found from a SA it is very rare to have a biopsy and no sperm to be found. I'd say the likelyhood of them finding sperm would be much much greater then not finding any from a biopsy. I guess before you both make the choice as to weather to have the biopsy or not you need to way up the pro's and cons and both outcomes. I too wish you both the best of luck. If I can find my IVF book I'll write what it says in that about sperm biopsies. I know it covers an area where no sperm is found and where to from there.
I know exactly how you feel. My husband found out 3 years ago that he had no sperm after he did his semen analysis. We had also been trying for 5 years and thought it was my endo that was causing the infertility.
We went to a fertility specialist in NZ who did a biopsy and actually found sperm, they discovered he had a blockage.
In august 2009 we did an ivf icsi cycle where he had a fresh biopsy. We ended up with 12 embryos, but only 2 made it to 5 day blastocyst stage. We had one embryo transferred and fell pregnant! We now have a 13 month old boy!
So I would definitely try it if your husband is up for it. My husband went under a general anasthetic and couldn't complain at all. I think it cost about $500 plus theatre fee. We went through Monash. You should be able to call them for a price list.
I am about to have the second embryo transferred next Tuesday! If it doesn't take, we have my husbands sperm frozen so he won't have to go through the process again.
I wish you all the luck in the world. It is a very emotional time, but if you don't try, you will never know!!
I felt like I was reading my own story when I read yours!!!! My husband had exactly the same thing. We decided to forgo the biopsy and take our chance at our FS actually cutting him open and searching through the tissue in the testes. Worst case scenario was that I would have gone through a whole IVF cycle and they would have had to freeze my eggs. I waited until he was out of surgery before I went in, the FS came out with a big smile on her face and said they found enough sperm for 3 IVF cycles.
We did one cycle last August, they could inject 5 of my eggs and of the 5 only 2 survived. We used one which resulted in a chemical pregnancy and the other (along with his other sperm) is in the freezer awaiting our return from Europe.
Dont give up.....definatley get a second opinion from another FS.
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