Bad News

[teresabanner]

So today my partner received a phone call from the doctor about his sperm test. We knew it was going to be bad news but didn’t expect his sperm count to be zero. I don’t know how to feel or if anyone has had similar news. The doctor didn’t even offer an appointment to meet with her to talk about where we go from here so feel completely lost.

[Blondyboo]

So sorry to hear this but all is not lost I have seen others have zero count but there are ways of getting some sperm i believe? others on here should be able to reassure you xxx

[Leesara]

I have no words of wisdom I'm afraid, but I'm sure there will be some way around it. Maybe give the clinic a call and ask for a consultant appointment if u haven't already got one booked in. Wish u lots of luck xox

[ICSI32]

Is it the first test? My partner had a zero sperm count on first test and then had a second test and got 40,000. We got put forward for ICSI and the first time he had to do the sperm sample for the ICSI it was zero again but then the next lot they got some and we were able to make embryos and we are now 11 weeks pregnant. Some peoples can fluctuate!

My good friends partner had zero count and they kept testing but couldn't find anything so they used a sperm donor in the end and she's now 7 months pregnant.

It's different for everyone, but if it's his first test he needs to go back surely?

[teresabanner in reply to ICSI32]

Yeh they suggested going back but think he’s in shock bout it all that he said no. He had cancer as a baby and they said back then it could leave him infertile

Thanks for telling me though I’ll let him know that it has happened to others cos I had no idea

[_MrsC]

I'm so sorry to see this. I will pray that there are steps you can take and that your journey can continue towards having a baby together. xxx

[Cinderella5]

Oh I'm so sorry, I really feel for you! It's likely you'll need to do a repeat test to check it hasn't changed. Your other partner may be referred for some extra blood tests to try to account for the results (my hubby had these done as his count is very low) and depending on what they show there may be the option to surgically retrieve sperm. It's must be a shock so just try to be there for him meantime until you get a chat with the Dr. Sending you a big hug!xx

[ICSI32]

I'll never forget that day we got the first test back as zero. I thought that was the end. We were destroyed. But you have to keep going, you have to be strong and have more tests and look at different options, don't give up on your journey, there's so much more that can be done or different ways to make it work

[Daxi16]

That seems wrong that they didn't book you at app? Have they referred you on to a specialist? I know it's hard not to have a melt down but get with a specialist and find out the hard facts and what the treatments are. All won't be lost and knowledge is power xxx

[teresabanner in reply to Daxi16]

Nope the GP hasn’t referred us anywhere yet which I found odd too and it was just a phone appointment which I found odd too

[Daxi16 in reply to teresabanner]

Heartless s**ts I would ask to be referred to the fertility clinic and make a complaint about the way you have been treated. They did the same to my partner just said to him count was ok ish explained nothing. It wasn't until we got to the fertility clinic they explained a lot more. So many thins can effect the sample. Don't give up xx

[Hidden]

Sorry to read of your bad news, but please don’t give up hope. I received news yesterday that I have Sertoli Cell Only syndrome, had 3 SA over 4 years showing zero sperm and then a testicular biopsy which revealed I don’t have the cells that produce mature sperm, I really do feel for you both, it’s not news anyone wants hear whilst working through this journey. It’s not very nice of your Doctor not following this up with a consultation to discuss the next steps, they should be doing all they can to help you both, our consultant on our first visit said we will do x then y and if we still find nothing we will do z, so we just worked our way through the stages. I have my fingers crossed that a second test comes up positive for you both, keep trying and never give up hope.

[Cinderella5 in reply to Hidden]

I'm not sure if you saw this reply Hidden below. Perhaps you could have a chat with kyell2....?!

[Kyell2]

I'm so sorry about your bad news. My OH had that same phone call about 6 months ago.

It's very tough to take and he almost went into shock as it was so unexpected.

If it's his first sample then he should be referred to a urologist now to see what else can be done. I wonder why the Dr didn't mention that. Lots of men are having success with sperm retrieval and he might need some blood tests to check his FSH etc ( if not already done) There is still hope but I remember how difficult it was to see that. It's a very stressful journey and I remember thinking I wish I had been the one that had the fertility issue rather than him x

[Ang24816]

Hi hun.

My husband has obstructive azoospermia which means he does produce mature sperm but it just cant get out. He had an infection around 5 years ago which blocked the vas deferans. We were not warned at all by his GP at the time this could cause fertility issues, he was just given a 5 day course of antibiotics.

We were absolutely devastated when the clinic called us...we had been trying for 8 months and decided to have a private fertility MOT done just 'to be sure all was okay' we didnt expect anything to be wrong with him...i had gallstones at 13 and a rectoplexy at 28 which left me with an unfunctioning bladder and had to have a superpubic cathether for 4 months to try retain sensations...it did somewhat but i am still unable to empty so have to self catheterize (sorry, went on a bit of a rant there) so we thought i might have issues, husband has never even had a filling let alone anything serious.

My husband got the call while at work, he couldn't even speak when he called me....we got home that night (23rd Dec 2015) and cried all night....xmas was cancelled that year!

The clinic had started talking to us about sperm donation and asked us to come in for another seman sample in 2 days as it had to be 3 days between.

I called our GP as i knew it was likely to be a very long costly road and got an appointment for the next day....my husband was asked to get a sample into our local hospital on his bday....as its a hour bus ride away and the sample had to be deposited within 30 mins of production he had no choice but to use their toilets as they had no facilities...fun way to spend your bday!!

The hospital lost his sample so a week later he was back there to do it again

We then had 3 samples of 0 sperm so they confirmed azoospermia.

We did alot of research and discovered there are two types....obstructive and non obstructive....we prayed he had obstructive so we could have a chance at being biological parents.

Once my husband had had various blood tests and examinations they decided a bi-lateral testicular biopsy would be sensible...

Roughly 4 - 6 weeks later we made our way to the hospital to find out his results...this was May 2016. He amazingly had normal production in one testie and half in the other meaning we could have icsi. We were sooooo happy.

Now a year after our first ICSI attempt we have had 3 failed cycles and one success (misscarried at 6.5 weeks)....we found out today our 4th time didnt work sadly. Its a really hard journey which starts with alot of pushing from your side to get answers.

My advice is to go to your GP ASAP and ask for a confirmation analysis then when you have two ask to be referred to a urologist....with the NHS you have to push for everything and chase at every turn....its not easy but keep going.

I really hope you find that you have the chance like us and you have an easier ride.

Sending you lots of love xx

[lorraineb61]

Sorry to hear your news. My husband was also told that he had zero sperm with NHS. He was booked in for sperm retrival but due to a mix up it wasn't done & we were removed from the NHS list. We decided at that point that we were going private anyway as I was struggling to get my weight down to pass the BMI test so wouldn't have been able to go any further with NHS.

The same tests were done in the private clinic & there is sperm there!!! We asked why NHS would have told us there was none & got told that sperm work on a cycle too (which I think is about 70 days). It's not the greatest quantity or quality but it's suitable for ICSI.

I know it's a huge blow to your husband to hear that news & hopefully time will let him come round & do the test again. xx