- Conditions Treated
Overview
Azoospermia is a condition in which there are no measurable sperm in a man’s semen. It’s a major cause of male infertility and affects approximately 1% of all men and 10-15% of infertile men. It can be caused by a variety of factors, and it’s divided into two major types:
Obstructive Azoospermia (OA): This occurs when there’s a blockage in the male reproductive tract that prevents sperm from getting into the ejaculate.
Non-Obstructive Azoospermia (NOA): This is due to a problem with sperm production in the testes.
Symptoms
- Infertility: The primary symptom of azoospermia is the inability to conceive a child naturally after a year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
- Low Sexual Desire or Other Sexual Dysfunction: Some men with azoospermia, particularly if it’s related to hormonal issues, may experience decreased libido or other issues with sexual performance.
- Testicular Atrophy or Other Physical Changes: Changes in the physical characteristics of the testicles, such as them being smaller (testicular atrophy), may occur with azoospermia.
Treatment Approach
- Surgery: For obstructive azoospermia, surgery may be able to correct physical blockages or issues, potentially allowing sperm to be present in the ejaculate again.
- Medication: Hormonal imbalances that impact sperm production can often be treated with medication, which can help in cases of non-obstructive azoospermia.
- Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART): When natural conception isn’t possible due to azoospermia, methods like in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be used to achieve pregnancy.
