We’re just beginning our journey so joined this community to hear your experiences and maybe ask for advice! I always knew I would have trouble conceiving as I have a pituitary brain tumour - though was reassured the process would be pretty straightforward - I have all the equipment, I just need treatment to get ovulating. It was only when my husband had his tests done to make sure there was nothing wrong with him that we discovered there was. Basically no semen in 2 samples - docs are pretty certain it’s non-obstructive azoospermia. However, a recent visit to the urologist revealed he had a varicocele which could be affecting things.
SO - he has been referred for an op to fix that with a 6 month waiting list then it takes a year to work. It has a 20% success rate and I’ve read that it’s very unlikely sperm will return to semen if he has azoospermia, though it may improve quality for ICSI. If it doesn’t work then there’s another 6 month wait for sperm retrieval and if we’re lucky and that’s successful it’s another 6 months for ICSI.
So possibly 2 and a half years for anything to happen, if we’re very lucky. Is anyone else struggling to cope with the timescales?! (Though I am of course very grateful to the NHS for providing this)
Thanks and all the best to everyone 😊 x
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RebJG
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Sorry to hear this, but yes timescales for waiting are really hard to deal with. I needed to have a second op and was told it would be at least a year. I’m 37 and didn’t think i had a year to waste, so paid for it privately. Yes it is very costly and it was even done by the same guy that did my first op - on the nhs - very frustrating!!! But it was booked for two weeks later within 48 hours.
Not always the answer due to the cost (luckily I had family help) but depends on the circumstances.
Thanks for your reply - hope the op was successful and things are going well!
I did think of private but it’s only a 6 month waiting list for varicocele treatment so I figure we can wait - I’m 31 and he’s 34. It’s more the year to see if the treatment works! I might look at private for the rest of the process though.
It’s been useful looking at this forum though - a lot of people with similar experiences.
Thanks for your reply. Did it work for him? The doc suggested the varicocele treatment might help improve the quality of the sperm even if it doesn’t return it to the sample. But it’s such a long wait! I am 31 so think we have a wee bit of time though.
Aw it’s a complete nightmare with all the waiting.
We went straight for SSR as my OH couldn’t handle the wait and so like the ladies above we paid to have it done privately. It was expensive at 3k but it was worth it to get an answer.
Can completely sympathise with how hard it is to wait - I am driving myself slowly insane and struggle to keep my mind off it. My OH had his varicocele operation yesterday (we went privately because we didn't want to wait for NHS). We were told by both our urologist, a private specialist in male factor, and the doctor who performed the procedure, that we should start seeing results from as early as 3 months after which should steadily improve over the course of a year following the op. That said, OH has severe oligozoospermia rather than azoo so I'm not sure if this changes the timeframes you've been quoted? We go back for a retest in mid August so happy to share what we find out if that's helpful.
It’s tough isn’t it!! It just feels like there’s SO much to get through before seeing any results, if anything at all. But I suppose we just have to be positive until we know more! I figured we might as well go with the NHS as wait only 6 months. We’ve got a catch-up appointment in August so I’ll ask about those timescales. Please do share - best of luck with your journey too! xx
I think if you can handle the waiting times then do as once you start paying for treatments it can all get very costly and you both have age on your side. Can you put your hubby down for a cancellation appt? This may help you get him seen sooner. Was there a reason that the consultant did just go straight for sperm retrieval? My hubby has very low sperm count and was also investigated with karotyping to check he didnt have a genetic reason for this, might be something to enquire about incase there are tests that can be done meantime. I see you mention that you have a pituitary tumour.....I wonder if you can help me? Are you one meds for this and did you have raised prolactin levels and how long did you diagnosis take? Ive had raised prolactin for a few months and a tumour is being considered for me so just looking for some info too.xx
Hi, thanks for your reply! I agree with your point about going with the nhs. We have time and will still consider paying at a later stage but might as well make the most of what’s on offer while we can. My husband has zero sperm count in sample but has a varicocele so they suggested fixing that first in case it is what’s stopping sperm. Then if that doesn’t work we’ll do sperm retrieval. He’s had various other hormonal/chromosome tests which all came back normal. In terms of my tumour - this presented itself as a teen after terrible headaches so probably quite a different situation from you. I’ve always known it would be an issue having children. Fingers crossed your situation works out! x
That's good that he's had the other tests all done! It is frustrating having constant wait after wait but all I can suggest is to enjoy life together for the time being, go on holiday etc.
Thanks for answering about the the tumour thing. It is very different but thanks anyway!xx
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