Showing posts with label Azoospermia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Azoospermia. Show all posts
Oversea Treatment Leads to Victory of Fight with Azoospermia.
12/31/2020 12:59:00 AM
"I may not have children in my life." He said.
How can it be! After further asking, I found out that my husband had undergone a major operation when he was young, which led to azoospermia. Therefore, the chance of having a child is almost 0%! I gave up on having a child until I realized that the medical treatment in Taiwan can help us. We decided to start this long-term cross-sea treatment to realize our dream to have a child.
Alas! If I didn't encounter the problem myself, I wouldn't know that having a child was so difficult in my life! I knew my husband for 10 years and have been working very hard for our business. Everything was so beautiful.
One day in 2015, I said that I wanted to have a child, so that the family would be more lively. I was talking while dreaming about the life and fun of having a child. Suddenly, my husband woke me up from my fantasy. He said" I may not have children in my life." How can it be! After further asking, I found out that my husband had undergone a major operation when he was young, which led to azoospermia. Therefore, the chance of having a child is almost 0%! I didn't believe or accept this kind of situation. If we can't get pregnant naturally, let's try IVF. I believe current medical treatment should be good enough to let us overcome this situation. So we started the journey of getting children.
However, the treatments didn't go well as we imagine. During 2015 to 2017, we visited hospitals for countless times. And of course spent a lot of money. Doctors told us "Yes, you can try. But we don't know how long you have to try. Maybe 3 to 5 months. Maybe 3 to 5 years." Then we kept changing hospitals to find other doctors. At the end, a doctor in Shenzhen told us " Go to Beijing! Only hospitals Beijing can help you. Don't waste money elsewhere!" Hearing this was undoubtedly another blow, because Beijing's hospitals are not so easy to register, and it might take three to five years!
We were so exhausted after these two years. We not only spent a lot of money , but also energy. Maybe this was a fateful arrangement, although I was unwilling, I could only accept it. When we were ready to accept this fact, my husband's sister came back from Taiwan. We talked about this topic while chatting. She encouraged us not to give up, and said that we should try it again in Taiwan since Taiwan's medical treatment is very good. Therefore, we decided to try it again.
My husband's sister started asking friends in Taiwan to find hospitals. As the saying goes, when God closes a door, he must open another window. Maybe God see our efforts, a good news came from friends in Taiwan. We found a doctor in Stork Fertility Center. Accompanied by my husband's sister, my husband arrived at Stork Fertility Center. The nervousness of my husband was suddenly blown away by seeing the coffee-shop-like environment of Stork. After meeting the doctor, he asked "You still have the opportunity would you like to try again? " At first, my husband just went to see the doctor with curious and doubt. But in the appointment, the doctor's encouragement and successful cases examples gave him confidence and decided to believe the doctor. He started his azoospermia treatment for more than half a year, decided to work hard to win the battle!
After 7 months passed, embryo transfer was arranged in August of 2017. It was tormenting to wait during embryo developing. I was worried about the embryos would stop developing. Fortunately, we got good news after a week. We transferred a healthy embryo and everyone thought it would be successful. Even the doctor encouraged us and said that he will help to have two children. We are full of confidence! However, when all of us thought that there would be the two lines on pregnancy testing kits, it disappointed us again. Because I had immune and Prolactin abnormal problems. We couldn't help feeling frustrated.
The doctor still encouraged us with a smile. Yes! we can't give up halfway through it. Therefore, we did embryo transfer one month later. This time we were not as nervous and expecting as last time. Easy come, easy go! The pregnancy test was 2,000, and we saw two red lines on pregnancy testing kits. I was so happy and couldn't believe it! However, good things always come in twists and turns. When I went to the hospital to check my fetal heart beat, I was told that there was no fetal heart beat! I was so frustrated and thought that maybe I shouldn't even dare to have a fantasy of having a child.
