Male Factor Issues

Hi, I can't help a lot sorry because we're not far along our journey either, only found out this month that my partner has male infertility issues, extremely low sperm count due to an op when he was younger so we are in a similar boat to you. Our specialist was talking to us about examples where males have had zero sperm count and they've been able to operate to get sperm and then with IVF ICSI had success so that is a good hope for you two. Have you had all your tests completed? If your all fine then that should help as well : )

Hi babycrazy.

I didn't want to read and run, but both yours and Creams story seem similar to the Jayjay and Dom story and thought you might like to read their blog and have a look at the segment about them on Sunday (blog is at http://jjdom.wordpress.com/2010/03/16/4thtimelucky/).

We don't have as serious MFI issues but I found their story really helpful as to the whole process - just a warning, they don't get a happy ending, and I cried reading the blog and watching the show.

Good luck!

Hi babycrazy,

Well hopefully things go well with your urologist and you might even be able to have a shot with your partners sperm if they can do the op and not need to go down the donor path but either way, it's still amazing we have these options available to us, it makes me very grateful to live in a country where we can get help like this.
I guess we've been trying for about a year but we knew deep down even before I went off my pill that we wouldnt be able to conceive naturally but we also knew that doctors wouldnt really take us seriously until we had been trying for at least a year so we went off contraception to make sure we had that basis covered and sure enough, we havent even come close to getting pregnant. We did a home sperm test that came back poor and did a couple through the doctors that came back dismal before being referred to Fertility Associates just a couple of months ago. Our plan is to go on the waiting list next month and to do IVF with ICSI when our turn comes around. All my tests have come back pos so far so as long as my darling partner can keep on track with having at least a few sperm like he does at the moment then that will be the way for us. We're just umming and ahhing over how long a wait will be too long on the public waitlist to make us try a private round first but we'll just have to wait and see I guess. Like you I'm in my 20's so I guess at least we have age on our side : )

We also have Male factor.

You will need to wait to see what they come back with as to what options they can give you - but hopefully they might be able to do the one where they remove the sperm from the testys themselves and hopefully find some in there :)

It's a tough long road but one you will learn so much on and hopefully get your prize at the end!

Good luck girls :)

Been on the waitlist for a year and the time is nearly here :)

Have they not given you an appointment date yet? Can you ring and ask for one? Are you waiting for the doctor to refer you do you mean?

Oooh exciting! I don't think they would have told you the wait yet because you have to go have your appointment and from there you find out if you've been "accepted" publicly or not. There's a few factors to get past to get accepted.

Hi there Babycrazy, IVFgirl & others!

I'm also in the same boat, with severe male factor infertility. We got the man test done this time last year and I remember the phone call well, when my husband called to tell me the results. Pretty devastating as I'm sure you all completely understand.

We were getting 2-3 sperm per collection, so not a great result, but something to work with. FA has been relatively helpful, but they did say that this condition is so rare, that we're an 'unknown entity'. Eeek! They havent been able to diagnose a reason despite a range of tests.

So on we went to IVF with ICSI. We are now on our 2ww.
It's been an interesting process this far, but quite challenging when we got to fertilisation and tranfer. We collected 15 eggs, 8 fertilised and then ended up replacing one embryo. We didnt have anything to freeze unfortunately.

FA said that the low rate of suitable fertilised eggs was likely due to the male factor - as in potentially less than optimal sperm. but that's all they could suggest as it seems that there is not alot known about male fertility issues.

Sorry to ramble on for so long - it's quite nice to meet some peeps that are in a similar situation!

Good luck with your decision making!

Hi there DinkyDonkey, sorry to seem nosey but interested to hear if you got some exciting news after your two week wait?? Fingers crossed for you.
My partner has a similar sperm count to your partners so hopeful just to hear you managed to get a fertilised embryo.

Hmmm I would check to see then if you can pay privately for your consultation I think it's around $240 and then you will see if you can get on the public list. Because you might find waiting for the 4-5 months to be told you can't get on the list because of several factors.

Even just ring to see if you can make an appointment :)

Yep I totally would, our referral only took a month if it was going to be longer I would have paid for it ourselves :)