If you are trying to become a father and suddenly you find out that your sperm count has dropped to zero, you may think that this is very rare, but it does happen, and it is called azoospermia. Azoospermia is a condition in which a man’s semen contains no sperm at all. It can be of two types: obstructive, in which the blockage prevents sperm from reaching the semen, and non-obstructive, in which the problem occurs in the process of sperm formation itself. Let us tell you when this problem occurs and what is its treatment.
How common is this problem?
Now the question arises: how common is this problem? The answer is very common. If about 10 percent of men struggle with infertility, then azoospermia is found in 1 percent of men overall.
What are the causes of azoospermia?
There can be many reasons for this. Certain genetic conditions, such as Klinefelter syndrome, certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, and many more. The most direct cause may be a vasectomy, which prevents sperm from mixing with other fluids. In many cases, the cause is not fully understood, such as poor testicular development during pregnancy or childhood.
How to deal with this problem
First, consult a male infertility specialist, according to Hopkins Medicine. A repeat semen analysis is necessary, which is done in a laboratory specialized in sperm testing, as results can vary greatly from one place to another. It is also important to find out whether small amounts of sperm are present, as this can significantly alter the course of treatment. Earlier, almost every azoospermic man would undergo a biopsy to find out whether the problem was obstructive or non-obstructive. However, biopsy is now generally avoided because, in most cases, obstruction or reduction in sperm production can be detected without a biopsy.
During testicular dissection, it is found that sperm production may vary in different parts of the testis. In some cases, fewer sperm are formed, in others, maturation is halted, and in others, there are no sperm producing cells at all. Therefore, diagnostic biopsy alone often does not determine treatment.
How is treatment decided?
It completely depends on the patient. Many factors like the age of the partner, fertility status of both the partners, medical report, family plan and financial condition decide the treatment. In some, removing the blockage, such as vasectomy reversal, in others, quitting harmful medications or drugs, correcting hormonal problems, and in others, varicocele surgery may be helpful. For many men, ART, which involves removing sperm directly from the testicles, is the best option.