Azoospermia can be caused by several different factors, such as genetic abnormalities, infection, hormonal imbalances, or medications. Fortunately, there are many treatments available to address this issue. Read along to know about the causes and treatments for azoospermia so that you can gain a better understanding of how to manage your fertility health. IVF treatment cost in Kerala has been so much more affordable at almost every speciality. But the thing is that you choose wisely.
Azoospermia and Its Types
Azoospermia is a condition in which there is an extremely low or non-existent sperm count in the semen. This can be due to various reasons, including blockages in the reproductive tract, testicular failure, or hormonal problems that lead to male infertility. Treatment for azoospermia will depend on the underlying cause. And about 1% of all men and 10% to 15% of infertile men have azoospermia.
There are two main types of azoospermia:
Obstructive azoospermia:
There is a blockage or mislaid connection in the epididymis, vas deferens,(the duct that carries sperm from the testicles to the penis) or elsewhere along your reproductive tract. The produced sperm might be getting blocked from the exit so there’s no measurable amount of sperm in your semen.
Nonobstructive azoospermia:
You have scarce or no sperm production due to defects in the structure or function of the testicles or other reasons.
What is the prognosis for patients with Azoospermia?
The cause of azoospermia can be divided into three categories: obstructive, non-obstructive, and unknown.
Problems that can cause Obstructive azoospermia include
- Inflammation.
- Trauma or injury in those areas
- Cyst Development
- Vasectomy
- Cystic fibrosis gene mutation,
-Congenital abnormalities:
Some are born with congenital abnormalities that can cause blockages in their reproductive tracts. This includes undescended testicles and abnormal development of the vas deferens.
-Infections:
Infections(such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea) of the epididymis (the duct that stores sperm) or vas deferens can cause scarring and blockage.
-Surgical complications:
Complications from surgeries involving the reproductive tract can sometimes lead to scarring and blockage.
Non-obstructive azoospermia is caused by problems with sperm production.
- Genetic causes: includes Kallmann syndrome, Klinefelter’s syndrome, Y chromosome deletion, etc.
- Hormone imbalances/endocrine disorders, including hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. hyperprolactinemia and androgen resistance.
- Ejaculation problems such as retrograde ejaculation where the semen goes into the bladder
Testicular failure:
- Anorchia/absence of the testicles.
- Spermatogenic arrest (failure to produce fully mature sperm cells).
- Varicocele (veins coming from the testicle are dilated or widened impeding sperm production).
- Mumps orchitis (inflamed testicles).
- Testicular torsion.
- Sertoli cell-only syndrome (testicles fail to produce living sperm cells).
- Cyptorchidism (testicles have not dropped into the scrotum).
- Tumour.
- Medication allergies that harm sperm production.
- Radiation treatments.
- Diabetes, cirrhosis, or kidney failure.
Prevention
There is no sure way to prevent azoospermia from occurring, there are some things that you can do to reduce your risk.
- Stop doing anything that might harm your reproductive organs.
- Avoid being exposed to radiation.
- Understand the dangers and benefits of drugs that may impair sperm production.
- Reduce prolonged exposure of your testicles to high temperatures.
If you have a family history of azoospermia or other genetic disorders that may increase your risk, speak with your doctor about ways to reduce your risk. If you have an infection, such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea, it is important to get treatment as soon as possible to reduce the chances of damaging your reproductive tract. If you have any concerns about these or other potential causes of azoospermia, be sure to discuss them with your doctor.
Treatment
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for azoospermia, as the underlying cause will dictate the most effective course of action. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove an obstruction or repair a defect. In other cases, medications may be prescribed to improve sperm production. If the cause is unknown or unable to be treated, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) may be used to bypass the need for sperm altogether.
Understanding and treating azoospermia frequently include genetic testing and counselling. Treatment strategies comprise:
- Surgery can unblock tubes or repair and join aberrant or never-developed tubes if a blockage is the root of your azoospermia.
- You could receive hormone therapies if decreased hormone production is the major contributing factor.
- Poor sperm production that results from a varicocele may be treated surgically to tie up the problematic veins while preserving the surrounding tissues.
- In certain individuals, a thorough biopsy can provide sperm straight from the testis.
No matter what treatment option is chosen, it is important to consult with a fertility specialist to ensure that the best possible outcome is achieved.
Conclusion
Many treatments are available for this condition, ranging from medications to lifestyle changes such as exercise and diet modifications. While some forms of azoospermia may not have reversible treatments, those that do can greatly improve fertility prospects for couples with male factor infertility issues.
The success ratio of the best IVF centre in Kerala depends on many factors such as the quality of the sperm and the egg used, the number of years of infertility problems, type of embryo transferred, etc. It also depends on the experience of the doctor that you are preferring for your treatment. So, ensure that you are reaching the right doctor or the right clinic to treat your infertility issues permanently!
