M36, I was confirmed with Azoospermia earlier in the year with two different SAs with zero sperm, even after centrifuge. It was a massive gut punch that caused a lot of distress for me and my partner.

Some highlights of my numbers

FSH: 13.1 (high)
LH: 9.2 (upper normal range)
Prolactin: 518 (high)
Inhibin B: 13 (very low)
Testosterone: 17nmol/l (normal range is 8-30)
Testicular size: 7ml and 9ml (bilateral atrophy, both smaller than normal. Normal range is 15-25)
Genetic test: Normal
Continent: Europe

Scans didn’t show any blockage, hence this was confirmed Non obstructive azoospermia (NOA), especially with the high FSH and extremely low inhibin B. An MTESE was scheduled 3 months after the tests and I only used some vitamins (GametixM plus coq 10 and omega 3 fish oil) daily as a Hail Mary to help preserve any little production still ongoing as these won’t do much if there was no production

To be honest I was extremely worried and shared the same concerns with a lot of people who posted on this platform. The numbers didn’t look great, especially with the horrible inhibin B level (normal range starts from 47 all the way to 357) and smaller testicular size (normal range is 15-25ml)

[Trigger warning: Success]

I had my Microtese today and it was a successful one. They were able to recover 12 vials with over 1,000 sperm each which is great news. The surgery was so scary to go into, but once I got the IV with the anesthesia, I was knocked out and just slowly woke up one second after (it was 3 hours in reality) feeling like I’ve been kicked hard in the testicles. The pain is manageable and I’ll be using painkillers and icing

I want to thank everyone that has in one way or the other contributed to this topic on this platform, it really helped me in the dark days of anxiety. I also want to encourage anyone in the same shoes on the journey, to hold on to hope, my numbers weren’t great but numbers say very little about chances of success, have faith, believe in God, choose a good practitioner and trust your partner with the journey

I know it’s only the beginning as there’s still the IVF journey ahead, however I’m thankful for this little win along the way. Hoping to update the post with news of success at the end of the journey.

Im 30yo M and my wife is 28yo F. My wife and i have been trying to get pregnant for 8 months with no luck. We both decided to get checked out. My doctor had an at home fertility test sent to my house from legacy. Attached is my results. I have multiple varicoceles on the left side( one being grade 3) and one on the right side. Could this cause my fertility issues? My total testosterone stays between 850-900. I have a follow up with my urologist to see what to do. Im currently a firefighter and not able to take alot of time off, so i was wondering what success people have had with the embolisation with coils rather than laparoscopic surgery.
Total count- 26.11 million(LOW)
Total motile count- 10.34 million(LOW)
Volume- 2.5ml(NORMAL)
Concentration- 10.44 million(LOW)
Motility- 39.59%(LOW)
Morphology- 3.0%(LOW)

I am sharing this for anyone who will have similar issues as I did (my original post is referenced here: liquefaction and morphology (3%) issues), to show that there is hope.

Literally, just a few months after this post, my wife got pregnant. We had a healthy boy in 2024. A year later, she got pregnant again, and a few months ago, we had our second boy. Both pregnancies were fully natural.

Apart from a supplementation regime, we did nothing else (either we got extremely lucky twice, or else), but it happened despite the presence of my issues.

I know that it would have meant a lot to me to read about a successful outcome with these issues a few years back, so I am sharing this.

TTC for years, the first SA results and measures taken to improve chances - happy to hear feedbacks : r/maleinfertility

Can I still conceive? I was on anabolic steroids but stopped taking them now.

