Zero Sperm Count

Hi Dazzz - We had the same thing around a year ago. Nothing in the first test. DH re tested after 6 weeks, and there was 'some' sperm. We were referred to FA. I have endo, so our combination isn't good. We will be starting IVF with ICSI at the beginning of next year. We already have 2 straws frozen with his sperm. There is a total of 20 sperm. (as in the sum of fingers and toes!) So, he really is infertile. I laugh when people say low sperm count of 1 mil or something, becuase to us, that is high! DH will do a fresh sample on the day of EC, so hopefully we don't have to use the straws. We are in Wellington too.

Our Dr sent the referral letter to FA on xmas eve last year! So we had to wait until Jan 5 to hear from them as they were closed and got an appointment in Feb. We did go private for this apointment as we didn't want the extra wait for a public appointment. But we are shift workers so it took a while finding a date which suited both us and FA.
We've found FA really good, helpful with all questions. DH thinks the dr we are using is a bit strange. I find him quite funny, this helped me relax during appointments.
We are starting IVF (publically funded) in Jan, so it'll be around 11 months wait, which is what I had heard is the time frame for Wellington. I think if you're older than 35, you might be able to rangle reducing the time. I'm only 26, so time is on our side there. But if you go private, you can start in a month or two.
We did all the pre testing with our own Dr then FA requested more tests which were for more specific things ie. Any genetic problem with the sperm, my AMH etc.

You are right about those comments. I tell people we're focusing on buying a house and doing it up before TTC. Then they answer "well, you never know!" Yes, we have a tiny, tiny amount of sperm, but they are useless when my tubes are blocked due endo, so IVF is the only way for us.

I hope this helps. :)

Hi Dazzz, ask for more comprehensive screening of your partner's blood; get them to do a chromosome check. My husband had the same thing, called "azospermia", with the first sample having zero, then his second sample having three sperm in it. The chromosome tests take two weeks. We found that he has a balanced chromosome translocation, meaning we will neve conceive naturally and we must have "preimplanatation genetic diagnosis" (PGD) which is a test on a single cell from each embryo, to see which embryos have a balanced set of chromosomes. If this is the case, you will qualify for publicly funded IVF and go to the top of the waiting list. Please message me if this is the case, because I don't know of any other couples where this is the case for the man, only for the woman.

Hi MrsMW
- Is that a test we need to request or is it one that is routinely done on men with zero sperm? He has been ordered to do a second lot of bloods but only for testosterone + FSH again. I will indeed message you should the results come back the same as your husbands.

Thanks typical_kiwi ! We have an appointment for early next month, would have been earlier but they've requested my blood work be done prior as well.

Thanks kiwi - I'm sure they will.
So much to try and get our heads around, its quite daunting when it's unknown - Great to have forums like this to find out more!

Our appointment is only three weeks away so not long of a wait.
I started a blog when we found out if your interested to see, only 8 or so posts so far but thought it would be really good for me to write about it.
http://loveholmes.blogspot.com/

Hey. My DH has been tested and come up with a zero count. He has Crohn's disease. When he was tested about 4 years ago he had a count of 'slightly below average' so no one was overly worried. I was told to go off and loose 10kg before we could be referred to FA. At the beginning of this year he had a count of 1 million so
FA were talking about IVF/ISCI and had him tested at their lab and came up with nothing. At this stage we are having a counselling appt this thursday as we are now looking at sperm donor

Like most, some days are better than others - but all the pregnant ladies seem to be out at the moment!! It has been alot of pressure the TTC and having to loose the weight at the same time. Still feeling selfpressure and pressure from others with all the 'when are you having kids' questions.
We had out councelling appt which went really well and have our next specalist appt this week.
How are you gals doing?