Normal Sperm Analysis - possible varicocele?

[TTCWithCHSweetheart]

Hi everyone.

I’ve done so much research the last few weeks and the OH and I have spoken to a few doctors.

My OH has a normal sperm analysis so we assumed our issues laid with me and my egg quality. My results are all normal but obviously we can’t really test egg quality. So we’re unexplained.

After a few rounds of IVF/ICSI we have discovered DNA Fragmentation of sperm and have booked an appointment.

In the process we mentioned that the OH went to the doctor before our 2nd cycle about an issue with his testies and was told it could be varicocele but even though he mentioned we were having trouble conceiving, the doctor didn’t mention it could be a problem. 🤦🏽‍♀️

We know the GP can’t really say for sure if it’s that but would the OHs sperm analysis be normal if he had varicocele? Or would he have a low count etc?

Clinics really do not look into male fertility much at all do they. It’s all focused on the female. And when it’s unexplained it’s such a minefield.

Any advise would be amazing!

[Rain415]

Hi!

I completely agree with your post! They don’t seem to look at make fertility the same way. All of my tests came back fine but my husbands count and morphology were boarderline low. This was a year ago a urologist found a large varicocele and he was due to have surgery in feb but was cancelled due to Covid. His urologist said removing it should improve our chances however our fertility consultant isn’t as convinced and referred us to ivf. Could you talk to an urologist? Ask for a referral perhaps?

[TTCWithCHSweetheart in reply to Rain415]

That’s the plan really. We are booked for a DNA fragmentation test and I think we will talk to a urologist when we do that. I’m so annoyed that no one has even mentioned we speak to a urologist at all. We are told we should go for IVF after IVF. Thousands of pounds later and were none the wiser apart from the research we have done ourselves.

I husbands count etc are all normal so I just have no idea what to think!

Have you managed to get a new date for his op? Was it on NHS? Xx

[Rain415 in reply to TTCWithCHSweetheart]

It’s so frustrating! I think we only got referred because his count was boarderline low. But I’ve noticed the urologist and fertility consultant contradict each other. Consultant recommend well man tablets to help his count and the urologist had never heard of them and said won’t do anything. We’re currently starting ivf as the surgery is still delayed. It’s on nhs but looked at private and they said still have a delay also. We are going to wait to have it on nhs 🤞 It doesn’t take too long! I hope they look more into it for you! Being unexplained must be so frustrating especially if they are not looking too much into him. I didn’t realise how common varicoceles are as well until I did some research. Hopefully urologist will have some more answers for you. Forgot to add, after lifestyle changes etc. My husbands count has doubled and now classed as average so don’t think it’s all about the count being normal.

[TTCWithCHSweetheart in reply to Rain415]

Thanks hun that great advice. It really is so frustrating and I’m tempted to hold off on another round of IVF until we know more as we have already done 3 rounds. I feel like we’re just throwing so much money into something we know nothing about all because they won’t look more into the male side.

I have my fingers crossed for both of us. It’s a crappy situation to have to be in isn’t it xx