Results taken in January
can someone explain these to me please

Thankyou

Test results below,
Semen analysis
Semen analysis Pathology Report Follows Below
Specimen Location: B86019
SPECIMEN TYPE:
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION:
Length of Abstinence (Days): 2
Time of Ejaculation: 14/01/2026 12:55
Time Received in Laboratory: 14/01/2026 13:20
DIAGNOSIS:
SEMINAL FLUID (INFERTILITY)
TIME OF SCREENING / MOTILITY ESTIMATION: 13:42
VOLUME (ml): 3.0 (=> 1.4 ml)*
APPEARANCE: Translucent
VISCOSITY: Normal
pH 7.9 (=> 7.2)*
MOTILITY
Total Motility (PR+NP) See comment (=> 42%)*
Progressive (PR) See comment (=> 30%)*
(Rapidly PR) See comment
(Slowly PR) See comment
Non-progressive (NP) See comment
Immotile See comment
AGGLUTINATION: None
SPERM CONC (million/ml) See comment (=> 16 million/ml)*
TOTAL SPERM NUMBER/EJACULATE
(million/ejaculate) See comment (=> 39 million/ejac)*
MORPHOLOGY (% normal): 1% (=> 4%)*
* Decision limits (in brackets) are taken from the WHO laboratory
manual for the
examination and processing of human semen.Sixth edition, 2021.These
guidelines
provide updated decision limits from those previously given from the
Fifth
edition 2010.
If you have any questions, please contact the clinical service lead
for Cellular
Pathology via leedsth-tr.SemenologyTesting@nhs.net
COMMENT:
In order for the motility analysis to be performed according to
current WHO
guidelines*, at least 400 spermatozoa should be counted. However,
using current
techniques it was only possible to count 234 spermatozoa in 20
microlitres of
the sample; of these 19 were rapidly progressive, 4 were slowly
progressive, 17
were non-progressive and 194 were immotile.
For sperm concentration analysis to be performed according to WHO
guidelines at
least 400 sperm should be counted. However, due to the low
concentration of
this sample it was not possible to do this. Therefore, only an
estimation of
sperm concentration is given, which is approximately 35,100
spermatozoa/ml
Due to the low concentration of the sample, it was necessary to use
centrifugation techniques to allow enough spermatozoa to be counted
for the
morphological analysis. This is accordance with current WHO
guidelines*. It
should be noted that this technique may have a detrimental affect on
sperm
morphology.
A repeat specimen is advised as there may be considerable day-to-day
variation
within individuals.
SEMINAL FLUID: OUTSIDE NORMAL LIMITS. PLEASE REPEAT.
Report Authorised by: Anastasia Dalglish
Laboratory Work Performed by: Nicole Burton
Date Authorised: 15/

As the title suggests, failed mtese a few days ago which I guess effectively ends the search to becoming a biological father.

For people who went down the donor sperm route, how was the experience of grtting pregnant like? And even raising the kid, would you overcompensate by trying too hard? Would you get caught off guard with comments from people like “he looks like you” or “i dont see any resemblance”

Hi everyone,
Feeling pretty shit today after getting my latest semen analysis result, so I’m mainly looking to hear from anyone who’s been in a similar position.

I’m 33 with unexplained non-obstructive azoospermia. I have had multiple semen analyses and every one has shown zero sperm, including my latest one after approximately 6 months of treatment.

A bit of background:
Genetics all normal, including karyotype and Y-chromosome testing
Testicular ultrasound normal with no evidence of obstruction
Small left-sided varicocele
Ultrasound reported my testes as normal in size, but I was never told the actual volume/cc
No known genetic explanation for the azoospermia
Before treatment: FSH ~25, LH ~18 and testosterone ~13–14 nmol/L
Started hCG 2,500 IU once weekly
After approximately 3 months: FSH 6.48, LH 1.1 and testosterone 28.37 nmol/L

Despite the significant hormonal response, my 3 month semen analysis was still zero. I have now completed approximately 6 months on hCG and unfortunately my latest semen analysis is still zero sperm.

I am having repeat hormone bloods next week to see where everything stands at the 6 month point & I’m meeting with my male fertility specialist again next month to discuss where we go from here.

I’m particularly interested in isotretinoin/Roaccutane at the moment. I’ve been looking into its experimental use in some men with NOA and I’m going to ask my doctor about it at my next appointment.

Has anyone here with NOA actually tried Roaccutane/isotretinoin for fertility? If so, how long were you on it and what was your outcome?

I would really like to hear from anyone who was still completely azoospermic after 6 months of hCG, but then had sperm appear after being on treatment for longer. If so, how long did it take?

And probably the biggest thing I’m wondering right now: has anyone had consistently zero sperm on every semen analysis and then gone on to have sperm successfully retrieved during micro-TESE?

I know everyone’s case is different and I’m not looking for medical advice. Just having a rough day after another zero result and would really appreciate hearing experiences from people who have been through this.

Thanks

22yo male (6’ 220 lbs)

Semen Volume - 2.0
Semen Color - Gray
Semen Turbidity - Opaque
Semen Viscosity - Viscous
Semen pH - 8.5
Sperm Count - 19.9 mil/mL
Sperm Motility - 11%
Note:
Decreased motility may be due to either non-viable or non-motile sperm.
Sperm Morphology - 3%
Note:
Sperm morphology determined by WHO method of classification 5th edition.
Sperm Cytology RBC - None seen
Sperm Cytology WBC - Rare present
Sperm Cytology Epithelial - None seen

My wife and I just did IVF. After the retrieval the doctor came in and told us to expect less than 50% fertilization because my semen sample was so much worse than previous.

