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Ruthie
LIF Zygote
Member since 10/12 9 total posts
Name:
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New Member / MFI questions
Hi everyone! I am new here, and was recommended to the group by DitD. Even though I do not live in the area she said that there is a lot of helpful information on this board.
I posted in the intro thread, but just in case: I am 31, DH is 42. We have been TTC for just over a year, but I have been off the pill for about 1.5 years. My integrative physician placed me on Clomid for late ovulation/LPD, and I started seeing a RE about 1 month ago. He was getting ready to start me on a 3rd round of Clomid and was planning to combine it with a trigger shot this time when DH's SA came back with no sperm. We are going to do another SA in about 3 weeks to see if it changes.
Over the weekend I was doing quite a bit of research and found that testosterone replacement therapy can cause a stoppage in sperm production. Has anyone else had experience with this? I am going to call RE today to let him know that DH is doing the testosterone replacement to see what he says. Also, I read that Clomid or HCG shots can start production again, and was contemplating asking RE about that- any suggestions there?
Thanks in advance for all of your help!
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Posted 10/1/12 10:43 AM  |
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DitD
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/12 650 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Member / MFI questions
How long has he been on the Testosterone? You already know I am not much help, since I am dealing MF IF too, and can't figure out what is causing the issue.
Glad you are here though, and I hope your stay is short!!!  
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| Posted 10/1/12 5:11 PM |
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NYCGirl80
I love my kiddies!
Member since 5/11 10413 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Member / MFI questions
I can't comment specifically on testosterone replacement therapy stopping sperm production, but why is he on the therapy? I'd presume he has low T. And low T can definitely cause azoospermia (no sperm). But t replacement is NOT suggested to produce sperm again. Clomid, on the other hand, can help to raise T levels, and if he has no other issues, that may initiate sperm production.
Your husband has to see a urologist who specializes in male infertility b/c there are many other reasons that can cause no sperm - some correctable, some not. You are just on the start of this journey so try to find a good urologist and get educated as best you can.
Good luck!
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| Posted 10/1/12 7:13 PM |
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DitD
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/12 650 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Member / MFI questions
Posted by NYCGirl80
I can't comment specifically on testosterone replacement therapy stopping sperm production, but why is he on the therapy? I'd presume he has low T. And low T can definitely cause azoospermia (no sperm). But t replacement is NOT suggested to produce sperm again. Clomid, on the other hand, can help to raise T levels, and if he has no other issues, that may initiate sperm production.
Your husband has to see a urologist who specializes in male infertility b/c there are many other reasons that can cause no sperm - some correctable, some not. You are just on the start of this journey so try to find a good urologist and get educated as best you can.
Good luck!
This was my thinking. If he has been on testosterone treatment before you started to TTC, "maybe" that is part of the issue, but if it wasn't until recently he started to treatment, then I would think (assuming he is being treated for low Testosterone) that the low T is more the issue.
I hope you get to a urologist soon!
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| Posted 10/1/12 7:19 PM |
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PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!
Member since 5/11 7612 total posts
Name:
Momma <3
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Re: New Member / MFI questions
We are dealing with MFI and currently seeing a urologist and RE. As NYCGirl80 said, he needs to see a urologist who specializes in MFI.
Testesterone replacement, where you use synthetic testesterone, does in fact lower sperm production. In order to increase testesterone, your DH should start a regime to lower his estrogen, such as anastrazole.
He should also have a sonogram to check for varicocele. There is a surgery, which may help to correct it.
We are in the midst of our journey also. After two failed IVF cycles due to poor embryo quality using frozen sperm, I feel your pain.
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| Posted 10/2/12 6:38 AM |
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LIRascal
drama. daily.
Member since 3/11 7287 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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New Member / MFI questions
In addition to what these girls have said, there have been many people who have found success with supplements for DH. These powerful vitamin cocktails help to increase sperm production for some. Do a forum search to see if you can find it on here... I remember seeing it awhile back.
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| Posted 10/2/12 9:29 AM |
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Ruthie
LIF Zygote
Member since 10/12 9 total posts
Name:
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New Member / MFI questions
Thank you all for your responses. DH has been on testosterone replacement for probably 4-5 months. My RE called last night, and I brought up the testosterone replacement therapy, and he said that's probably what is causing the azoospermia, and that was much better than what he was thinking was causing it before. But, he wants him to wait 3 months for another SA, and not see a urologist until after that. I'm thinking of making the appointment with the urologist anyways, because I don't want to wait in case it is something else. Also, even if that's all it is, maybe the urologist can put him on Clomid or HCG injections to speed things up?
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| Posted 10/2/12 9:36 AM |
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Ruthie
LIF Zygote
Member since 10/12 9 total posts
Name:
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New Member / MFI questions
LIRascal- didn't see your post before I responded. Just did a search, and I think I am going to pick up some Fertilaid today to see if that helps. I also have him taking fermented cod liver oil, which I've read in some places can help, and it's good for his health otherwise even if it doesn't do much for his sperm count.