Another six months passed, and I couldn't made up my mind to do another transfer because I was afraid of another failure. Within that six months, the doctor's care and encouragement didn't decrease. In April 2018, I plucked up the courage and came to Stork to do transfer again. I prayed desperately for success. After 15 days, two red lines appeared on pregnancy testing kits. With the experience last time, I couldn't be too happy, being afraid that I would even be more disappointed if there was no heart beat. On the day of checking fetal heart beat, I heard the baby's heartbeat! Only when the doctor said that the baby is healthy, just remember to do following check-ups on time, could I dare to smile with relief. I sincerely thank the people who helped us along the way. Thank for my family for their support. And thank the doctor and the members of Stork for accompany us to the success for getting a child.
One day in 2015, I said that I wanted to have a child, so that the family would be more lively. I was talking while dreaming about the life and fun of having a child. Suddenly, my husband woke me up from my fantasy. He said" I may not have children in my life." How can it be! After further asking, I found out that my husband had undergone a major operation when he was young, which led to azoospermia. Therefore, the chance of having a child is almost 0%! I didn't believe or accept this kind of situation. If we can't get pregnant naturally, let's try IVF. I believe current medical treatment should be good enough to let us overcome this situation. So we started the journey of getting children.
However, the treatments didn't go well as we imagine. During 2015 to 2017, we visited hospitals for countless times. And of course spent a lot of money. Doctors told us "Yes, you can try. But we don't know how long you have to try. Maybe 3 to 5 months. Maybe 3 to 5 years." Then we kept changing hospitals to find other doctors. At the end, a doctor in Shenzhen told us " Go to Beijing! Only hospitals Beijing can help you. Don't waste money elsewhere!" Hearing this was undoubtedly another blow, because Beijing's hospitals are not so easy to register, and it might take three to five years!
We were so exhausted after these two years. We not only spent a lot of money , but also energy. Maybe this was a fateful arrangement, although I was unwilling, I could only accept it. When we were ready to accept this fact, my husband's sister came back from Taiwan. We talked about this topic while chatting. She encouraged us not to give up, and said that we should try it again in Taiwan since Taiwan's medical treatment is very good. Therefore, we decided to try it again.
My husband's sister started asking friends in Taiwan to find hospitals. As the saying goes, when God closes a door, he must open another window. Maybe God see our efforts, a good news came from friends in Taiwan. We found a doctor in Stork Fertility Center. Accompanied by my husband's sister, my husband arrived at Stork Fertility Center. The nervousness of my husband was suddenly blown away by seeing the coffee-shop-like environment of Stork. After meeting the doctor, he asked "You still have the opportunity would you like to try again? " At first, my husband just went to see the doctor with curious and doubt. But in the appointment, the doctor's encouragement and successful cases examples gave him confidence and decided to believe the doctor. He started his azoospermia treatment for more than half a year, decided to work hard to win the battle!
After 7 months passed, embryo transfer was arranged in August of 2017. It was tormenting to wait during embryo developing. I was worried about the embryos would stop developing. Fortunately, we got good news after a week. We transferred a healthy embryo and everyone thought it would be successful. Even the doctor encouraged us and said that he will help to have two children. We are full of confidence! However, when all of us thought that there would be the two lines on pregnancy testing kits, it disappointed us again. Because I had immune and Prolactin abnormal problems. We couldn't help feeling frustrated.
The doctor still encouraged us with a smile. Yes! we can't give up halfway through it. Therefore, we did embryo transfer one month later. This time we were not as nervous and expecting as last time. Easy come, easy go! The pregnancy test was 2,000, and we saw two red lines on pregnancy testing kits. I was so happy and couldn't believe it! However, good things always come in twists and turns. When I went to the hospital to check my fetal heart beat, I was told that there was no fetal heart beat! I was so frustrated and thought that maybe I shouldn't even dare to have a fantasy of having a child.
