Azoospermia Treatment

Azoospermia is a male condition when there are no sperms present in the semen of the male. The condition is found in about 1% of men and contributes 15% to the causes of infertility. There are no visible symptoms to the condition until a thorough investigation is conducted, when male approaches the fertility clinic, to find out the reasons of them not being able to conceive. It is then when on semen analysis Azoospermia is diagnosed. A detailed investigation through hormonal tests and ultrasound procedure is conducted to analyze the condition, possible causes, and treatment.

 

The condition falls under two broad categories:

Obstructive Azoospermia (OA)

A condition where sperms are produced normally inside the testicle, but there is a blockage or obstruction in the reproductive tubes that prevents the sperm from flowing out in the ejaculate.

 

Non-Obstructive Azoospermia (NOA)

The tube is open, but there is a sperm production problem where either no sperm are produced at all or there is a very low level of sperm production. This level is often so low that the sperm never makes it all the way out of the testicle and can only be found inside the testicle on surgical retrieval. Sometimes NOA could be due to impaired hormonal secretion from the brain to make sperms while at other times the testicular tissue is damaged and fails to respond to brain hormones to make sperms.

 

How can patients determine whether they are suffering from Azoospermia?

Azoospermia can be determined after a thorough investigation, check-ups, analysis and lab-tests. The earlier and most obvious symptom is if the man is unable to make his partner pregnant despite several attempts and the female is perfectly healthy. A thorough check-up must be done in a certified infertility clinic under the observation of a qualified doctor. Samples of semen are collected from the male and sent for the lab exam. In the microscopic observations if the results show the complete absence of sperms, then it can be established that the patient is suffering from Azoospermia.

 

Various testing procedures to find out the causes of Azoospermia:

• A complete physical examination including the previous medical history and blood tests to analyze the hormonal levels are conducted to find out the reasons for the condition.
• The doctor may also advise for the biopsy of one or both the testicles to check for the signs of abnormal or no sperm counts. With this freezing of the sperms can be done simultaneously if sperms are found.
• An imaging test like Ultrasound scrotum or trans-rectal ultrasound may be needed to look for varicocele, testicular volume or obstruction.
• Genetic tests are conducted to find out if the reasons are in the genes of the male.

 

Treatments for Azoospermia

There are some effective treatments available to treat Azoospermia. Couples wanting a child must approach certified and well-equipped infertility clinics where the required treatment is started without any delay.

 

Treatment for Obstructive Azoospermia

• The most effective treatment is the surgery. A well-conducted surgery can remove the blockage and make a smooth path for sperms to make their way out. There are 97% chances of restoring the sperm flow for the males who undergo surgery. 76% chances of getting their partners pregnant have been verified by various researches.
• For males who do not want a surgery, sperm retrieval helps a lot. A tiny needle is used to draw the sperm from the testicles, which are frozen to be used for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). If a biopsy is conducted at the time of the investigation, doctors often retrieve sperms (if present) at the same time, so there is no need to conduct a sperm retrieval session separately.

 

Treatment for non-obstructive Azoospermia

• When due to hormone deficiency the best treatment method is hormonal injections for a period of 3 to 6 months to help the growth of sperms.
• When due to testicular damage or genetic causes in most of the cases surgical sperm retrieval techniques help. Use of PESA/ TESA/ TESE or Micro TESE works for most but for rest donor sperm use is the last and only resort.
• If Azoospermia is caused due to Chemotherapy and radiation therapy that is used to treat cancer, then there is no need to take any medical treatment for it. Most men who undergo these radiation treatments will have their sperm production resumed within two years following the therapy, depending on the type of treatment received. Hence, more often than not, there is no need to take treatment for Azoospermia.
• Among the biggest drug-related causes of non-obstructive Azoospermia are testosterone and other anabolic steroids. These can cause temporary sterilization, which is a reversible cause of Azoospermia.

 

Patients must remember that not all cases of male infertility or Azoospermia are the same, hence, they cannot be treated the same. Taking the advice of a qualified and board certified infertility specialist is always helpful to understand the condition and its causes.

To understand more about the procedure, consult Dr. Rhythm Gupta, IVF Clinic in Model Town. To book an appointment, call: +91-9868040808 or email: drrhythmgupta@gmail.com