Need advise and encouragement

I am a regular poster but this is a bit private (some family read this site) and I wanted information

My DH found out today that he has varicocele. This is basically an enlarged vein that is causing low sperm counts. He will have surgery to try to have this corrected, but per the doctor even after the surgery there is only a 50% chance of conception. With us it is going to be less becauce I too have some problems.

My question is has anyone else been through this or know anyone who has? Can you offer any encouraging stories for us?

We are interested in adoption as well, so any information on that would be great as well.

Thanks for listening.

I so sorry to hear sweetie. I will look up information on that. I do not know of anyone in this situation. I wish you and your hubby a lot of success. All the best.

First off,
You can try some of the pregnancy boards for others who have dealth with this situation.
At least you know what is going on, and there is some hope in the surgery. That is all a positive.

In regards to adoption, my close friends are leaving on Thursday for china to go get their baby girl If you ever want any information on that please let me know. She can send you tons of info and advise. Her dreams of becoming a mommy are about to come true.

Here is a link I found about Male Fertility, it might not be the answer, but I am sure any info would be helpful. There are also a lot of chat boards out there on Babycenter and Ivillage that you can go to and post your question and you will be amazed at the responses you will get

Male Fertility

Overview
Varicocele is a mass of enlarged veins that develops in the spermatic cord, which leads from the testes (testicles) up through the inguinal canal (passageway in the lower abdominal wall) to the circulatory system. The spermatic cord is made up of blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, nerves, and the vas deferens (duct that carries sperm from the body). If the valves that regulate bloodflow from these veins become defective, blood does not circulate out of the testicles efficiently, which causes swelling in the veins above and behind the testicles.
A varicocele can develop in one testicle or both, but in about 85% of cases it develops in the left testicle. The left spermatic vein drains into the renal vein between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta; these two arteries can compress the renal vein and thus impede bloodflow from the spermatic vein. The right spermatic vein drains into the vena cava (the vein that returns blood to the heart) and develops varicocele less often. A unilateral (one-sided) varicocele can affect either testicle.

Because of the impaired circulation of blood created by a varicocele, the blood does not cool as it does in a normal vein. The increased temperature of the blood raises the temperature of the testes, which is believed to contribute to infertility, as heat can damage or destroy sperm. The raised temperature may also impede production of new, healthy sperm.

Incidence and Prevalence
Incidence of varicocele is 10-20% and is highest in men between the ages of 15 and 25. The sudden appearance of varicocele in an older man may indicate a renal tumor blocking the spermatic vein.

Approximately 40% of infertile men have a varicocele and among men with secondary infertility — those who have fathered a child but are no longer able to do so — prevalence may be as high as 80%.

Causes
A varicocele develops when the valve that regulates bloodflow from the vein into the main circulatory system becomes damaged or defective. Inefficient blood flow causes dilation (enlargement) of the vein.

Signs and Symptoms
Most men who have a varicocele have no symptoms. Asymptomatic (symptom-free) cases are often diagnosed during a routine physical examination. Signs and symptoms may include the following:

Ache in the testicle
Atrophy (shrinkage) of the testicle(s)
Feeling of heaviness in the testicle(s)
Infertility
Palpably (evident to the touch) enlarged vein
Visibly enlarged vein
Recurrent or constant discomfort or pain in the genital region should be reported to a urologist or primary care physician to determine the cause.

Treatment

If the patient is asymptomatic or the symptoms are mild and infertility is not an issue, the condition can be managed by wearing an athletic supporter or snug-fitting underwear to provide the scrotum with support.

Surgery
If the varicocele causes pain or atrophy, if it damages the testicle(s), or if the condition is causing infertility, surgery may be recommended. Most varicoceles can be corrected through a surgical procedure called varicocelectomy (surgically 'tying off' the affected spermatic veins). The following methods are used.

Surgical ligation (tying off) usually requires general (controlled state of unconsciousness) or reginal anesthesia. In this procedure, a 2- to 3-inch incision is made in the groin or lower abdomen, the affected veins are located visually, and the surgeon cuts the veins and ties them off above the varicocele to reroute the blood through unaffected veins. A transinguinal (groin) incision is commonly used and a retroperitoneal (lower abdomen) incision is used in patients with scar tissue from a prior varicocelectomy or hernia repair. Surgery can be performed on an in- or outpatient basis. The patient typically can resume light activity within a week and strenuous activity in about 6 weeks.

Embolization is a nonsurgical procedure that takes about an hour and a half. A catheter (small tube) is inserted into a small incision in the groin to block the flow of blood to the varicocele. Venography is used to highlight the varicocele on x-ray and to visually guide the catheter. The catheter is then used to push tiny coils into place to block the blood flow to the dilated vein. This eases the pressure, reduces enlargement, and restores normal circulation. Light sedation, sometimes called 'twilight anesthesia,' is used during the procedure; the patient does not lose consciousness. Stitches are not needed. Normal activity is usually resumed within 2 days.

