How Varicocele Surgery Turned Us Into Fertility Overachievers - Contributed by Sarah
Let me take you back a few years: I was deep in the trenches of infertility. After one IVF cycle, five embryo transfers, and two miscarriages, I finally had my first baby. That little human was the result of endless effort, tears, and more hormones than I thought humanly possible.
So when we decided to try for baby number two, I thought, How hard could it be? Spoiler: harder than explaining TikTok trends to your parents.
The Never-Ending IVF Saga
We dove into IVF again, convinced we could handle it. Three more cycles, five more transfers, and… no baby. Nothing but heartbreak and frustration. I kept asking my doctors for new ideas, begging them to change the protocol, but every time, the answer was the same: Let’s just keep trying.
“Trying” wasn’t working. My hope was wearing thin, and my wallet was on life support.
Adding to the frustration was my husband’s diagnosis: teratozoospermia. For those not fluent in medical jargon, it means his sperm were… unique. Let’s just say they weren’t winning any beauty contests or races to the egg.
I was starting to feel like there was no solution—until I decided to step outside the IVF bubble.
The Doctor Who Finally Gave Us an Answer
I found a new OB-GYN, someone who wasn’t tied to a fertility clinic. When I explained everything—our years of struggle, my husband’s sperm diagnosis—the doctor paused and asked, “Have you seen a urologist?”
I blinked. “A what-ologist?”
They explained that when male factor infertility is involved, it’s critical to consult a urologist. Apparently, not all sperm issues are permanent, and some can actually be fixed. Imagine my shock.
Within weeks, we were sitting in front of a urologist, who reviewed my husband’s test results and said, “This is a classic case of varicocele.”
Wait… What’s a Varicocele?
A varicocele is essentially a cluster of swollen veins in the scrotum (yep, delightful). These veins mess with blood flow and create an overheated environment for sperm, which is not ideal for baby-making.
The urologist explained that varicoceles are a leading cause of male infertility, but here’s the kicker: they’re often fixable. The solution? A simple outpatient surgery to tie off the swollen veins and restore proper blood flow.
I stared at the doctor in disbelief. Years of IVF, transfers, and heartbreak—and all along, this had been the problem?
The Surgery That Changed Everything
The procedure was quick, straightforward, and my husband was back to normal in a matter of days (though he definitely made the most of his recovery snacks).
Two months later, I noticed something strange. I was late. After years of tracking my cycle like a hawk, I knew something was up. I took a pregnancy test and almost fell over when two pink lines appeared.
No needles. No transfers. No endless clinic appointments. Just good old-fashioned natural conception.
I told my husband, and his face was a mix of shock and mild panic. “That surgery actually worked?” he asked.
Oh, it worked.
From Struggles to Surprises
Since the surgery, our biggest fertility problem isn’t getting pregnant—it’s not getting pregnant. My husband’s sperm went from underachievers to overachievers practically overnight. One time, we joked about ovulation, and I swear we both panicked.
The irony of needing birth control after years of infertility is not lost on me.
What I Wish I Knew Sooner
Looking back, I can’t believe no one recommended seeing a urologist earlier. For years, I thought IVF was the only option, but it turns out the root cause of our infertility was treatable all along.
Here’s what I learned:
1. If male factor infertility is part of the equation, see a urologist. They specialize in diagnosing and treating issues like varicocele, which can dramatically improve sperm health.
2. Advocate for yourself. If something doesn’t feel right, ask questions. Seek second opinions. Don’t settle for “just keep trying” as the only answer.
3. There’s more to fertility than IVF. Sometimes, the solution isn’t more stimulation cycles—it’s addressing the underlying issue.
A Happy Ending (With a Side of Irony)
Now, we’re the couple who used to struggle to conceive but now jokes about avoiding hugs during ovulation week. Life has a funny way of surprising you.
If you’re in the middle of your infertility journey, don’t be afraid to look beyond the standard advice. Sometimes, the answers you’re looking for are just a urologist away.
And if varicocele surgery turns your partner into a fertility superhero like mine, well… just make sure you have a good stash of pregnancy tests on hand. You might need them.
If you have a positive fertility story you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you! Feel free to send it to us at twentysixcatslab@gmail.com with the subject line “Fertility Story Contribution.”