Thank you!
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| Posted 10/2/12 9:54 AM |
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NYCGirl80
I love my kiddies!
Member since 5/11 10413 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Member / MFI questions
Posted by Ruthie
My RE called last night, and I brought up the testosterone replacement therapy, and he said that's probably what is causing the azoospermia, and that was much better than what he was thinking was causing it before. But, he wants him to wait 3 months for another SA, and not see a urologist until after that.
I'm sorry but that's absurd. Your husband should get under the care of a urologist ASAP. It takes 3 months for sperm to generate and mature, but you really have no idea if the t replacement therapy is what's causing the issue.
It could be a blockage, it could be genetic, it could be structural, it could be hormones that need correction through other means (aside from just going off the replacement therapy). Either way, I think your dr sounds naive. Take it from someone who was going through this just over a year ago...find a great male infertility urologist and start there.
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| Posted 10/2/12 12:03 PM |
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Ruthie
LIF Zygote
Member since 10/12 9 total posts
Name:
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New Member / MFI questions
I know...I guess he was just wanting to wait the 3 months to see if the sperm count returned, and then we would know for sure that it was the TRT, but I agree with you. I don't really see a reason to wait, and then if he still has zero sperm wait again. There's enough waiting as it is. I cannot believe they don't ask people whether they are TTC before they place them on TRT.
Anyways, I just called and got an appointment with the urologist. I'm glad I did because the next appointment is October 25th, so we are going to be waiting a while anyways.
Message edited 10/2/2012 12:32:55 PM.
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| Posted 10/2/12 12:32 PM |
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DitD
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/12 650 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Member / MFI questions
Posted by Ruthie
I know...I guess he was just wanting to wait the 3 months to see if the sperm count returned, and then we would know for sure that it was the TRT, but I agree with you. I don't really see a reason to wait, and then if he still has zero sperm wait again. There's enough waiting as it is. I cannot believe they don't ask people whether they are TTC before they place them on TRT.
Anyways, I just called and got an appointment with the urologist. I'm glad I did because the next appointment is October 25th, so we are going to be waiting a while anyways.
So glad you got the appointment. Like I said to you before, I don't see any reason to wait. You have been TTC for a year, even before DH was put on the Testosterone so obviously something is up.
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| Posted 10/2/12 12:57 PM |
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JulieLO
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/11 669 total posts
Name:
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New Member / MFI questions
We had MIF---My hubby was on a vitamin/mineral regimine, took clomid, novadex and HcG to increase his levels...I cant remember it ALL off the top of my head by can certainly find out...
We also did SCSA and found that he had DNA Frag as well...which the vit/min reg totally helped...we had to do IVF/ICSI/PICSI in order to get pregnant ...IVF#1 and IVF#3 were successful :)
GOOD LUCK!!!!!
Good Luck!!!!
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| Posted 10/2/12 1:29 PM |
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Ruthie
LIF Zygote
Member since 10/12 9 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Member / MFI questions
Posted by DitD
Posted by Ruthie
I know...I guess he was just wanting to wait the 3 months to see if the sperm count returned, and then we would know for sure that it was the TRT, but I agree with you. I don't really see a reason to wait, and then if he still has zero sperm wait again. There's enough waiting as it is. I cannot believe they don't ask people whether they are TTC before they place them on TRT.
Anyways, I just called and got an appointment with the urologist. I'm glad I did because the next appointment is October 25th, so we are going to be waiting a while anyways.
So glad you got the appointment. Like I said to you before, I don't see any reason to wait. You have been TTC for a year, even before DH was put on the Testosterone so obviously something is up.
Me too! I just want to get this figured out. I think that a big part of the reason from before he was on the shots was my late ovulation, which I've pretty much cleared up with Clomid. I'm still ovulating late, but having longer luteal phases.
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| Posted 10/2/12 3:07 PM |
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Ruthie
LIF Zygote
Member since 10/12 9 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Member / MFI questions
Posted by JulieLO
We had MIF---My hubby was on a vitamin/mineral regimine, took clomid, novadex and HcG to increase his levels...I cant remember it ALL off the top of my head by can certainly find out...
We also did SCSA and found that he had DNA Frag as well...which the vit/min reg totally helped...we had to do IVF/ICSI/PICSI in order to get pregnant ...IVF#1 and IVF#3 were successful :)
GOOD LUCK!!!!!
Good Luck!!!!
Thank you so much! It's great to hear a success story, too.
Let me know about the vitamins/minerals that worked for you guys. DitD recommended some as well, but I'll take all the info I can get. 
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| Posted 10/2/12 3:20 PM |
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