Another six months passed, and I couldn't made up my mind to do another transfer because I was afraid of another failure. Within that six months, the doctor's care and encouragement didn't decrease. In April 2018, I plucked up the courage and came to Stork to do transfer again. I prayed desperately for success. After 15 days, two red lines appeared on pregnancy testing kits. With the experience last time, I couldn't be too happy, being afraid that I would even be more disappointed if there was no heart beat. On the day of checking fetal heart beat, I heard the baby's heartbeat! Only when the doctor said that the baby is healthy, just remember to do following check-ups on time, could I dare to smile with relief. I sincerely thank the people who helped us along the way. Thank for my family for their support. And thank the doctor and the members of Stork for accompany us to the success for getting a child.
Register：Oversea Form
Facebook：e-Stork FB Page
E-mail：en_service@icryobank.com
WhatsApp：+886-905-737-501
Checkups for Infertility couples
6/30/2020 05:43:00 AM- Female
Hysteroscopy (H-scopy)
Purpose:
H-scopy uses a hysteroscope to examine if the uterus and uterine lining are normal. There is a direct correlation between the condition of the uterus and embryo implantation.
Procedure:
Patient will be asked to lie on her back on the examination table with feet raised and supported by stirrups, similar to a pap smear or vaginal exam. An optical instrument connected to a video unit with a fiber optic light source is inserted to check the conditions of the uterus.
If only a simple examination is required, there is no need for anesthesia. The whole process takes about 3 mins, after which, the patient is asked to rest for another 30 mins. For further examination and operation, anesthesia will be administered and the process will take about 5 mins. Resting period is an additional 1-2 hours.
Patient will be asked to lie on her back on the examination table with feet raised and supported by stirrups, similar to a pap smear or vaginal exam. An optical instrument connected to a video unit with a fiber optic light source is inserted to check the conditions of the uterus.
If only a simple examination is required, there is no need for anesthesia. The whole process takes about 3 mins, after which, the patient is asked to rest for another 30 mins. For further examination and operation, anesthesia will be administered and the process will take about 5 mins. Resting period is an additional 1-2 hours.
When to test:
Best time to test is after the last menstrual cycle and before ovulation takes place for the next cycle. If it is a regular cycle of 28 days, the best time will be in the morning of the 7th to 11th day.
Cervical cultures
Purpose:
Inflammation of female genital tract includes viginitis, cervicitis, salpingitis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Chronic inflammation may cause endometirum polyp(s), tubal adhesion, obstruction and/ or hydrosalpinx, etc. Bacteria, Chlamydia trachomatis and human papillomavirus (HPV) are 3 most common pathogens.
Inflammation of female genital tract includes viginitis, cervicitis, salpingitis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Chronic inflammation may cause endometirum polyp(s), tubal adhesion, obstruction and/ or hydrosalpinx, etc. Bacteria, Chlamydia trachomatis and human papillomavirus (HPV) are 3 most common pathogens.
Auto-immune system
Purpose:
Through blood tests, we can determine whether patients' immune system is normal or not. Some patients' immune system will attack embryo after implantation, which will affect its bedding procedure or even cause miscarriage.
Through blood tests, we can determine whether patients' immune system is normal or not. Some patients' immune system will attack embryo after implantation, which will affect its bedding procedure or even cause miscarriage.
We suggest blood tests if you have any of the following symptoms :
1. infertility with unknown reason, advance age, premature ovarian failure, constitution allergy
2. Recurrent miscarriage or habitual abortion ※Def : ≥ 2 miscarriages within AP20wks
What items are included in the blood test ?
1. Anti-Thyroglobulin antibody (ATA)
2. Anti-Thyroid peroxidase antibody (Anti-TPO)
3. Anti-Extractable nuclear antigen antibody panel (Anti-ENA)
4. Anti-Thyroglobulin antibody (ATA)
5. Anti-Thyroid peroxidase antibody (Anti-TPO)
6. Anti-Extractable nuclear antigen antibody panel (Anti-ENA)
7. Anti-Phospholipid antibody (APS)
-Anti-b2 glycoprotein IgG/IgM (B2GP)
-Anti-cardiolipin IgG/IgM (ACA)
-Lupus anticoagulant
Blood test for
couples’ chromosome
Based on
stats, over 70% of spontaneous abortion are related to abnormality of fetus’
chromosome. It is important to check for couples’ chromosome if you have any of
the following symptoms:
- Infertility with unknown reason, poor sperm quality, azoospermia
- Fail implantation with accumulated 4 GBR or 2 blastocysts with normal
chromosome
- Recurrent miscarriage or habitual abortion
※Def
: ≥ 2 miscarriages within AP20wks
- Male
For patients that cannot find sperm at multiple sperm analyses, doctor collect the first will collect urine sample after ejaculation, to eliminate the possibility of obstructive azoospermia. After that, blood tests are suggested to evaluate patient’s spermatogenesis.
