Azoospermia is a medical disorder in which a man has very low or no sperm count in his semen. Furthermore, it is one of the most prevalent causes of infertility in men. In some cases, a man with azoospermia may have no sperm in his semen; In others, just a few sperm may be present. Several causes can cause this syndrome, including genetic anomalies, medical disorders, infections, and reproductive damage. However, with the help of Dr. Chirag Bhandari, the best sexologist in Jaipur, you can diagnose and treat the condition.
In this post, we will learn more about this condition.
Strong Facts About Azoospermia in Men
- Azoospermia is a type of male infertility characterized by the absence of sperm in the semen.
- With sperm of poorer quality, it would be challenging, if not impossible, for him to father a child.
- The success rate of azoospermia treatment varies based on the underlying reason and other circumstances, including the man’s and his partner’s ages.
- If a male with azoospermia can generate enough sperm for fertilization, he can still father a child.
- Men with azoospermia should seek medical consultation and therapy as soon as possible to increase their chances of fatherhood.
Understanding Sperm Anatomy
Sperm anatomy consists of the following structures:
- Head: The spherical head of sperm includes genetic material. It’s also capped by the acrosome, which assists sperm in penetrating the egg.
- Midpiece: The midpiece is placed between the tail and head of the sperm and includes mitochondria, which give energy for swimming.
- Tail: The tail propels sperm toward the egg. Furthermore, it is composed of very flexible microtubules, enabling the sperm to shift its swimming direction.
- Chromosomes: Sperm have 23 chromosomes, which include the required genetic information for fertilization.
Symptoms of Azoospermia
Infertility, or the incapacity to father a child, is the most apparent sign of azoospermia. Whenever a couple is unable to conceive despite a year of repeated attempts, screening for both partners’ reproductive issues may reveal azoospermia. Further, there are no evident indications of azoospermia, as sexual activity, erections, and ejaculation occur as usual. To the human eye, the amount and shape of ejaculated sperm look normal. Hence, diagnosing this condition only after a medical diagnosis is possible.
Semen Analysis for Sperm Counts
Semen analysis is a standard test used to assess the quantity, morphology, and motility of sperm in a man’s semen. It is conducted on infertile couples to discover the reason for their infertility.
Assessing the quantity of sperm per milliliter (ml) of semen is essential to the semen analysis. Further, normal sperm counts range between 15 million and 200 million sperm per milliliter (mL) of semen. Below 15 million is deemed insufficient and may suggest infertility.
The findings of a sperm analysis may also reveal additional problems with the sperm, such as inadequate motility (movement) or an irregular shape. In addition to contributing to infertility, these variables will be assessed as part of the sperm analysis.
Causes of Azoospermia
There are several probable causes of azoospermia, including the following:
1. Obstructive azoospermia
Obstructive azoospermia is an obstruction in the sperm route that prevents sperm from being released. Moreover, this can be due to physical issues like a congenital abnormality or reproductive system damage.
So the causes include:
- Infections
- Absence of vas deferens
- Prostate-related problems
- Vasectomy
2. Non-Obstructive Azoospermia
A difficulty brings on this sort of azoospermia with sperm production. So it may be due to hereditary factors, hormone abnormalities, or testicular complications.
The causes include:
- Chromosomal or genetic causes
- Certain Ejaculation Problems
- Undescended testes
- Infections
- Varicocele
- Torsion
- Medicines and chemicals
- Radiation exposure
3. Oligospermia
Low sperm count in a man’s semen is a medical issue. This indicates that there is less sperm in the semen, which makes it more difficult for a man to conceive. Sperm retrieval and assisted reproductive technologies might still make conception possible, despite the severity of the situation.
Azoospermia Treatment
The major cause of azoospermia is either an obstruction in the reproductive system or a lack of sperm production.
IASH offers sperm harvesting solutions to handle these various circumstances, dependent on the status of the patient. In the event of an obstruction, doctors can extract sperm from the epididymis using the microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) method.
There are other techniques for extracting sperm from the epididymis. However, the MESA procedure at IASH is a reasonably painless and far less invasive process conducted using local anesthesia.
Less invasive operations are available to treat many reasons for obstructive azoospermia.
Based on the cause, it could be more challenging to manage non-obstructive azoospermia. When lifestyle variables, such as pharmaceutical use or hormonal imbalance, represent a problem, treating the condition may be as easy as changing the drug or correcting the hormonal imbalance.
Ayurvedic Medicine for Azoospermia
There are Ayurvedic remedies that increase sperm count by boosting sperm quality. Natural herbs such as Shankhpushpi, Ashwagandha, fenugreek seeds, Gokharu, Safed Musli, and Konch Beej formulate the medicine’s chemical makeup. Zinc supplementation can also aid in increasing sperm count and preventing azoospermia in males.
However, in situations of genetic mutation or other conditions that are difficult to address, IVF with a sperm donor could be the best alternative. Male with genetic issues can biologically father children with IVF, ICSI, and other assisted reproduction techniques.
Tips To prevent azoospermia
If the azoospermia is not hereditary, you may strive to avoid it by eliminating the following:
- Limit your radiation exposure.
- Avoid sports and activities that may be detrimental to your reproductive organs.
- Discuss with your physician the pros and cons of drugs that may impact sperm production.
- Prevent saunas, steam rooms, and other activities that might expose your testicles to high temperatures.
- As these elements might be detrimental to sperm production, it is preferable to refrain from smoking habits, excessive alcohol consumption, sexually transmitted illnesses, excessive heat from tight-fitting underwear, and performance-enhancing drugs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, azoospermia is a widespread cause of male infertility, impacting a significant portion of the male population. However, various treatment options can assist infertile couples in fulfilling their desire to have a child. Azoospermia can be effectively treated with the correct diagnosis and therapy, allowing couples to conceive. Read more excited article on foodtravellibrary.com