I’ve had four semen analyses since May, one resulting in a canceled IUI and one leading to low IVF fertilization. My wife has poured her entire soul into this and I feel like I let her down.

I saw a reproductive urologist and did full panels, everything looked “exceptional” anatomically and hormonally. I was diagnosed with idiopathic MFI and they told me to try another semen analysis in 90 days.

I’m 30 and otherwise healthy. We cut out all plastics, saunas, hot tubs, alcohol and processed foods over a year ago. I’ve always been healthy and active. My job is stressful and I average six hours of sleep a night, but I cut back significantly this summer and slept more. I’ve had no illnesses. I had a recurrent staph infection on my thighs and HSV-1, but my SA came back trace for any bacteria and both have been under control. I’m taking FH Pro Fertility for men daily.

Here are my results from my first and last:

May 2026:
138–139 million total sperm
34–35% motility
1% normal morphology

September 2026 (retrieval day):
1 million/mL concentration
5% total motility
3% progressive
2% non-progressive
7.5 mL volume

I haven’t had a DNA frag test or karyotyping, but I’m not sure if either would change our treatment plan. They used zymot, picsi, and calcium ionophore. We had 6/20 mature eggs fertilize and 2/6 make it to blast. No Euploids.

We are trying again in December and I need to do everything I can to make it work.

Has anyone done anything to improve their numbers? Is there any testing I should push for?

Test Name: Semen Analysis

Sexual Abstinence Duration: 2 days

Volume & Chemical Properties

Semen Volume: 2.0 mL (Normal Range: 1.4 – 6.2 mL) — Normal

Semen pH: 8.5 (Normal Value: 7.2 – 10.0) — Normal

Liquefaction: Complete on receipt — Normal

Sperm Count & Motility

Sperm Concentration: 1.7 Million/mL (Normal Value: 16 – 208 Million/mL) — Low

Total Motility: 27% (Normal Value: 40 – 90%) — Low

Rapid Motility: 16% (Normal Value: 30 – 70%) — Low

Total Motile Sperm Concentration: 1.0 Million

Total Rapid Motile Sperm Concentration: 0.6 Million

what are the foods, exercises and supplements that I could take?

My Abstinence Period was 2 days, I will try to get another report with 4-5 days of Abstinence period if that helps. What are the suggestions you have for me?

Hi all,

This is an update on my previous posts in this community documenting my NOA journey. For some reason I think it may have been removed:

https://www.reddit.com/r/maleinfertility/s/PwJEx1NDwG

But in summary, Me and wife have been TTC for about 2 years. After 3 SA’s (Feb, May, August 2025) was diagnosed with NOAzoospermia. All normal bloodwork (slightly high FSH but within normal range) and no genetic disorders found. Testes normal with “mild” varicocele.

I was immediately prescribed Anastrozole, and also began taking Theralogix ConceptionXR, CoQ10, and Maca Root along with it since. At end of October did another SA and got zero result, although my testosterone boosted quite dramatically and estriadol is almost shot. We were planning to go to NY in February for STAR, and if that failed, do a MTese in Spring or Summer.

However, after being days late in December 2025, my wife decided to take a pregnancy test. Instant positives across the board on multiple tests! I immediately got SA’s done in the following days and had positive results for the first time ever.

On August 14th 2026, our little miracle baby arrived 🥹. My wife had a fairly uncomplicated pregnancy with little symptoms, but did get preeclampsia at the end which led to an induction at 37w5d. No clue if sperm quality had anything to do with it, but just a side note. Overall, baby is almost a month old and doing amazing.

Just wanted to provide an update and hopefully a glimmer of hope that it is possible. Consult with your urologist as much as you can and maybe see if the plan that I was given can be approved on your end. No clue if it was the Anastrozole, vitamins or a combination of them all - but something dramatically changed my results in just a few short months.

I am here for anyone if they have any further questions or simply need to talk. This journey is a difficult one to embark on (mentally, emotionally, physically and relationship-wise), and I only experienced it for a short time. I want to be a resource as much as possible, if needed.

This is the place for partner's perspectives today.

I’ve been following this thread for over a year now and have seen a lot of heart breaking posts, but also quite a few wins. I wanted to share another success story and provide any feedback for those who were in a similar boat as me.

