What is Azoospermia?
There is a taboo around male infertility in India. While there are many social stigmas attached to the issue of infertility, it is essential to understand the medical reasons behind it. It is estimated that among the total 27.5 million infertile individuals, 40% are males! One of the main reasons behind male infertility is low or no sperm count, poor sperm movement and poor morphology .
Learning the fundamental difference between sperm and semen is necessary to understand the problem of male infertility properly. Sperm gets mixed with certain fluids when travelling through the reproductive system. This mixed fluid that gets ejaculated is semen, whereas the fluid that carries the chromosomes is sperm. So, despite semen formation, there can be a situation where there is no sperm count. This particular condition is called azoospermia.
This blog discusses azoospermia, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment in detail.
What are the Different Types and Causes of Azoospermia?
There are different types of azoospermia, and each one has a different cause:
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Obstructive Azoospermia
Also known as post-testicular azoospermia, this condition emerges when there is a blockage in the reproductive tract. Any kind of blockage or a missing link causes difficulty in sperm’s exit. A majority of males suffer from obstructive azoospermia. Plausible reasons for blockage can be infections like lumps or prostatitis, any particular injury, enlargement of veins in the scrotum area, tumour, or congenital abnormalities.
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Non-obstructive Azoospermia
Commonly known as testicular azoospermia, this is a condition where there is negligible or no sperm production. This can be due to a disorder in the functionality of the testicles. There are further two classifications of non-obstructive azoospermia, namely, primary and secondary testicular failure.
Primary testicular failure is caused when the testes fail to produce sperm. This can be due to hormonal imbalances (e.g., low testosterone), genetic conditions (e.g., Klinefelter syndrome), infections, or some kind of trauma, injury or extreme exposure to toxins or medications.
Secondary testicular failure is caused when the testes are unable to produce sperm due to problems in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. This can be attributed to hormonal imbalances (e.g., hypogonadism), tumour cysts or infections.
Are There Any Symptoms of Azoospermia?
There are no indicative symptoms of this condition. It is usually diagnosed when a couple fails to conceive. However, there are some symptoms that one should look out for:
- One might have testicular pain or swelling.
- The low or absent volume of ejaculate. A typical ejaculation must contain between 1.5 and 5 millilitres of semen, but men with azoospermia may notice a significantly reduced volume of semen.
- Hormonal imbalances may lead to decreased facial or body hair, increased breast tissue growth, or a lack of libido.
Diagnosing and Treating Azoospermia
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you are advised to visit a health professional. Today, with better healthcare facilities available, infertility treatment for male counterparts has become familiar and accessible. If it is detected, the doctor usually runs the following tests and procedures:
- Hormone tests are used to measure testosterone levels, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinising hormone (LH).
- Genetic testing is used to identify genetic conditions that can affect sperm production.
- Imaging tests may include ultrasound or MRI scans to examine the reproductive organs for abnormalities.
- A biopsy may be performed to examine the tissue and assess sperm production.
Upon confirmation, the course of azoospermia treatment starts depending on the underlying cause. If the cause is hormonal, hormone replacement therapy is performed. In case of obstructive azoospermia, surgery is advised. In contrast, non-obstructive azoospermia can be mitigated with Assisted Reproductive Technology(ART), such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Final Words
Even after suffering from male infertility, it is not impossible to become a biological father. Choose the best IVF doctor in Delhi NCR for the best azoospermia treatment! For those considering IVF, don’t hesitate to contact the best doctor for a consultation to discuss your specific needs and concerns. The right doctor can help you fulfil your dream of becoming a father!
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