Confusion over diagnosis - azoospermia

[Ginny27]

Hi everyone,

Oh i'm so frustrated, I just want a rant! My husband was diagnosed with non-obstructive azoospermia back in September, the private urologist we saw said sometimes it's unexplained.

As part of our meeting with the assisted conception unit last week we had to meet another urologist who has explained that my husband definitely has obstructive azoospermia, based on his examination and test results (the same results as the first urologist had!). Although really this new diagnosis doesn't make much of a difference overall, in fact it could be positive, I'm just frustrated and confused about who is right! This whole process takes so long, and I hang on every word a medical professional tells me - does anyone else do this? Anyway, it seems we will have a different treatment pathway now, and this will be confirmed when my husband has an MRI in about 6 weeks, but that's another wait.

IF our second urologist is right, my husband will have fine needle aspiration sperm retrieval. Has anyone had this and how has it been?

Thanks so much if you've made it this far, any words of advice for patience and understanding would be appreciated

[Italy300618]

Hi Ginny, it does sound confusing!! At least you are doing things in the correct order, my husband has only just got an appointment with a urologist, after 2 icsi rounds!

My husband has azoospermia, we arent totally sure if its obstructive or not, but through nhs the urgolist appointment was rejected and we were sent straight to fertility.

My husband had surgical sperm retrieval (pesa) in May last year, the process is very quick, and painless it was only afterwards that he was uncomfortable and had to have a few days rest. At the time we had 5 vials frozen.

As we approach round 3, we have gone back to nhs and finally been referred to a urologist as we want to know exactly what the problem is, even though we know IVF is our only route we still want answers. My husband is a carrier of the cf gene which can cause problems in the 'plumbing ' but the ultrasound didnt pick up anything untoward.

If you have any other questions let me know...

It might be worth mentioning that this time we are going to have another sperm retrieval on same day as egg collection as fresh sperm can sometimes me slightly better than frozen. I am not sure if your clinic can do this or not.

Xxx

[Italy300618 in reply to Italy300618]

The waiting is the hardest part, I can totally understand how frustrated you are xx

[Ginny27 in reply to Italy300618]

Wow, it's so interesting isn't it, how different Trusts have different pathways.

It's so good that your husband's sperm retrieval was a success. It'll be very interesting to see what the urologist says for you guys, our second one was able to give us a much clearer picture of what he THINKS is going on down there, but only what he can assume based on the tests. It looks like mine will have FNA.

I guess my frustration stems from the range of consultation you can get from different HCPs. I did get a good vibe from this guy, but then I trusted the first one too! Thanks for your advice, and best of luck with your round three XX

[Italy300618 in reply to Ginny27]

Its difficult, you've got put your trust in them but it's hard when they say different things isn't it! Best of luck to you too xx

[Hidden]

Hi Ginny

can you please tell me how much is the FSH of your husband?

[Ginny27 in reply to Hidden]

Yep, his FSH is 3.3 - which the urologist says was in the 'normal' range.

[Hidden in reply to Ginny27]

i think like my husband,

when the FSH is in the normal range he have hypogonadimse hypogonotrope

so he has non obstructive azzospermia (if he has done the Karyotype test and was all ok 46 XY without microdletion)

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

the solution for my husband was to enhance FSH

so gonal f 150 IU 3 times per week and HCG (DICLAIR) 5000 IU per week

after 6 months results is 100 000 spermatozoide

[SharlyWarly]

Hi Ginny, my partner has a TESA (extract from testicles) every time. Apart from a daft looking ice pack on the area whilst going home, they still get the easy bit!!! It doesn't hurt and it is a day procedure. Good luck x