[elaine123]

I had my 4th IUI this AM and the doc said the sperm counts did not look very good under the microscope. My DH's last sperm count showed 14 million with 60% motililty in Feb. My doc is recommending my husband have the surgery to fix his varicocele if this cycle does not work.
How long after the surgery can we do the next IUI? What is the recovery like? I can't imagine having to wait months to try again. Thanks!

[Brookelyn510]

Hi Elaine-
I suggest you guys go ahead and have the varicocile surgery. My DH had it in March and we thought there was only one, but it ended up he had 2. You have to wait 3 months for the numbers to improve. My DH was also placed on Clomid to improve his testosterone.
I just got my BFP on Saturday.

Good luck.

[maxie03]

Hi, my husband actually goes in for his surgery tomorrow. We have been told that we could see results from the surgery as soon as 3 months after the surgery or that it could take up to one year to see the full effects. I didn't want to wait for my husband to have the surgery at first, but in the long run if this helps it will be worth it as we want more than one child. Best of luck, it is a hard decision to make for both of you!

[CaribbeanQueen]

Hi Elaine--

My DH had varicocele surgery in 2004 after our first two IVF attempts (we'd used his frozen TESE sperm for those). The urologist and RE told us that we'd still have to go the TESE route for IVF #3 but that the surgery would help improve his count/quality.

I did get pregnant with IVF #3, and I am currently pregnant from IVF #4 as well. I agree with the other ladies--the urologist can examine another SA 3 months after the procedure. My DH also took 3 months of Arimidex (testosterone) and antioxidants.

Best wishes to you...

[CaribbeanQueen]

Oops--forgot to answer your question about the recovery. My DH was home after the procedure, then for 2 more days after that. He was fairly sore, but it wasn't unmanageable. He stayed off of his feet, and I waited on him hand and foot! My DH is my hero in that regard--a varicocele repair and 3 TESEs--he really went the extra mile, and I love him dearly!

[prayingforjustone]

Hi there! I just had the surgery in January 08' and the recovery isn't as bad as your husband will think. It took a week off from work, and just relaxed. About 2 weeks after the surgery, I felt just fine. Also, I had a bilateral (both sides) varicolectomy.

Before the surgery, my counts were prety rough...ranging from 2 mil to 7 mil. Now, after the surgery, my counts are 20 Mil, with improved motility and morphology. Good luck!

[Elisa1978]

My husband had a varicocele in May 2008 - but we didn't see any improvement in his count after the surgery. However, obviously it helps some people so it can't all be for not.

I will say to make sure you ice after the surgery. We were not given those instructions and my husband really paid for it.