Dual infertility issues complicate couple’s dreams to build a family

Victoria and Tyler are facing dual infertility issues leading to an uphill battle in their quest to have a child. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is affecting Victoria’s ability to ovulate, while Tyler is afflicted with low sperm count, an issue that makes fertilization difficult. Dual fertility issues affect about a third of couples experiencing infertility.

For as long as she can remember, Victoria dreamed of becoming a mother. While others around her imagined careers, adventures, or personal accolades, her heart was always drawn to the quiet, meaningful moments of motherhood. Rocking a baby to sleep in the middle of the night, seeing the world through a child’s eyes, and watching them grow into their own person.

But when she and her husband, Tyler, who live in the small community of Pride north of Baton Rouge, began trying to grow their family, they quickly realized that the journey would be far more difficult—and painful—than they had imagined. Dual infertility issues would affect both their abilities to conceive a child. “I never expected that my dream of motherhood would become the source of such heartbreak,” says Victoria.

Dual infertility issues are devastating to learn

Years ago, Victoria, a social worker at an in-patient psychiatric center, was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This common syndrome affects a woman’s ability to ovulate an egg. At the time, she was told it could affect her ability to conceive, but she still held onto hope. “I was young, otherwise healthy, and I believed that when the time came, things would fall into place,” says Victoria.

After their marriage in 2023, Victoria and Tyler actively began trying to conceive. They did several medicated cycles with their gynecologist that were unsuccessful. Months passed. Then years. Every cycle that came and went felt like another little piece of hope slipping away. And then came another devastating blow. Tyler was diagnosed with male factor infertility due to low sperm count. Their dual infertility issues would prove to be doubly difficult to overcome.

“I still remember the moment we heard the words from the doctor—how the air felt heavy in the room,” remembers Victoria. “I looked over at Tyler and saw the same crushed expression I felt on my own face.” Now, instead of just one of them needing help, it would now be both of them facing an uphill battle.

PCOS and low sperm count can be successfully treated with IVF

Upon learning of Tyler’s low sperm count, Victoria and Tyler consulted with Dr. Tolulope Bakare, reproductive urologist with Posterity Health. The consultation helped the couple learn more about Tyler’s diagnosis of oligospermia and what they could do about it.

In some cases, a man’s sperm count may be too low to be improved by medication alone. If the sperm count can be increased to greater than 10 million total motile sperm, then patients can often successfully conceive with intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, IVF has much better success rates than IUI. And, when IVF is used in conjunction with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) then fertilization can occur even with just a few sperm.

IVF can also be successful in overcoming issues with ovulation. Injectable medications using during the stimulation phase of IVF will help Victoria ovulate multiple mature eggs. These eggs will then be retrieved surgically and  that can be fertilized in the IVF lab using Tyler’s sperm.

Staying strong and hopeful

“This journey has taken us to some of the darkest emotional places we’ve ever known,” says Victoria. But despite everything they have gone through, their marriage has remained strong, but not without effort. “Infertility doesn’t just affect the body, it impacts your sense of self, your confidence, your future plans, and your emotional well-being,” says Victoria. But through it all, they’ve remained united in their overwhelming desire to become parents.

Over the years, the couple has built careers they are proud of. Despite the fact that they each have our own health insurance plans through their jobs, neither policy offers any coverage for fertility testing, medications, or treatments. “It is heartbreaking to know that there are medical solutions available—real chances to help us conceive—but that those options are financially out of reach,” they say.

“We are so beyond grateful for the Gift of Hope IVF Grant,” says Victoria. “It has changed everything for us. I feel like we finally have a chance at the family we’ve been dreaming of for years. It would lift the enormous weight of financial burden from our shoulders and allow us to focus on hope rather than limitations. It would mean that the next chapter of our lives could be one of possibility, instead of pain.”