Laparoscopy is a technique in which the surgeon inserts a tiny camera attached to a long cylindrical tube into the abdominal cavity through a small incision. Using the camera to locate the varicocele, the surgeon then inserts other instruments through the same incision to isolate and tie off the dilated veins. This technique requires a smaller incision than surgical ligation and is sometimes regarded as less invasive. The laparoscope, however, can sometimes damage abdominal organs, which is not a risk factor in open surgery. The procedure takes about 2 hours and recovery about 2 days.

Prognosis
Between 5% and 20% of patients experience a recurrence. In such cases, the procedure usually is repeated. Another 2% to 5% develop a condition called hydrocele, a fluid-filled cyst that forms around the testicle. Minor surgery is used to correct this problem.

About 50% of men who undergo varicocelectomy to correct infertility father children within the first year. It takes about 90 days for a sufficient quantity of new sperm to be produced to permit fertilization. Semen analysis usually is done at 3- and 6-month intervals after the operation. (see Male Infertility).

Naturopathic Treatment

The first, and thought to be most important, contributing factor to the formation of varicocele is a low fiber, highly refined diet — one that relies heavily on white flour products, sugar, and processed foods at the expense of fresh vegetables, whole grains and fruits. The lack of dietary fiber slows down the bowels, and contributes to constipation by hardening and drying the stool. Constipation stresses the pelvic floor by putting extreme pressure on the veins when the bowels move. This repeated pressure strains the vessel walls, and may damage the vessel tissue.

Another contributing factor is also related to diet choices and centers on the lack of flavinoid-rich foods. Flavinoids are found in abundance in fresh vegetables and fruits and have been shown to contribute significantly to the structural integrity of blood vessels.

Heredity may also contribute to a tendency for structurally weak vessels but this is not thought to be an obstacle in prevention if the diet is improved.

Diet Recommendations

Include: Eat a 'whole foods' diet that focuses on fresh vegetables and fruits (lots of richly pigmented berries to strengthen vessel walls); whole grains; fish and poultry; flax seed oil or other EFAs (essential fatty acids) found in fish oil, olive oil and nuts; and drink plenty of fresh water. Choose organically raised foods when possible.
Avoid: Processed foods, fast foods, junk foods, animal fats, hydrogenated oils and margarine, sugar and white flour products, alcohol and caffeine.
Extra fiber: Add 1 tablespoon psyllium seed husk fiber and/or 6 to 8 tablespoons flax seed meal and/or a cup oat bran daily to diet. Remember to increase water intake to keep things moving. 2 to 3 liters of water is optimal.
Supplemental Nutrition
Bioflavinoids: 1,000 mg daily
Vitamin C: 1,000 mg three times a day with meals
Zinc: 30 mg daily
Vitamin E: 400 IU daily
Herbal Therapeutics
None of the following herbal remedies have any significant side effects associated with regular use at the suggested doses. As with all medications, herbal or otherwise, more is not better and overdosing can lead to serious illness and, in very rare cases, death. There is no danger if you carefully follow dosage outlines.
Rarely, an herb at the prescribed dose will cause stomach upset or headache. This may reflect the purity of the preparation or added ingredients such as synthetic binders or fillers. For this reason it is recommended that you use only high quality, standardized extract formulas. If possible, consult with a natural health practitioner such as a holistic medical doctor or licensed naturopathic physician before starting any alternative treatment plan.

All of the following herbs have been shown to tone, strengthen and improve the function of veins:

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) — 50 mg escin standardized extract daily.
Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) — 10% ruscogenin standardized extract, 100 mg three times a day.
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) — 25% anthocyanoside, 150 mg three times a day.
Physical Medicine
Kegel exercises to improve blood flow and muscle tone.

thank you so much for your great responses. Shamma you always know exactly where to look for information. Michelle I will definetly let you know when we need the adoption information. I am so happy for your friend

I will check some of the other boards as well for more information.

I don't really know anything about this (although it looks like Shamma posted some really good info). I just wanted to lend you my support. I wish you and your husband all the best.

I don't know about this problem - but I wanted to send you my hugs and support!



P.S. Shamma - you're awesome!

I don't know much about this either, but wanted to send you lots of !

Ditto to the other girls... I can't offer advice, but I can send

I do have a friend who recently went through the surgery. He has apparently known about his condition for a while, but never wanted to undergo a surgery that is very far off from a guarantee. But he has been dating someone for over a year and decided that he could not marry her unless he knew that he could give her children. She doesn't care and would adopt, but he is being super macho about the whole thing.

Well, he had the surgery and after a follow up a few weeks later with his doctor - the surgery was a success

Now we are all (especially his girlfriend) waiting for the ring.

I hope that everything works out as well for you and your DH

I dont' know anything about this surgery or condition, but it seems that Shamma was able to find great info! Research is really your best tool - and I am sure there are even support groups out there on the web for people that have gone through this.

As a side note. I had a condition when I was around 21 years old that required surgery leaving me with scarred fallopian tubes and a 50% chance of conception. Well I got the better half of 50%....

Keep your chin up and educate yourselves as best you can. My dust and prayers are with you!