How to read the reports?
Dysfunction of hypothalamus or pituitary gland (lack of hormone to produce sperm)
|
Blood test
results
|
Low in FSH & LH
Low in Testosterone High in PRL |
|
Treatment
|
Treat with injections (retain
hormone supplies)
Treat with medicines Transfer to oncology after Docotr`s evaluation |
Dysfunctional testiculus
|
Blood test
results
|
High in FSH & LH
Testosterone normal or lower than average High in PRL |
|
Treatment
|
Treat with injections + MESA /TESA
IVF with donated sperm Treat with medicines |
Ductus deferens blockage
|
Blood test
results
|
Normal in FSH & LH
Normal in testosterone |
|
Treatment
|
MESA
/TESA
|
Based on
stats, over 70% of spontaneous abortion are related to abnormality of fetus’
chromosome. It is important to check for couples’ chromosome if you have any of
the following symptoms:
- Infertility with unknown reason, poor sperm quality, azoospermia
- Fail implantation with accumulated 4 GBR or 2 blastocysts with normal
chromosome
- Recurrent miscarriage or habitual abortion
※Def
: ≥ 2 miscarriages within AP20wks
Sperm Freezing
5/31/2020 07:44:00 AMWhat is sperm freezing?
Sperm is one of the germ cells of the human body, which can be frozen and stored for years.
What is the purpose of sperm freezing? Mostly for later use for reproductive reasons, such as IVF( In-vitro fertilization) or IUI( intrauterine insemination). As well as sperm donation.
How?
Sperm freezing is a procedure of collecting, analysing, selecting and freezing.
Normally, sperm collection is through masturbation, or for patients with ejaculatory dysfunction, Doctors might perform surgery to collect sperms. For example, MESA( sperm aspiration from the epididymis by means of microsurgery), TESA( sperm extraction from the testicles by means of a biopsy).
Patients can choose to collect a sample in either their home or in our clinic.
As we mentioned before, the stored sperm sample can be used for IVF and IUI later on. But for patients collected sample through MESA/TESA, IVF Is highly recommended. Aimed to increase the successful pregnancy rate with limited sample size.
Before the sperm cryopreservation, there is some preparation to do:
-Blood test for infection screening, eg. HIV, RPR, hepatitis.
-If you have a previous semen analysis report, please provide to us for reference.
Vitrification
-Blood test for infection screening, eg. HIV, RPR, hepatitis.
-If you have a previous semen analysis report, please provide to us for reference.
Vitrification
The technology we are using to freeze the sperm now is the vitrification. Compared to the traditional method, this new technology uses less time to finish the freeze, lowering the harm that can possibly be made during the procedure.
The sperm sample will be analysed and selected immediately. Approximately 1-2 hours after, the sample will be frozen for storage.
For the post thawed survival rate, it’s around 20-50%, depends on the quality of the sperm sample.
Stork Application
You can find all the blood test results ( HIV, RPR, hepatitis) in our self developed app. As well as the semen analysis report. With the list of sperm samples that had been frozen.
Who should consider freezing sperm?
Freezing germ cells allow us to preserve our fertility. Using the frozen cell at a later date, age is no longer an obstacle for conceiving an offspring.
Common reasons to choose to freeze sperm:
Advancing age
Cancer or other medical reasons
Transgender patients
Career and lifestyle choices, such as studying aboard for higher educational activities
Contact us if you would like to know more about sperm freezing or IVF treatment.
