Vericocele ???

Anyone DH have the surgery?? Did it improve Sperm quality?? THe urologist just sort of said we could have it done or we could just keep trying or get it done in hopes of improvement in case we have to move to IVF with ICSI?? He is borderline for his SA, She wasn't like "HE has to have the surgery"" but ?I also don't want my RE to say we have to move to IVF and then have to do the surgery!! Any Advice or imformation would be appreciated!!!

Re: Vericocele ???

MY DH has it. We decided not to do the surgery. It does not guarantee an improvement and if you are doing IVF with ICSI it makes no difference. They ony need a few good sperm to do ICSI. So we chose not to go that route.

Re: Vericocele ???

Re: Vericocele ???

DH has a varicocele. I think the surgery is still very controversial. From what I have read and heard, most of the UR who specialize in infertility give it around a 90% success rate as far as repair and 60% for improvement in SA after the surgery. I believe results won't be seen until 3-6 months after the surgery. DH is going to get it done mainly to improve his SA but also because it does bother him at times. If you're going to do IVF/ICSI it really doesn't matter however since our only problem is Male Factor we want him to do the surgery to see if we have a good chance of natural BFP in the future. One of my co-workers DH had it done last month and she said he was in pain however, they haven't tested his spermies yet since it's too soon. His UR told him they may see results as soon as 2 months. I think every dr. is different and his his/her own opinion regarding the surgery. My concept is it can't hurt and any chance is better than nothing. I think it's also imperative to make sure that if your DH does decide to get the surgery done he that it is done by a UR with alot of experience....preferably one in MF issues. Good Luck!

Edited to add: If your DH is only borderline with his SA maybe a few vitamins will help him. My DH's SA was real bad with count and morphology although motility was good....which I attribute to all the Red Bull he drinks. I heard caffeine is good for motility.

Message edited 11/17/2006 11:02:39 AM.

Re: Vericocele ???

My SIL's DH has this problem. They opted against the surgery for the same reasons as stated here, with IVF/ICSI the surgery is not necessary.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet was that sometimes when the surgery is done, scar tissue can build up and create the same situation. That is why the surgery doesn't guarantee a higher count.
Good luck with your decision.

Re: Vericocele ???

Thank YOu everyone!!I was sort of thinking the same things but wanted everyone opinion and to see different experiences!!

ThanksAlot!

Re: Vericocele ???

Ok this is going to sound dumb but I am not 100% sure that is the name of what my DH had. I do know it was a blockage as he puts it "in his pipes". He had the surgery in June and his doctor said to give it 6-9 months. We only started trying again in August since he needed time to heal. So, I guess this is really month #4.

And Yes, it 100% improved the "amount" that came out....it is like a river compared to a trickle (sorry I know, TMI) but very true.