u/Less-Jellyfish2238

Really a bit lost…

Long story cut short:

Back story - mid 30’s healthy, no smoking, drugs or alcohol. No excess fat, physically fit, good diet.

Had testicular torsion as a child and both were stitched in place with no complications. Smaller than avg at 10ml. Ultrasound done, all looking good no blockages could be seen or felt. Try best to reduced heat there, loose clothes etc….

Hormones: low test 7.2, FSH 21, CRP 16.3

Sexual function fine.

Done multiple at home tests where often it’s completely 0 sperm, other times there has been 1 or 2 living sperms. In Dr sperm test results 1 test showed 1 living sperm and latest test showed 0.

Had NHS IVF specialist meeting which was just pretty horrific.

Within minutes of being there Dr said they needed to examine me (no pre mention of this so was a bit taken back) exam done informed me “yeah you’ve got small balls around half what they should be”

Back into room and he says “well you’ve got less than a 10% chance of IVF working if you do MTSE and without it 0% chance of naturally” “so I’d suggest doner sperm” this is something as a couple we’d previously spoken about and don’t want to do which I advised and he said “well youre not funny looking so you(now looking at my partner) can pick someone who pretty much looks like him”

At this stage within 10 minutes I’ve been told im infertile, effectively never going to have biological kids, got small balls but hey at least I’m not funny looking.

Trying to turn this into some sort of positive I asked about if there were any trials happening that I might be eligible for to which I was actually laughed at. Told there is one happening soon but I wouldn’t be eligible in my situation.

I advised I’d spoke to private places who said they would try ivf with one or two living sperm, but ofc I would need to make multiple donations. I asked is this something the NHS would do which again I was laughed at and told “no, those clinics are trying to scam you. We would only proceed with one sperm if it was the only one found during MTSE”

Advised us to consider doner sperm and said they would give us some leaflets on the way out and will see us in a few months for us to tell them what we have decided to do i.e doner sperm, MTSE or not try….

If I’m honest I was pretty shocked by his lack of compassion. I had already mentally prepared myself for a long time to hear the information but it was still hard hitting.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What did you do?

Long story cut short:

Back story - mid 30’s healthy, no smoking, drugs or alcohol. No excess fat, physically fit, good diet.

Had testicular torsion as a child and both were stitched in place with no complications. Smaller than avg at 10ml. Ultrasound done, all looking good no blockages could be seen or felt. Try best to reduced heat there, loose clothes etc….

Hormones: low test 7.2, FSH 21, CRP 16.3

Sexual function fine.

Done multiple at home tests where often it’s completely 0 sperm, other times there has been 1 or 2 living sperms. In Dr sperm test results 1 test showed 1 living sperm and latest test showed 0.

Had NHS IVF specialist meeting which was just pretty horrific.

Within minutes of being there Dr said they needed to examine me (no pre mention of this so was a bit taken back) exam done informed me “yeah you’ve got small balls around half what they should be”

Back into room and he says “well you’ve got less than a 10% chance of IVF working if you do MTSE and without it 0% chance of naturally” “so I’d suggest doner sperm” this is something as a couple we’d previously spoken about and don’t want to do which I advised and he said “well youre not funny looking so you(now looking at my partner) can pick someone who pretty much looks like him”

At this stage within 10 minutes I’ve been told im infertile, effectively never going to have biological kids, got small balls but hey at least I’m not funny looking.

Trying to turn this into some sort of positive I asked about if there were any trials happening that I might be eligible for to which I was actually laughed at. Told there is one happening soon but I wouldn’t be eligible in my situation.

I advised I’d spoke to private places who said they would try ivf with one or two living sperm, but ofc I would need to make multiple donations. I asked is this something the NHS would do which again I was laughed at and told “no, those clinics are trying to scam you. We would only proceed with one sperm if it was the only one found during MTSE”

Advised us to consider doner sperm and said they would give us some leaflets on the way out and will see us in a few months for us to tell them what we have decided to do i.e doner sperm, MTSE or not try….

If I’m honest I was pretty shocked by his lack of compassion. I had already mentally prepared myself for a long time to hear the information but it was still hard hitting.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What did you do?