What Does Azoospermia Mean?
Types of Azoospermia
Obstruction Azoospermia
It causes blockage in the reproductive tracts, preventing sperm from being released.
Non-Obstructive Azoospermia
Poor sperm production in general is due to factors like hormonal disproportions or genetic anomalies.
Causes of Azoospermia and Low Count
- Genetic Anomaly
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Infection
- Surgical Trauma
- Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)
- Lifestyle Factors (Smoking, Alcohol, Obesity)
Diagnosing Male Infertility
- Semen Analysis: Determines sperm counts and shape and motility.
- Hormone Tests: Measures testosterone and some other hormones.
- Genetic Tests: Checking for chromosomal abnormalities.
- Ultrasound of the scrotum: Looking for blockages or other abnormalities of the reproductive tract.
Treatment Options for Male Infertility and Azoospermia
Retrieval of Sperm
Most of the time, sperm retrieval techniques will be indicated in men with obstructive or non-obstructive azoospermia. These include:
- TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration)
- PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration)
- Micro-TESE (Microsurgical Testicular Sperm Extraction)
Hormonal Therapy
Hormonal imbalance treatment is conducted by the application of hormonal medications to stimulate sperm production.
Surgical Treatments
Surgery is performed to remove obstructions or correct varicocele.
In reconstructive surgeries, sperm flow can also be restored in obstructive azoospermia cases.
Lifestyle Changes
Healthy lifestyle changes, such as reducing body weight, stopping smoking and drinking alcohol, and managing stress, can be beneficial for sperm health.