[missmaggimay]

Yesterday we had our follow up urologist appointment. We had a formal SA done back in November with my RE and I found out yesterday at the appointment that they had never faxed it over so now I don't even know what the results were. Then we also found out the he has a low testosterone level. The MD prescribed a medication for him to take but it could take up to 3 months for the testosterone level to change with this medication. We are suppose to go back in 6 weeks to see what is levels are. The second thing we discovered was that he has a varicocele that showed up on the ultrasound which is like a varicose vein. The MD said the only thing that corrects this problem is with an outpatient surgery. We decided not to set up for the surgery yet because the MD isn't even 100% sure that either of these things are causing problems because he doesn't even have the results of the SA yet. So I am going to do some research until my RE office is open to get the SA results and see what information I can find. Does anyone have any information that could help me with these issues?

[adnelg775]

I don't have any personal experience with those issues, but I thought I would at least pop in and say that I hope everything goes well, and that you get a BFP soon!

[*KittyCat*]

i don't have any personal experience of these, but i've come across stuff whilst i've been looking at MFI. I know there is a belief that varicocele can lower counts, because the blood in the varicocele makes the sperm hotter and can damage/kill it. That's why the testes hang outside the body as it's a few degrees cooler.

[Beth777]

DH had bilateral varicoceles repaired on 10/30/09. We have been trying to conceive for over 5yrs. DH started having groin pain this summer and that is how we discovered his varicoceles. They also told us he had 77% DNA fragmentation, which is pretty bad. 30% is considered infertile. We have had multiple chemicals and have done several IUIs and IVFs/ICSIs. We have seen 3 different REs and no one ever recommended a thorough SA showing the DNA fragmentation. The fertility urologist explained that the SAs that DH had for the past 5 yrs was pretty typical of varicoceles. DH DNA fragmentation and morphology were so bad we felt having the repair was of the utmost importance. Everyone just kept telling us that IVF/ICSI could work around DH sperm issues no one ever recommended further testing, etc... I hope they got the DNA fragmentation levels done for your DH. That may help you and your doctors decide on your options. Good Luck to you!

[BeckyM]

I haven't had any experience with this, so no advice to offer. I'm read what KittyCat posted, and also have seen/heard of many success stories after the surgery is done. With your case, I agree with waiting until you get all the information before proceeding with the surgery to make sure that is all that is needed or if there are other problems. I hope you find the results of the S/A or have another one done. Good luck!!!

[missmaggimay]

Beth thanks for the information I will have to check and see if they did the fragmentation because I have never even heard of it. DH and I discussed the sugery and I don't think he is going to go through with it. I am going to make a follow up appointment with my RE to see what our next options are.