Low Sperm Count, Cryobanks and New Options

First, the reason we saw the RE is because Jay had an SA done on Wednesday and his counts came back at 200,000 sperm with none of them moving. There could be any number of reasons that the sperm count is that low. Scarring is one of them. That's the one we're terrified of and the one that means that it's over. Low testosterone or abnormal FSH levels, both of these can be corrected by medication. Infection is another reason and corrected by antibiotics. The last, less likely to me, reason is that it's just an off day, week or month for Jay's sperm count and they'll be back soon. HA! I don't buy that for a second. I believe there is something going on and we need to do what we can, when we can to fix it. Hopefully it's one of the ones that can be corrected with medication and not it's not scarring over.

If it scars over, we are done trying naturally. We would have to have a re-do or an extraction, both of which are costly. An extraction means that we'd HAVE to do IVF w/ ICSI which costs $5550-6100 depending on where we do it (HI or AZ) and that does not include the cost of the extraction.

If we go the route of a re-do on the reversal, that will cost us around $9800 (before military discount, still waiting to hear back on that) but we'd get unlimited chances at trying if it is successful. But the cost is higher than IVF, and IVF is already really expensive.

Another option Jay and I have discussed is adoption. This seems more likely for us because I feel as though it's less risky financially. We wouldn't be paying for a roll of the dice, like with IVF.

Of course the RE told us not to worry yet, it is to soon to worry. He had blood drawn to test the testosterone and FSH to see if the are low and we'll go from there. Jay also gave a sample for preservation and if it's any good it'll be frozen but if not, it'll be disposed of. The doctor wants us to try IUI this cycle if the sample is good enough for it.  I go back on Friday for a follow up. The clinic said we'd find out next week if the sample was good and the results of the blood tests. Then we'll know if IUI is happening, if IVF is possible and if the sample was sent to the cryobank.

Right now, I'm still under the impression that the VR is scarring over and that we'll have to choose another route besides natural conception, be it IVF or adoption, or maybe we'll just be done. It's a lot to process and decide. We'll be deciding for a while I believe.