Absence of Sperms (Azoospermia)

Azoospermia: Treatment, Causes, Symptoms

One possible cause of male infertility is Azoospermia, a condition where no sperm are present in the semen. Though it affects about 1% of all men, it is often identified only during fertility evaluations, as many individuals show no obvious symptoms. However, there are several signs that may indicate the presence of Azoospermia.

What are the symptoms of azoospermia?

Azoospermia is found in approximately 10–15% of infertile men. Common symptoms may include:

Reduced sex drive
Erectile dysfunction
Decreased facial and body hair
Lump, swelling, or discomfort in the testicular area

What are the causes of azoospermia?

Azoospermia can result from both obstructive and non-obstructive factors, which may originate at the testicular, pre-testicular, or post-testicular level. Potential causes include:

Trauma
Infections
Hormonal imbalances
Inflammation
Previous surgeries
Vasectomy
Tumors
Radiation therapy
Chronic conditions such as diabetes, liver, or kidney disorders
Genetic abnormalities

What is Non-Obstructive Azoospermia?

Obstructive Azoospermia is a male infertility condition where sperm production is normal, but a blockage in the reproductive tract prevents sperm from being ejaculated. As a result, semen contains no sperm, making natural conception impossible.

This condition accounts for about 40% of all azoospermia cases and can often be treated with surgical procedures or sperm retrieval techniques for assisted reproduction.

What is Non-Obstructive Azoospermia?

Non-Obstructive Azoospermia (NOA) is a male infertility condition where the testicles produce little to no sperm due to sperm production failure. Unlike Obstructive Azoospermia, where sperm is blocked, in NOA, sperm is either absent or produced in extremely low quantities.

NOA affects about 1% of all men and 10% of infertile men.

Precautions During No Sperm Count Treatment

While undergoing treatment for low sperm count, it’s important to follow certain precautions to improve outcomes. These include avoiding alcohol and smoking, getting adequate sleep, maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise, steering clear of harmful chemicals, and consistently taking any prescribed medications or supplements.

To help prevent the issue in the first place, individuals should protect the reproductive organs from injury, limit exposure to radiation, be aware of medications that may affect sperm production, and avoid wearing tight undergarments.

No Sperm Count Treatment

In Obstructive Azoospermia, sperm retrieval is often possible through techniques like:
– ICSI (Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
– TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration)
– MESA (Microscopic Epididymal Sperm Extraction)
– Micro-TESE (Microsurgical Testicular Sperm Extraction)
– PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration)
– TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction)

In Non-Obstructive Azoospermia, TESE or Micro-TESE may still help retrieve sperm from focal areas in the testes.

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Signs of Azoospermia: