New to this section, with a question

Jen84 · #1 January 18th, 2009, 08:47 PM

Hopefully it is alright if I post in this section. I figured this would be the best way to address this. (Other than an SA, of course)

When my husband was born, they saw that he had only one testicle. They waited it out for about six months and then decided to do surgery to bring the second one down. When they did the surgery, they saw that the second one was completely gone, and don't know whether it was ever there and just absorbed, or if it was just never there.

He had an implant put in when he was about 3 years old, so that when he went through school, he wouldn't feel unbalanced. Of course the implant is too small now, but since he is married, the implant isn't a big issue.

My main question is, we are just starting our 21st cycle TTC. I have been charting for about 5 months, and seem to be ovulating reguarly and have regular periods. Is there anyway that him having only one testicle could be affecting our TTC?? Everything I have read online says that he should have the same chance at fertility as a man with both testicles, as they still produce millions of sperm.

I know the only way to know for sure is to get an SA, which will be our next choice, I just didn't know if any of you have had experience with this, or know whether it would affect our chances to this magnitude.

Thank you for your opinion!

Brandiwine77 · #2 January 19th, 2009, 06:20 AM

Hi Jen and welcome!! Of course it is more than ok that you are joining us! I'm Brandi, one of the hosts. I hope you stick around with us so we can get to know you!

To answer your question, I know there is a lot of information on the internet about male infertility, including the presence of only 1 testicle. If your DH is producing a fair amount of swimmers in his semen, then of course you would still have a pretty good chance

Of course, you need to make sure that he is producing a normal amount of swimmers, along with their quality and morphology. Only then can you know for sure if his issue has caused you guys to have to try for 21 months. I would definitely make DH an appointment with a urologist. The urologist can check for any other abnormalities, such as a varicocele which is very common (my DH had one fixed in June) and he can run a SA to see where you guys stand, and you can then decide if you need to take any other steps to get you your BFP!

I wish you and your DH the best of luck, and hope you either get pg soon or get some answers! KUP!

Jen84 · #3 January 19th, 2009, 07:25 AM

Thank you. So how would we go about getting an SA? Would he see our GP and ask for one, or would he get referred to a fertility doctor or urologist?

I want to get one but I am not sure if he is up for it right at the moment, which is why I was lurking around here to see if anyone had any info.

Thanks for the advice Brandi, and I will let you know how everything went if/when the SA results are back!

tasjaanalee · #4 January 19th, 2009, 07:34 AM

Hi Jen, and welcome!

Brandi pretty much covered the basics for you... but as for the SA your GP might be able to send you to a lab for one (it isn't done in office most places anyway, so whoever orders the tests isn't tooooo important). If your GP can't do it, your DH would be referred to a urologist, which is probably best in the long run, as they can rule out physical issues in additional to ordering the SA and any other tests (if necessary... which hopefully it isn't haha)...

richmond_girl · #5 January 19th, 2009, 08:48 AM

I think it's possible your DH has normal fertility but not guaranteed. Keep in mind your DH could still have an MFI issue that is completely unrelated to his one testicle - a chemical / hormonal imbalance, varicole, tubal blockage, etc. These things could be related to the fact that he only has one testicle or completely separate from it. So I would do an SA just to be safe. Especially since you've been TTC for this long and 95% of couples are pregnant within 18 months. An SA is not nearly as invasive (or painful -hehe) as the tests women have to endure, so it shouldn't be a big deal.

Good luck and keep us posted!

.H.e.a.t.h.e.r. · #6 January 19th, 2009, 09:57 AM

I dont really know much at all about that sorry. I know my dad had a bad accident and had to have one testicle removed in 1986...they tried for many years after that to have a second child and it never happened. My parents never decided to have any testing done though they just accepted I would be an only child.

Anyway welcome.

Jesse's_girl · #7 January 20th, 2009, 01:27 PM

My DH has this same thing he was born with only one testicle they went in when he was 8 to see if they could find the other one and it was no where to be found. He never had an implant or anything. I was just about to post on here since we are to schedule a SA here shortly (I hope no one minds if I join). My OB/GYN actually gave me the referral. We haven't been trying as long as you but she said this is our first step since she is pretty sure I ovulate regularly.

But to answer your question she first told us that he should have enough sperm in his one testicle and not to worry. That was in August when I went in for my yearly last week and I wasn't preggo she said she would have that checked first.

I would call your gyno and ask for a referral for a SA I am sure they would be happy to help. I hope you get the answers you need soon and can get that BFP. Good Luck

A180 · #8 January 21st, 2009, 05:59 PM

my fiance also has this problem. he was born with a hernia and had to have one testicle removed at 5 years old..i was wondering if someone could tell me more about my ob doing a SA. he has no dr and no ins..?

Brandiwine77 · #9 January 21st, 2009, 06:32 PM

Hey Angie, I'm Brandi, co-host & me and DH have been TTC for over 2 years.

Angie, to answer your question about a SA, you can have your OB/GYN make the order. For DH's first one, my dr. ordered it. Since you don't have insurance, you might want to check on some prices. For some people there is a huge price difference depending on where you get them done. I've seen price ranges from around $75-$120. It really just depends. Good luck with that!!

BTW, welcome to the board, and I hope you stick around!!!

A180 · #10 January 21st, 2009, 08:26 PM

thanks for the info. theres always that question in my mind like..what if its him?? seeing as he does have that problem , yet theres the question if he has a daughter from a previous relationship. i also have pcos which makes me think its be but i have a clinical dx which means they dx'ed me from symptoms.. all my tests and levels are normal. so its kind of up in the air like most of us ttc!

thanks so much for the help!