No Sperm found, should be do a Biopsy

My partner and i had been trying to conceive for 5 years when we decided it was time to investigate it further. I had alway thought it was my fault we couldn't conceive because when i was teen i had POS, When we went to the doctors he just casually mentioned my partner should get a sperm count before we went through costly tests with me.
To our surprise it came back with zero sperm, we were referred to IVF where He was sent for tests, His blood came back good, his chromozones came back fine, his ultra sound on this testicles came back with no blockages and all was good, 2nd sperm count came back with no sperm as well.:wall:
My test results reviled i was all normal again no more cysts.

He is heart broken, all he has ever wanted is his own family, and now he cant have it.

The IVF specialist did mentions something about a biopsy but he said it was highly unlikely we would find anything. I don't know if he could go through the disappointment again if they were to find nothing.

He isn't open to the idea of a sperm donor cause he will feel like the child isn't his own, i hope he changes his mind as i don't want to get to 50 and realized i missed my chance. :crying:

Can someone please give me some hope???

And does anyone know how much it will cost to have a biopsy done?? (no privet health insurance)

Advise please!!!!:confused:

Jen, I'm so sorry to hear your story. I'm afraid I can't offer any personal experience, but why don't you google some of the private clinics? Some of them publish a price list, and otherwise you could just phone a few and ask the receptionist. I'm sure they're very used to dealing with enquiries like that.
I really hope you find a solution.

Hi Jen, and welcome to BB! I'm sorry to hear of you and your DH's predicament. My DF had a snip 12 years ago so when we got tested before we tried for a baby his count came back at zero. Luckily wheh they did the biopsy they found enough of the smimmers to do a cycle. I guess the difference between my DF and your DH is that my DF had sperm but they just weren't coming down the tubes. I think from memory it cost around $500 but that was 3 years ago. I really hope they find some swimmers in your DH. All the best in your TTC journey hun.

Hi Jen and welcome to BB.

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.

HI Jen & welcome to 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.

Best of luck

Thanks for the support people...:D

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!

What a shock for you! :hug:
Maybe with a bit of time to process this your partner will be ready to try biopsy.
Wishing you all the best~~

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.

Hi Jen86

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!!

Any questions, please ask!

Good luck!

Amy

Hiya Jenn,

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.

Good luck, Amy x

Hi Jen,

We also had a biopsy done via the MIVF clinic and DH only had a local and he was fine. They also found sperm which was great but as he had a vasectomy reversal which scarred over so we kinda new it was more they couldn't get out than any issue.

While there is no guarantee they will find sperm I would encourage DH to do it only so you know you have left no stone unturned. Maybe once you know you have done everything you possibly can to have your 'own' genetic child you could talk to the counselor and maybe they could help your DH to start thinking about other options if you need them.

Mind you my DH was exactly the same as yours....he didn't even want to think about donor when it was brought up before we did the biopsy!

After not talking about my partners problem for over a year...... We had a chat about it the other night... He has decided he will get the biopsy done!!!:clap:
Were going to look into it next year after our wedding!!

Once a man has been Diagnosed with Azoospermia does that mean we will never be able to conceive naturally? Have there been some cases where the man has produced sperm for no reason after being diagnosed with Azoospermia??

Jen, I can't answer your question, but I'm very pleased that your partner has come around to the idea of a biopsy! best of luck!

Thats greats news Jen! I cant answer your question, but we have been given a 1 in 10 million chance of a natural conception:(

Jen,

Wishing you all the best! I just want to update on my previous post & say that my gf ended up doing another round of IVF and she fell pg with twins & is due very soon! (her husband had to have a biopsy). Best of luck!!

Wedding is done now!!! 10.11.12 - best day of my life!!! :loveshower:

I have now given up smoking to increase our chances of conceiving through IVF.
But first we need to have the biopsy done. Hopefully we will get it done mid next year (2013)!
I find i'm get anxious about the whole thing, i just want to be a mother already!

Has anyone used or heard of FSDW (free sperm donation worldwide) ???

If my partner doesn't end up having any sperm i was thinking about using the site but i would like to know other peoples experiences?

Congratulations to all those who have conceived :happyforyou:

Jen xxx

Hello again!!!

So my DH had a meeting with the IVF specialist today to discuss his Biopsy.

The receptionist told me our referral was still current, that we had until April 2013..... but the lady at the desk today said it expired in April this year. I wouldn't have made the appointment if my referral wasn't current because you don't get any $$ back from Medicare. I am already frustrated with the whole process!! LOL :wall:

Anyway The doctor said all is good, we just got to call him when were ready to have it done, Its only a 2 week wait. :dance:
We don't want to do it until Mid 2013 as we have house renovations to do first!
The specialist recommends a OPEN BIOPSY. DH will require 2-3 weeks off work to heal. :o
For anyone who is wondering about costs the sperm collection (assuming there is any) is around $620 and you get around $420 back from Medicare.
For the scientist to attend its $325 (no Medicare rebate) and initial freezing costs are $300 for the first 3 months and $200 for every 3 months after that (no Medicare rebate).

Jen

Hi Jen,

Good news that you are going ahead with the biopsy! Do you mind me asking what your DH does as a job? The reason I ask is my DH is a diesel mechanic and after his open biopsy is took 6 weeks before he could be back on the tools. Even on light duties he split the stitches twice!!!