At Samrudh Fertility & Urology Centre, we believe that every fertility journey is unique, and today, we’re sharing a heartwarming success story of a couple who overcame significant challenges with male infertility. Infertility can be a difficult subject, particularly for men, but it’s a reality that 1 in 10 men face fertility issues at some point in their lives. Despite this, male infertility often goes undiscussed. This couple’s journey highlights the importance of comprehensive care, patience, and optimism.
The Challenge: Male Infertility and Low Sperm Count
The couple came to us after struggling to conceive for several years. The husband was diagnosed with male infertility, with a sperm count significantly lower than 1 million per milliliter. To put it in perspective, such a low sperm count severely decreases the likelihood of natural conception. The idea of having a child using their genetic material seemed increasingly difficult, yet the couple was determined to explore all possible options.
The Initial Assessments
As with any case, understanding the couple’s medical history was essential. Thorough assessments and examinations were conducted for both partners. The wife, in addition to facing challenges with obesity, had issues related to gastritis and acidity for which she was receiving Ayurvedic and allopathic treatments.
On the other hand, the husband’s evaluation revealed a sperm count of around 2-3 million per milliliter—a figure still much lower than what is typically needed for successful natural conception. During his evaluation, we also discovered that he had undiagnosed diabetes, which came as a shock to the couple. Given his low sperm count and this new diagnosis, we knew that immediate action was necessary to improve his overall health.
The Plan: Addressing Health Concerns Before Treatment
Rather than jumping straight into IVF, we took a step back and focused on preparing both partners for treatment. For the wife, weight management became a priority, while the husband worked on controlling his diabetes. We explained to them that these changes were vital not only for the success of IVF but also for improving their overall health.
The couple took this advice seriously. Despite the wife facing challenges in losing weight due to her gastric issues, she made progress. The husband gained excellent control of his diabetes through changes in diet and lifestyle. After a year of working on their health, they returned for follow-up evaluations.
Revisiting the Sperm Count: Challenges Persist
Unfortunately, despite their efforts, the husband’s sperm count remained critically low—between 1-2 million per milliliter. After consultation with our embryologists, we concluded that the quality of his sperm might not be suitable for standard IVF, and alternative approaches, such as PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration), might be needed. We also discussed the possibility of using a donor sperm, given the potentially low success rates with the husband’s sperm.
This was a difficult conversation, but we believe it’s essential to provide couples with all their options so they can make informed decisions. Despite the challenges and the lower success rates, the couple decided to proceed with IVF using their own genetic material.
The IVF Journey: A Path to Parenthood
The IVF treatment began with the wife undergoing ovarian stimulation. Though her egg reserve was lower than ideal, she successfully produced 6-7 follicles. However, the sperm sample provided by the husband was still insufficient for fertilization. At this point, we performed PESA, a procedure that allowed us to aspirate sperm directly from the epididymis, the tube where sperm is stored. Fortunately, we were able to retrieve better-quality sperm for the procedure.
Out of the seven eggs, two embryos were successfully created. The wife was very clear about her desire to avoid twins, so we decided to transfer one embryo at a time. In the first cycle, the transfer did not result in a pregnancy. While disappointing, the couple remained hopeful and immediately decided to proceed with a second transfer.
Success: A Dream Come True
The second embryo transfer was performed during a natural cycle, and this time, the outcome was positive. The couple was overjoyed to learn they were expecting! After years of challenges and uncertainty, their determination paid off, and they were able to conceive using their own egg and sperm.
The pregnancy was not without its difficulties—particularly with nausea and vomiting during the early stages—but overall, the journey was smooth. At around 37-38 weeks, with the baby showing signs of being on the larger side and the mother experiencing reduced movement, we decided to proceed with delivery.
The couple welcomed a healthy baby, and today, their little one is 8-9 months old. The joy on their faces and their sense of accomplishment is something that motivates our entire team at Samrudh Fertility & Urology Centre. Despite the odds, this couple achieved their dream of having a baby with their genetic material.
Lessons Learned: The Importance of Timely Intervention
This story highlights how important it is not to delay fertility treatments, particularly when dealing with male infertility. As sperm counts decrease over time, the chances of success through treatments like IVF also diminish. Taking action at the right time can make all the difference. This couple’s persistence, combined with the right medical care and a comprehensive approach to their health, led to the best possible outcome.
At Samrudh Fertility & Urology Centre, under the guidance of Dr. Indu Madhusudan, we are committed to supporting couples through every challenge they face on their journey to parenthood. If you are struggling with fertility issues, don’t hesitate to seek expert help. The right care at the right time can open the door to a brighter future.
