Sammi Jane, did you ever encounter any of the resistance towards varicocele repairs that we have? Our FS thinks it is a complete waste of time and said that while it does improve sperm quality, it doesn't improve pregnancy rates. But the studies he was basing that opinion on were including men with tiny little varicoceles and normal semen analysis. The ones that dealt with men with big, easy to find varicoceles, triple defect and normal hormone levels found that not only did it improve SA, but it did also improve pregnancy rates and it's much more cost-effective than IVF/ICSI.
I think they can increase my eostrogen - either that or give me injections of FSH directly so that I can grow eggs rather than using drugs like clomid which try to trigger the body into producing FSH for itself. It's not an area I've read much on - I've been more focussed on the varicocele lately.
We didn't see a FS until after the embolisation was done. We went to a urologist who found the varicocele and who wanted to do surgery to fix it. We then went to the guy that Leah recommended in Kogarah Hospital and had the embolisation done. We then had an appointment with a FS who, after looking at DH's results, said that he agreed with us having fixed it, although he thought the surgery was the better option (not the embolisation). I was quite surprised because I had heard they thought it was a waste of time. I think because DH had the triple defect he thought it might improve something. Well the results speak for themselves, although we're not pg yet.....
It was a very difficult decision to make because everyone we spoke to told us something different. Leah was recommending the embolisation, the urologist recommended the surgery, other things I read said neither would get us pg. It was really hard to feel confident about what we were doing. In the end I decided we just had to choose something and do it, and ignore everyone else.
It is amazing what they can do though isn't it? They can make you ovulate if you don't... it's pretty incredible. I'm sure they will be able to help you.
It's a very difficult area! It's nice to know that we aren't the only ones who have to face the repair or ignore question... and then the surgery/embolisation option if you do decide to repair... Not that it makes the decisions any easier.
The way I figure it, anything that improves sperm count, motility and morphology has got to make it easier to get pregnant! And some reading I have done suggests that leaving the varicocele alone will just make things get worse and worse over time. My DH's effected testicle has already shrunk somewhat, which is rather disturbing!
I know what you mean. I wish there was something I could do to fix it for both of us!!! I agree with you - whatever you can do to improve the sperm quality has got to make it easier to fall pg.
GL, I hope you get it repaired soon and see great improvements 75 days later!!! And get your BFP not long after that!
Hopefully 2007 will bring what we so desperately wish for - motherhood.
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