Azoospermia and SSR- your experiences and stories needed to calm my nerves

[SMMW]

Just wondering if any of you lovely people have been through your partner having an SSR and what lead to this? My partner was diagnosed with azoospermia in March, since then he has had blood tests to check testosterone, FSH and LH. He was tested for the cystic fibrosis gene and had his chromosomes checked. This all came back as normal. Next step is SSR next week, he has t had any other checks e.g physical examination. He asked if he should be taking any supplements etc and was told no. We have no idea if his azoospermia is non obstructive or obstructive. I’m trying to remain optimistic but I am nervous beyond belief. Being able to connect with any of you that have been through this process I feel may help in some way 😊 TIA x

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi SMMW. Obviously a worrying time for you both, but the SSR should be straightforward followed by a little tenderness for a few days. Hopefullyk it is an obstructive type of azoospermia and any sperm retrieved can be stored frozen for use in an ICSI cycle. You might like to have a look at "my hero's" site about sperm. I have masses of respect for this man. Diane

drfertility.co.uk/blogs/mal...

[SMMW in reply to DianeArnold]

Hi wondering if you can help? My partner had his SSR 3 weeks ago. Bruising gone, and pain deceased but one testicle seems to still be a bit swollen. This is obviously worrying him and I was wondering if this is normal or he needs to get checked out? Thank you!

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to SMMW]

Hi. Often the left hand side testicle is naturally larger than the right. If there is no pain I wouldn’t worry too much, but if there is, get him checked out. Diane

[Ladypii]

Hello!

I’m sorry you’ve had this diagnosis, it’s such brick wall to hear for the first time and it really hit me and my husband hard!

It’s great you’ve moved quickly with the tests though and are now on to the SSR. My husband was diagnosed with Azoospermia in 2018, due to research and finding the right clinic and urologist, we’ve only just had our first IVF-ICSI and Micro-Tese in tandem in July. Sperm was found thank goodness and we also have 3 vials frozen. We have 2 embryos in the freezer, so we feel extremely fortunate as our original diagnosis only gave us 20% chance to find sperm and even less to get an embryo.

Obstructive/non-obstructive can usually be determined by a scan to see if there is a blockage or by looking at hormones. Low or poor hormone levels suggest non-obstructive. Which is what my husband has, his Azoospermia was due to an undescended testicle at birth but corrected far too late at 14 years old.

In terms of prep, we probably went a bit overboard but that’s because we were given such low chances of finding sperm so we just wanted to throw everything at it. We saw a urologist that gave drugs to increase my husbands sperm production. My husband also refrained from baths/saunas and wore very loose anti-radiation underwear to keep the sperm cool. Kept his phone away from his body where he could, and we ate organic food where possible and avoided BPA.

I did quite a bit of research on supplements. My husband took Fertilisan M we ordered from a Germany company online. There was no need for my husband to take ubiquinol as dna damage is less likely where sperm is taken via SSR.

I have come across lots of ladies on here with lots of success via SSR, so it is more than possible! Wishing you all the best of luck xxxx

[Bunnys123]

It is incredible nerve wrecking time and I can’t offer any advice other than to be there for each other ❤️

We had a successful SSR in August and are just about to start our first cycle. My husband had the cystic fibrosis gene mutation (blockage) but his hormones were all normal which is a really good sign. Has the consultant discussed success rates with you on finding sperm?

In terms of prep we just ate healthy and both stopped drinking and took a normal off the shelf supplement.

Wishing you all the best xoxo

[SMMW]

We haven’t had any type of consultation so no chance to ask questions or anything. My partner doesn’t really drink or anything but isn’t the biggest fan of fruit and veg so trying to sneak more of that into his diet although I’m guessing that won’t make much of a difference at this stage. I’m just so nervous and hopeful yet scared all at the same time!

[Italy300618 in reply to SMMW]

Try blitszing them in a juicer so he can have them as a drink 👍

My husband has had 2 x SSR operations, both successful, however we were not made aware of any particular supplements that would help with the 1st one, and even though they found sperm and had 5 vials frozen, we had 2 failed cycles.

With a new clinic and a LOT of my own research, he took about 10 tablets a day, the improvement was unbelievable. We had 3 blastocysts.

He took, l'arginine, ubiquionol, alpha lipoic acid, omega 3, acetyl l carnitine, pure o.n.e. vitamin. With both, no alcohol or caffeine no hot baths, loose underwear, went bpa free.

