Parenthood is a major transition in a person's life. The nonfulfillment of this wish due to infertility can put them in tremendous emotional turmoil. Both males and females have an equal role in infertility.
There are multiple reasons for infertility in men. One of the reasons is Azoospermia or an absence of sperm in the ejaculate. It is estimated that azoospermia is the reason for infertility among 1 in 15% of infertile men.
What is Azoospermia?
Azoospermia is a condition of a man whose semen contains no sperm due to a block in the reproductive tract, known as Obstructive azoospermia or inadequate sperm production, known as Non-obstructive azoospermia. This is considered as one of the primary reasons for infertility. Azoospermia is classified into two categories - obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia.
- Obstructive azoospermia is a condition when the sperm is produced but is blocked from reaching the ejaculate due to an obstruction in the reproductive tract.
- Non-obstructive azoospermia is a condition caused by low sperm production.
Causes: Genetic Causes, Varicocele, Hypospermatogenesis, Maturation Arrest, Sertoli-Cell Only Syndrome (SCO) or Germ Cell Aplasia (GCA), Medical Treatments, Prescription Drugs Past infections, Hormonal causes, Undescended testicles, and Injury or twisting of the testicles
Treatments for azoospermia
Obstructive azoospermia: Treatment for OA mainly focuses on eliminating the obstructions that block the sperm reaching ejaculate. Microsurgical or endoscopic reconstruction is used to repair most of these obstructions and restores the normal flow of sperm into the ejaculate.
Non-obstructive Azoospermia
The following are the most common treatment options for NOA.
Hormone treatment
Hormone therapies can help coaxing sperm back to their semen or to find sperm during extraction.
These hormones include:
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
- Clomiphene
- Anastrozole
- Letrozole
Varicocelectomy
Having varicocele in the scrotum can also impede sperm production. Varicocelectomy is a procedure used to identify and tie off the enlarged and offending veins causing varicocele.
Sperm retrieving procedures:
- Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA).
- Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA).
- Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA).
- FNA mapping
- Microdissection testicular sperm retrieval
Men with azoospermia should realize that countless couples achieved their wish of having a family through the right treatment methods and infertility medications.
Blog Reviewed By: Dr. Radhika Meka
Mail Us:paramparafertility@gmail.com
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Book an appointment:paramparafertility.com/book-an-appointment.php
