In 2007, 12-year-old Cody Allarte was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF), a condition that disrupts protein production in the body and leads to thick mucus buildup in various organs. The diagnosis, which can lead to blockages and infections, also came with the harsh reality that CF could affect his chances of having children later in life. But as a young child, the concept of infertility was far from his mind.
Now 30, Allarte is married and eager to start a family with his husband. However, the infertility diagnosis from his youth, coupled with new symptoms he began experiencing in 2020, have complicated the path to parenthood.
“I started noticing lumps or what felt like a mass. Then, the pain intensified,” Allarte explained. The symptoms initially felt similar to testicular cancer, prompting him to seek medical advice. His search led to a series of frustrating consultations until he found Dr. Juan Andino, a UCLA Health urologist specializing in male infertility, particularly for CF patients.
“I was determined to find a urologist with experience in cystic fibrosis,” Allarte shared. “That’s when I found UCLA.”
For men with CF, infertility is often caused by congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD), a condition where the sperm canal is absent, preventing sperm from reaching the semen. CBAVD affects nearly 98% of men with CF, making it impossible for sperm to fertilize an egg naturally.
After a year of consultations, Allarte’s search for answers finally led to a breakthrough. Dr. Andino offered a comprehensive solution that would address both his fertility concerns and the pain he had been experiencing.
A Dual Approach to Fertility and Pain Relief
“Allarte underwent a testicular biopsy to assess sperm quality,” Dr. Andino explained. “Then we performed sperm extraction. Additionally, we performed an epididymectomy and varicocelectomy to address the symptoms Cody was facing.”
A varicocelectomy, a common procedure in men with fertility issues, involves removing enlarged veins (varicoceles) in the scrotum, which can hinder sperm production and quality. About 40% of men in fertility clinics are diagnosed with varicoceles.
The epididymectomy, another key procedure, removes the epididymis, a coiled tube behind the testicle responsible for storing and transporting sperm. In Allarte’s case, the epididymis had become painful due to blockages preventing sperm from leaving the body.
Dr. Andino performed both procedures simultaneously, along with sperm extraction and freezing, giving Allarte the option to preserve his fertility for future use while also alleviating the chronic pain caused by his condition.
When Dr. Andino heard Allarte’s case, he was reminded of how often CF patients face fertility challenges. While research on fertility issues related to CF is still limited, Dr. Andino was confident in the dual approach he was able to offer. “We were able to extract sperm for future use and simultaneously relieve Cody’s chronic pain, all while preserving his testosterone production,” he explained.
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