Some consultants recommend proxeed or impryl. Which are all in ones rather than lots of separate tablets. I really wouldn't go for one off the shelf for such an important procedure.

Best of luck to you xx

[SMMW in reply to Italy300618]

Thank you. His procedure is on Tuesday so think it’s too late to start anything now but I am going to mention it to the clinic. I’m just one of those people that will do anything for success and try so hard. He’s much more calm and relaxed (which is helpful) but since the appointment was made I just can’t stop thinking about it all and feel so on edge 😩 whilst trying to remain calm for him and keep smiling and remain hopeful.

[Italy300618 in reply to SMMW]

Oh right I didnt realise it was Tuesday, wow thats great! Wishing him the best of luck! My hubby says that the procedure is fine and nothing to worry about, but some very tight pants will help afterwards, and a couple of days rest! Good luck xx

[Lovemylion in reply to SMMW]

Hi 👋 just a bit of reassurance for you.... my partner has obstructive azoospermia and they took 3 🧪 vials during SSR. We went into our first round of IVF blind and weren’t given any advice about supplements, diet, etc so he carried on as normal. Our first round we got 3 blasts. Second round only 1 fertilised 🤷🏼‍♀️ (I think it was egg quality issue on second round) hope they find some good swimmers for u! Xxx

[SMMW in reply to Lovemylion]

Thank you. It’s just going into the unknown and we haven’t been told if it’s obstructive or non obstructive. However we have been told hormones are normal, no cystic fibrosis gene and no abnormal chromosomes. Just praying this means there are some there but so scared of being that couple that has no explanation and nothing there. Suppose all those feelings are normal though xx

[Lovemylion in reply to SMMW]

I know. Everything your feeling is normal. I remember that exact feeling. I remember fainting when they put his canular in before the procedure through stress of what they may or may not find and I’m also terribly squeamish with a phobia of needles.....not a good combo for ivf but you’ll do anything if you want that baby at the end. However, It all sounds positive to me with the hormone tests so I would be very surprised if it were non obstructive. Ive got everything crossed for you. You’ve got this! Going through all this brought me and my partner even closer together. Xxx

[SMMW in reply to Lovemylion]

Thank you so much! Your reply means so much xx

[SMMW]

Thank you. Yes we received the forms and then appointment was booked a few days later with only a two week wait. Which I’m grateful for, but no time for any supplements etc. But as I said my partner asked and was told he didn’t need to take anything so we will see. My partner also was going to take tight fitting boxers, do you think pants are better?

[Italy300618 in reply to SMMW]

The first time my husband took tight fitting boxers with him and they said, it should really be tight pants, and the day after he went to his normal loose fitting boxers and found it a bit painful. At our new clinic, they actually provided a jock strap for him (hehe!!) you have to laugh xx

[SMMW in reply to Italy300618]

Ha yes we have been finding many things that have made us laugh through the journey so far which definitely provides some light release. May I ask which clinic you are with? Are you from the UK? Or is your username Italy because that is where you’re from 🙈 xx

[Stephybivf]

Hi, my husband has azospermia. We never found out what caused it. All bloods/genetic testing fine. We managed to get 6 vials of sperm during SSR and I had our daughter in feb.

Wishing you all the best xxx

[SMMW in reply to Stephybivf]

Thank you for this xx 🙏

[SMMW]

May I ask when you were told how many vials you had? We have been told today they found motile sperm 🥳 but that’s it. We are waiting on a call in the next couple of days from the lab to discuss if it has survived the thaw etc x

[Ladypii in reply to SMMW]

We were told the next day when the lab called xx

[Lucyann13]

No help here but just want to say We are at the start of the same journey, my husband was diagnosed in July and has just had the blood test so facing an anxious wait to see what they find. Wishing you all the luck in the world, it’s such a frustrating conditioning as they don’t ever seem to give you answers!

[SMMW in reply to Lucyann13]

To hopefully give you some reassurance my partners procedure went well and we have 5 straws of viable sperm

[Lucyann13 in reply to SMMW]

Congratulations, fingers crossed for you!

[Lovemylion in reply to SMMW]

Yay congrats! Obstructive it is then! Xxx

[SMMW in reply to Lovemylion]

I’m thinking so, we are going to ask at our next appointment x