Azoospermia is considered when no sperm cells are found in at least two spermiogram tests performed at different times. Azoospermia and cryptospermia are often confused. Very few sperm cells are found in the semen of cryptospermia patients. However, azoospermia patients do not have any sperm cells. However, this does not mean that the patients will …
Azoospermia is considered when no sperm cells are found in at least two spermiogram tests performed at different times. Azoospermia and cryptospermia are often confused. Very few sperm cells are found in the semen of cryptospermia patients. However, azoospermia patients do not have any sperm cells. However, this does not mean that the patients will definitely not father a child.
What is Azoospermia?
Azoospermia is the condition of not having any sperm cells in the semen. Today, azoospermia is encountered in approximately 10% of male-related infertility cases. Azoospermia can be congenital or acquired. Azoospermia is seen in men due to many different reasons. Today, thanks to the surgical methods and advanced in vitro fertilization treatments, azoospermia patients can also become fathers.
What are the Symptoms of Azoospermia?
Azoospermia does not cause any symptoms in the vast majority of cases. Most patients learn that they have azoospermia only after they decide to have a child. Mostly, when couples who cannot conceive naturally prefer to apply for assisted reproductive methods such as in vitro fertilization, azoospermia is diagnosed after tests are performed to find out the cause of infertility. Azoospermia can rarely cause symptoms such as sexual reluctance, erectile dysfunction, and hair loss on the face or body.
What are the Types of Azoospermia?
Azoospermia is divided into two main groups: obstruction-related and non-obstruction-related. The treatment of azoospermia varies depending on the type of disease.
Obstruction-Related Azoospermia
Obstruction-related azoospermia is a type of azoospermia that occurs when there is a blockage or no connection in the vas deferens, epididymis or another part of the reproductive system. In these patients, sperm production is present, but due to the blockage, there are no sperm cells that can be measured in the semen sample. In such a case, it is possible to permanently correct the problem or resort to sperm collection techniques.
Non-Obstruction-Related Azoospermia
In non-obstruction-related azoospermia, sperm production is poor and there is no noticeable number of sperm production in the semen. It can be more difficult to treat non-obstruction-related azoospermia. However, today, thanks to advanced surgical methods, live sperm samples can be taken directly from the patient’s testicles.
Causes of Azoospermia
Many different factors can cause azoospermia. Genetic disorders, exposure to radiation or chemicals, medications used in the treatment of certain diseases, varicocele, and hormonal changes cause azoospermia that is not due to obstruction. Among the causes of azoospermia due to obstruction are obstructions in the epididymis due to infection, trauma, or rare genetic problems, obstruction of the vas deferens or sperm ducts, and azoospermia due to obstruction.
Azospermia Diagnosis and Treatment
For the diagnosis of azoospermia, sperm samples are usually taken at two different times and a spermiogram test is performed. In addition, some people may need a hormone test or imaging methods such as computerized tomography of the reproductive tract. In azoospermia due to obstruction, it is possible to open the obstruction with microsurgical methods. In azoospermia that is not due to obstruction, varicocelectomy surgery is performed if the disease is caused by varicocele. Sperm is found in the semen of 40% of varicocele patients who undergo surgery. In cases where non-obstructive azoospermia cannot be treated, a sperm sample is sought from the prospective father’s testicles to be used in IVF treatment. The probability of finding live sperm here is quite high. Thanks to advanced applications such as Micro Tese, patients with non-obstructive azoospermia can have the chance to become fathers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Azoospermia Be Treated with Medication?
Azoospermia due to sperm production disorder is seen in some men. In case of azoospermia due to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, also known as hypo hypo, treatment with medication is possible. Hypo hypo disease, which can be seen in both men and women, is the failure to produce sex-specific reproductive hormones. The disease, which usually causes symptoms such as sexual reluctance or small testicles, is usually noticed at an advanced age. Although the duration of hormone therapy varies from person to person, sperm output is possible at the end of the treatment.
Can Azoospermia Be Prevented?
There is no way to prevent azoospermia, which develops due to genetic problems. In other cases, although it is not certain, azoospermia can progress well. Avoiding exposure to radiation, especially avoiding underwear that is too tight or too hot in the groin area, avoiding injury to the groin area, or avoiding medications that may cause problems with sperm production can help prevent azoospermia.
