Infertility & Diabetes: Can You Have More Children?

Question
i have 2 children with my husband. he was later diagonised with diabetis. my husband is no more producing sperm, can we still have another child because of this condition.

Answer
Hello Debbie,

If the diabetes has affected his testicles and therefore there is no longer sperm production, it is probably from shrinkage of the blood vessels to the testicles, leading to inadequate hormone stimulation for sperm production to take place.  What he will have to do is see a Urologist that specifically specializes in male infertility.  They will need to do a testicular biopsy to see if there is any normal tissue present.  If not, it cannot be resurrected.  If there is, then he can take hormones to try to induce sperm production.  That will take a minimum of three months to see if it works.  

The bottom line is if the testicles have atrophied completely, it will not be possible for you to have another child without using donor sperm.

Good Luck,

Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com

Monterey, California, U.S.A.

for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf