QuestionMy husband did a spermogram and the result come with very low motility < 5% the quantity of sperm are 42 million and morphology 60% normales. So he did echographie doppler and it appears that he has a varicolcele grade 3.The hormon blood test is normal. The gynecolog didn't advice him to do the operation because for him the operation will not increase the motility to a factor that help us to get pregnant normally. and for him the varicocele is not the only reason for low motility as the number of sperm and morphology are in normal. Plus the operation is not easy and the complication is big it can destroy his testicul and to know the result it will takes time maybe a year. So best way is to do XC.
we consult an urologyst for him the diagnostic was different for him he has to do the operation and it can help him to increase his status and it will increase the chance to get pregnant
normally.
So for now we don't know what to do and if the operation is the good solution or no.
AnswerHello Information from Lebanon,
A urologist, or any doctor for that matter, will always advise something that they can do, especially if it is the only option that they can provide. In my experience, almost 100% of males with sperm problems are found to have varicoceles, but 100% of general urologists will advise to have the varicocele removed (clipped). A varicocele is a testicular varicose vein. In general, and in most cases, this surgery has not been found to be very helpful if the sperm parameters are severe, as in your husband's case. The operation is NOT risky, at lease not in the U.S., and is done as an outpatient surgery or office based surgery. It will not destroy the testicle. However, I doubt that it will help the motility rate either. But if you want to try "naturally" to get pregnant, then it might be worthwhile to have the surgery and see if it helps. If it doesn't you will have to move to the second option anyway.
When the motility is low, that is basically saying that 95% of the sperm is dead. A non-motile sperm is a dead sperm. Motility needs to be at least 60%. In this case, insemination is not an option. The only realistic option when the majority of the sperm are dead sperm, is a procedure called ICSI (IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection). This technique allows us to use only a few sperm to inject directly into the available eggs. In order to have the eggs, you will have to undergo In Vitro Fertilization. This is the treatment of choice for your husband's sperm problem.
Sincerely,
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 facebook and twitter with me at @montereybayiv
