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Infertile? Don't be so sure... Nearly half of our infertility cases involve male problems and we find a high number of cases are not what they first seem to be. This is because many sperm tests are not 100% accurate (partly because of the test, partly because your sperm quality may vary). If you or your partner have been told that you have "no sperm" and have been advised to use a sperm donor, come to us first - we may be able to find what others have missed. The reason for this is simple. The basic sperm analysis on which many consultants and clinics base their diagnosis is indicative, but not conclusive. At Bridge we go one vital step further by offering a more thorough assessment based on significantly more revealing investigations - by experts. The Effective Approach Our approach is based on a range of affordable and effective strategies for the most serious male condition, Azoospermia - the complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate. A standard semen analysis is the first stage in any investigation of male infertility. This analysis is indicative but not necessarily conclusive. In our experience, a number of patients diagnosed as infertile do, in fact, have a sperm count but it is extremely low and virtually undetectable. We therefore continue analysis using advanced techniques including ultra-rapid centrifugal spinning designed to determine the presence of minute quantities of sperm that can be missed in routine testing. Frequently, we can discover sperm using these techniques when the situation had previously been thought to be hopeless and this may enable immediate harvesting if there are sufficient sperm present. Even with a number as low as 10-20 sperms, it is possible to avoid the need for surgical sperm retrieval and to proceed to ICSI treatment. If, however, even fewer sperm are seen, e.g. one or two, their identification will provide reassurance that sperm are in fact being produced by the testis and that surgical sperm retrieval will be possible with a reasonable expectation of success. Techniques for Sperm Recovery Once it has been established that sperm cannot be obtained from the semen or ejaculate in sufficient quantities, the next step is Surgical Sperm Retrieval by the techniques PESA or TESE. Bridge has developed a strategy to minimise the cost of these procedures for most male patients. The procedures are performed in the Bridge Day Care Unit (DCU) by our own experienced team and, by grouping patients requiring this treatment in regular weekend clinics, we have been able to keep to keep our costs down. In most cases the procedure will be performed in the Bridge Day Care Unit. You will be admitted one hour prior to the operation and will be discharged two to three hours later. Sperm will be recovered using one of two techniques. Our specialist will advise on the most appropriate approach. PESA
TESE
After the Procedures? Patients are generally informed on the same day whether sperm has been found or not. However, in the most difficult cases, a two to three day period of tissue incubation is necessary before sperm can be recovered. Recovered sperm will be frozen for later use. There are generally enough sperm to perform several IVF / ICSI cycles. The chance of recovering sperm is almost 100% if there is a simple blockage. With abnormalities of the testes, the average recovery rate is around 50% - 60%. It is therefore important to understand that there is no guarantee of finding sperm even when the pre-operative tests seem encouraging and patients must be prepared for this eventuality. Immediate Post Procedure Symptoms?
Summary of Male Factor Optimisation (MFO) Costs
* Plus cost of Cryopreservation, see detailed prices - click here Whatever your needs, our prime concern is for you the patient. Call us to discuss the Bridge formula for success - leading consultants, highly qualified staff, outstanding facilities and a range of affordably-priced treatments - all in one of the most convenient locations in London, right next to the Jubilee, Northern and mainline stations at London Bridge. Fertility treatment following PESA / TESE Sperm extracted surgically is not able to fertilise eggs by routine IVF, so Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection, or ICSI, is essential. Fertilisation rates are 50-60% and the chance of pregnancy is mainly related to the woman's age and health - our consultant will discuss this with you. Long Term Sperm Cryopreservation Men may wish to have their sperm cryopreserved and stored in some circumstances:-
Sperm can be stored for a long period of time and used later on for infertility treatment such as insemination of their partner or IVF. |
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Bridge is licensed by the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority to perform IVF, microsurgical Home | Male Factor | Cryoservices | Surgery | Contact Us | Links | Site Map | Privacy |
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