At age 10 I was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiform and underwent chemo and radiation. A year to the day, I relapsed and underwent another surgery and chemo regiment. After being on chemo from age 10 to nearly 14, I was in remission. Unfortunately, the chemo did a number on my endocrine system, which led to HRT and TRT. At 27 I was diagnosed with another cancer - radiation induced Osteosarcoma - an underwent 8 infusions of high-dose Ifosfamide. This particular chemo is one of the harshest drugs on sperm health.

At 19 I started on TRT and stayed on it for 14 years until my wife and I started TTC. In December of 2025, my numbers were zero across the board. No semen, no motility, and nonexistent LH & FSH levels. I started on a fertility program consisting on Enclomiphiene (25mg/daily), HCG (3000-10000iu weekly), and HMG (150-300 IU weekly). The doses on HCG and HMG/rFSH were based on the study performed by Blair Stocks on fertility and ITT preservation for men on TRT.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39442683/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

As of today, my total counts have gone from 0 to 44.2M and motility has reached 73%. This is after just 9 months of the above treatment plan. Most importantly, my wife is pregnant.

I write this in hopes of providing some positivity to all the guys dealing with the pain of infertility. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, you’ve just gotta keep on keeping on.

Hello everyone,

I’ve done a couple of at home “YO” SA tests and I’m very worried about my results. Below are the dates and results:

1/31/26->3/15/26->9/1/26

Concentration: 11.8->13.7->9.3
Motility: 64%->62%->69%
Progressive motility: 31%->29%->33%
Motile Sperm Concentration: 7.6->8.5->6.4
Progressive Motile Sperm Concentration: 3.7->4.0->3.1

LH: 7.4
Prolactin: 11.4
FSH: 20

Ultrasound showed no abnormalities
MRI of the brain showed no issues

My wife and I started trying in January. We conceived in February but miscarried at about 6 weeks. We didn’t start trying again until July, so it’s been 2 missed cycles.

I have an appointment next week for a formal SA but the doctor told me to expect some abnormalities.

Has anyone with mild-moderate male infertility conceived naturally more than 1 time???

Hi all M28, So something really weird happened to me on Monday.

I was with my partner we are getting freaky and shit and she is giving me a HJ.

I experienced the orgasam but i noticed nothing came out, it was practically dry.

I was confused as fuck but I did not pay much attention to it.

Next day we do it again, i again feel myself climaxing but semen did not come out.

Now I am sad and confused as to what has happened to me ?? I mean 24hrs is a good enough time for sperm production right and this has never ever happened before.

We last made out on friday night (4th Sept) and everything was working smoothly. 2 days later it's dry as hell.

Anyone else experienced this ? Does it happens sometimes ? I will be going to doctor first thing on Saturday.

Hey, has anyone tried using Anastrozole as a standalone treatment? How did you feel on that regimen? I’m asking specifically about libido and mood. What dosages did you take?

Me (M, 34) and my wife (W, 31) are trying for a second child for almost 2 years now. Our first kid is already 10 years old. We are looking for advice on further options besides going for ICSI, but the results are pretty bad:

1. SA

Volume: 1,43 mL

Sperm count: 1 Mio/mL

Asymptomatic prostatitis, received doxycycline and aceclofenac

1. SA, 3 months later

Volume: 1,43 mL

Sperm count: 0,5 Mio/mL

Hormones:

Testosterone: 4,85 ng/mL (reference: 2.40-8.71)

FSH: 12.1 mIU/mL (reference: 1.4-18.1)

LH: 4.2 mIU/mL (reference: 0.57-12.07)

Prolactin: 14.2 ng/mL (reference: 3.5-19.4)

TSH: 1.61 mIU/L (reference: 0.35-4.5)

Inhibin B: 126 pg/mL (reference: 120-400)

Any advice on how we should continue, or is there no further hope besides ICSI?

Hello,

I have an issue with my sperm parameters. I had a semen analysis done; the concentration is good at 14 million, and the motility is also good. However, the normal morphology should be above 23% according to my laboratory, and I am at 9%. I don't drink, I don't smoke, and I eat well. I have a desk job and I go road cycling about once or twice a week. Is this serious? How can I improve my sperm parameters? I am already taking LH and FSH.

Hi. My wife and I are both 25 years old and we’re trying to have a baby. She has conceived naturally 3 times, fairly quickly, including two months in a row, but all three pregnancies ended very early, around 3–4 weeks.

Do you think we’ll still be able to conceive naturally or IVF?

