Male Infertility

tonymahoney

Hi all,
Got an embarrasing question to ask all. How many males reading boards.ie have had Semen Analysis {SA} done in recent times to find out there is little or no hope of conceiving. I have been married for over 2 years now and trying to have a kid in that time. After "nothing stirring" during this time, we attended Dr. Darling as private out patients in the Rotunda. 2 SA's were done and both came back with little or nothing there worth talking about. Today he referred me to the HARI clinic for a full SA and a future appointment with Dr. Mocanu, where a very helpful and cheerful girl made light of the whole thing which made it a lot easier to discuss. (I have an appointment for my full SA in a couple of weeks)

Has anyone or does anyone know anyone else that had a dysmal low sperm count with little or no hope of conceiving, to find that something changed and their SA increased over months and successfully conceived at a later stage.

I would be really appreciative of any comments / suggestions on this matter as I am heading to a point of great disappointment and resolution that I will not be able to father a child with my lovley wife?

Thanks for reading and understanding this sensitive subject

LegacyUser

If its any help, my girlfriend (who is 18 now) and her younger brother and sister were all born out of IVF because of her dads infertility. Is this an option for you?

Carrigart Exile

tonymahoney wrote:

Hi all,
Got an embarrasing question to ask all. How many males reading boards.ie have had Semen Analysis {SA} done in recent times to find out there is little or no hope of conceiving. I have been married for over 2 years now and trying to have a kid in that time. After "nothing stirring" during this time, we attended Dr. Darling as private out patients in the Rotunda. 2 SA's were done and both came back with little or nothing there worth talking about. Today he referred me to the HARI clinic for a full SA and a future appointment with Dr. Mocanu, where a very helpful and cheerful girl made light of the whole thing which made it a lot easier to discuss. (I have an appointment for my full SA in a couple of weeks)

Has anyone or does anyone know anyone else that had a dysmal low sperm count with little or no hope of conceiving, to find that something changed and their SA increased over months and successfully conceived at a later stage.

I would be really appreciative of any comments / suggestions on this matter as I am heading to a point of great disappointment and resolution that I will not be able to father a child with my lovley wife?

Thanks for reading and understanding this sensitive subject

I assume you have been given the usual advice about how to make what sperm you have healthier, looser underclothing, avoid certain food and drink, etc

Cancer-chick

I know im not a guy ..but when i was 17 i was told that due to problems with my ovaries (which resulted in 1 being removed..scar tissue ob the other) that i would never ever have kids. I saw 3 consultant obgyn's who all said the same..

I have a six year old daughter !!

Dont give up mate.. I know that you are worried and society puts so much pressure whon u when u are married a year or so .. People can be so instnsitive but there are lots of options .. I would talk to your wife about your fears and then see what your options are ..

Hope it all works out ..
Have faith

LegacyUser

What are your actual figures? I had an initial screening at Rotunda which gave rise to concern, however on being tested at another clinic several months later, it seems that all is now fine (i think i know the problem with my initial test - through many, many hours of googling!!). However, as a result of my extensive research and worry, i/we (the wife's in on it too!!) have a reasonable lay person's understanding of the emotional effects and also the seriousness of the condition. There is a lot that can be done, depending on the numbers - but, you also have to prepare yourself for the possibilty that nothing will work. Whilst my SA problem seems to have gone, we've still had no luck with our treatment (although we are still in the early stages), save that they can now tell us we are "unexplained"!! Great isn't it!

bruce wayne

also, did they tell you, you were infertile or sub fertile. I's in a similar situation, and was diagnosed as being sub fertile, caused be varicose veins on my testicles. One quick operation to remove them, and six months later my levels were back to "acceptable" levels

tonymahoney

All
Thank you for your advice and support. Situation is I have been to see a urolgist and all is well in the southern regions, no blockages etc. The doc in rotunda said initial 2 tests were very poor [4ml or something] abysmal but I am now awaiting a full SA in the HARI unit in the next couple of weeks which will be a lot more detailed and may be the start of ICSI treatment but the way Doc. was indicating little or no hope.

I should mention also I am a sufferer of A.S. [ankylosing Spondylitis} and am on weekly mediaction for this {enbrel injections}. All literature for this never even considers a drop in semen count yet I am so dependent on medication cannot come off it for more than 6 weeks or all symptons kick in and I am in agony. As there is at least a 3 month cycle for any dramatic change in SA, my current condition wins V coming off medication.

I suppose I must not lose faith yet and keep trawling the internet for clues as to what is wrong, with the help of all you good people.

Thanks

LegacyUser

'I know how you're feeling. My wife and I went through the exact same thing as you. As you have a low sperm count, the HARI unit will more than likely offer you a treatment called ICSI - where they inject a single sperm into the egg. Theres a good success rate and there's loads of stuff on the web about it. It's a tough time and I wish you well. We now have a lovely daughter as a result.'