Advancing age
Cancer or other medical reasons
Transgender patients
Career and lifestyle choices, such as studying aboard for higher educational activities
Contact us if you would like to know more about sperm freezing or IVF treatment.
WhatsApp：+886-905-737-501Sperm Donation Program
10/31/2019 09:15:00 AM
Sperm Donation Program
Some males might suffer from infertility due to some diseases such as congenital chromosomal abnormalities and endocrine system abnormalities. Or testicular dysfunction, varicocele, sperm transportation dysfunction. etc. Or due to living habits, working environment, physical and mental illnesses and other factors such as drugs, radiation and sexual transmitted diseases, etc.
For these reasons, couples might need to borrow sperm form others to achieve their dream of having a complete family.
Stork Fertility Centre has our own Sperm Bank, donors went through strict examinations and health assessments. As we have our bank, the waiting time for a suitable donor will be reduced to around 1 month after handing in all the required paper works.
FQA
· What health assessment did the donor have?
the donor will go through assessment including infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, gonorrhea and AIDS; Tests for genetic diseases such as thalassemia (complete blood count, CBC) and spinal muscular atrophy (genetic testing), karyotype testing, and Fragile X gene screening, etc.
· Is it good to use thawed sperm?
The donor's sperm preserve by the slow freezing method mixed with the cryoprotectant and gradually cooled down to -196 C. The survival rate after thawing is about 30-50%.
Preservation of sperm in extremely low-temperature liquid nitrogen equals freezing time, and storage for more than ten years is not a problem.
· How many times can we use the sperm?
It depends on what treatments you are undergoing.
In Vitro Fertilization: approximately 3-4 times using Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, ICSI
Intrauterine insemination: approximately 1-2 times
· Can we see donor's photos?
No. Medical care institutions shall provide information concerning the donor's ethnicity, skin color, and blood type for the reference of the recipient couple only. We can not revive personal information about the donor due to the law restriction.
· Can I choose a specific donor?
According to Taiwan's Assisted Reproduction Act, "A medical care institution performing assisted reproduction shall not use a specific donor’s reproductive cells as requested by the recipient couple; a medical care institution shall not use donated reproductive cells for a specific recipient couple as requested by the donor.
· Do you have caucasian donors?
Azoospermia is not a big deal.
5/01/2018 12:00:00 AM
Azoospermia is a severe male factor in the infertility, and the occurrence is around 15% in the infertile men. There are two types of azoospermia,—obstructive and non-obstructive.
Meanwhile, we can classify Azoospermia
more detail into three major types as listed.
1. Non-obstructive
2. Hormone deficiency
3. Testicular failure
Literally, non-obstructive azoospermia refers to no sperm in
the semen because of abnormal sperm production.
The fertility specialist generally recommended these patients
to take microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) or testicular sperm
extraction (TESE) combing with intracellular single
sperm injection (ICSI) in the
IVF program.
How to do the MESA/TESE?
Under regional anesthesia, we would cut apart the scrotum and use a surgical microscope to open the small tubes within the epididymis to look for mature sperm or immature sperm cells. The sperm harvested can be used immediately or frozen for use at a later time. If no sperm are found in epididymis, it is necessary to look inside the testicle for viable sperm.
Usually, the number of sperm retrieved is small and poor activity. Therefore, it
is very precious. It is best to use intracellular single
sperm injection (ICSI) to increase the fertilization rate. The remaining sperm can be frozen
for future use.
This is the most effective
solution to solve azoospermia retrieving sperm.
Also, with the Vitrification, it can be used several times at a time to
achieve maximum benefit.
Through MESA/TESE and
ICSI, it helps to increase the fertilization rate by approximately 70%. About
the pregnancy rate, it’s the same as normal in vitro fertilization which is
50%-60%.
Register：Oversea Form
Facebook：e-Stork FB Page
E-mail：en_service@icryobank.com WhatsApp：+886-905-737-501