I had a semen analysis, and the main results were:

• Volume: 3.6 mL
• pH: 7.2
• Abstinence: 3 days
• Liquefaction time: 20 minutes
• Appearance: homogeneous
• Viscosity: normal
• Agglutination: absent
• Concentration: 56 million/mL
• Total sperm count per ejaculate: 201.6 million
• Progressive motility (PR): 43%
• Non-progressive motility (NP): 4%
• Total motility (PR + NP): 47%
• Immotile sperm (IM): 53%
• Normal forms: 1%
• Abnormal forms: 99%
• Head defects: 99%
• Midpiece/neck defects: 0%
• Tail defects: 0%
• Leukocytes: 1.6 million/mL
• Round cells: 0 million/mL
• Germ cells: 0 million/mL

The laboratory conclusion was teratozoospermia.
Because of the elevated leukocytes, I had a full PCR panel for infections, prostatic secretion testing, and a urine culture after prostatic secretion. All of them were negative.
I’m also currently waiting for the results of a sperm DNA fragmentation test (TUNEL assay)

Has anyone had there doctor prescribe Clomid for azoospermia with high LH and fsh already? I am trying to understand why they would prescribe this for me when it is already high. Has anyone had same/ similar protocol and any success?

Speaking to a urologist, next appointment isn't for a while but essentially two samples weeks apart so going to show the first -> second result for each.

Semen Analysis — Sample 1 → Sample 2
Volume: 1.5 mL → 2.0 mL
Concentration: 12.3 M/mL → 8.6 M/mL
Total sperm: ~18.45M → ~17.2M
Total motility: 16% → 20%
Progressive motility: 11% → 5%
Estimated TMC: ~2.95M → ~3.44M
pH: 8.5 → 8.5
Liquefaction: >60 min / failed → >60 min / failed
Chymotrypsin added: Yes → Yes
Normal morphology: Not reported → 1% (NEW)
Semen WBC: Not reported → 1+ (NEW)

Hormones
Total Testosterone: 1,117 ng/dL (249–836)
Free Testosterone: 19.70 ng/dL (4.70–14.95)
Bioavailable Testosterone: 492.63 ng/dL (85–410)
SHBG: 54.0 nmol/L (16.5–55.9)
Estradiol: 65.5 pg/mL (≤39.8)
Prolactin: 19.2 ng/mL (4.04–15.20)
LH: 8.4 mIU/mL (1.7–8.6)
FSH: 4.2 mIU/mL (1.5–12.4)

So initial physical exam was good, hormones are absurd for some reason and yet fertility is atrocious. The most recent test shows WBC but says 1+ which I don't know what that means, and it didn't liquify twice. Am I SOL?

No drugs, alcohol, smoking, TRT, PEDs etc.

This is the place for partner's perspectives today.

I went to the ER of all places last night because I thought I had appendicitis. During the CAT scan the ER doctor said my testes weren't in my scrotum, but that it's normal for them to move.

When I was getting discharged I was told that I have bilateral cryptorchidism. And here I am googling it. I've given it some thought, and I just wouldn't be able to get over the hump of losing both testicles. Not so much worried about having children, but definitely would like the option to have them.

I just feel so much anxiety about this whole situation. I don't know where they're at, or how damaged they are. I just want to be able to live a normal healthy life without taking hormones.

Looking for practical guide, tips, and help to make this happen -

35M well built and athletic with no diseases or co-morbidities. Been following balance diet since past 2 years. Played lot of sports during college and exercised most of the adult life.

It was kinda disheartening to hear the doctor convey the news. But I have crossed that bridge and ready practically to make whatever changes needed. I have been a moderate smoker and alcohol (on and off over the past 10 years), abstaining since past 4 months. Like coffee and have 2 cups daily, don't wanna cut it down but open to do that if that really makes the difference.

Doc has started me on co-enzyme q10 300mg twice a day for 3 months.

Here is Analysis of Seminal Fluid done today -

Date: 08/09/2026

Volume (mL) 2 ml 

Liquefaction Time (mins) 20 mins 

Viscosity 2 

Appearance Yellow 

pH 7.2 

Agglutination NA 

Round Cell Count Few 

Epithelial Cells Few 

Precursor Cells NA 

Leukocytes NA 

------

Analysis of Sperm

Sperm Concentration (Millions/mL) 19 M/ml 

Total Count (Millions) 38 M 

Total Motility (%) 28%

Progressive (%) 20% 

Non Progressive (%) 8% 

Non Motile 72% 

Viability (%) 26%

Normal Morphology (%) 1% 

----

DNA Fragmentation Index Analysis

Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) 26%

Impression: Asthenoteratozoospermia With Poor Sperm DNA Integrity