During puberty, sperm, the male reproductive cells, begin to form. Due to various disorders or bad events, the number or function of sperm may be impaired. The condition of having no sperm is called azoospermia . These disorders can be treated in some cases. However, even when treatment is not possible, it may be possible to have a child by evaluating the IVF technique. Individuals who want to receive treatment should first be checked by an experienced urologist. After determining this condition, the form of treatment can be determined.
Azoospermia is a condition in which no sperm is found in the semen (seminal fluid) from the male reproductive organs. Men with this condition may experience infertility and may not be successful in having children. However, while there is no sperm in the semen, there may be sperm in the testicles. There are causes of azoospermia that are related to obstruction and causes that are not related to obstruction. After the cause of the disease is determined by the urologist , it is possible to have a child with appropriate treatment.
How is azoospermia diagnosed?
Sperm analysis can be performed with the sperm test technique. The diagnosis can be made clearly according to the sperm analyzable result. However, it is not appropriate to determine the diagnosis with sperm measurement applied once. If there is no sperm in the semen according to the results of at least two sperm tests performed in different periods, the individual can be diagnosed. Hormone testing, urinalysis, hereditary tests and testicular biopsy can also be used. Once the disorder has been identified, the causes of the disorder must be investigated before treatment can be administered. After the cause of the disorder is determined, the specialist doctor decides whether treatment can be performed.
What are the Symptoms of Azoospermia?
These patients may not have specific findings. However, some symptoms may raise suspicion about this condition. Recognizing the symptoms and taking them seriously can contribute to the early diagnosis of the disease. These symptoms are as follows;
- Significant reduction in hair and body hair
- Increased sexual desire
- Swelling around the male reproductive organ
- Significant shrinkage of the testicles
- Sensitive reproductive organs
- Inability of the spouse to conceive
- Abnormal discharge
What are the Causes of Azoospermia?
There are many reasons for azoospermia, which is known as lack of sperm in semen. The causes of this condition can be divided into two categories: obstruction-related and non-obstruction-related. In cases caused by obstruction, there may be sperm in the testicles. However, the ducts that will remove the sperm are blocked or congenitally absent. The obstruction can be removed and sperm can reach the semen. Treatment can also contribute in cases that are not due to obstruction. However, even without treatment, it may be possible to have a child through in vitro fertilization. The causes of azoospermia are as follows;
Causes due to obstruction:
- Infection in the male reproductive organ
- Operations in the past
- Nerve wear and tear
- Congenital absence of ducts to transport sperm
Causes not related to the obstructed condition:
- Testicles located higher than usual
- Testicular involvement during mumps disease
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- Hormonal problems
- Genetic disorders
- Testicular tumor
- Lack of sperm-producing cells
- Disorders during sperm development
- Testicular infection
- Varicocele
- Testicular deficiency
- Treatment of azoospermia
Azoospermia Treatment
Once the cause of this discomfort is determined, it can be done for the cause. Successful results can be achieved as a result of the treatment. During the treatment of azoospermic men caused by obstruction, the conditions that cause obstruction can disappear with some surgical operations. In the treatment of azoospermia that occurs in cases where obstruction is not the cause, sperm production can be achieved through surgical operations. The treatment method is decided by the specialist after the control and examinations of the man who is thought to be azoospermic.
Azoospermia treatment methods vary widely depending on the cause of sperm deprivation. These reasons may vary from individual to individual. In order to determine these, it is first necessary to take the patient's history in detail, to know the infections the patient has had in the past, the surgeries he has undergone, and to examine his genetic predisposition. Together with all of these, the causes can be determined after the physical examination performed by the urologist.
The treatment of azoospermia caused by obstruction is performed surgically. If there is a canal problem as a result of an infection that occurred in the past or a congenital canal problem, this situation can be corrected by microsurgery or by entering the sperm with a needle. If ejaculation is not possible due to damage to the nerve, surgical or drug treatments can be applied for nerve damage. With these methods, sperm can reach the semen.
In cases that are not related to the obstruction, sperm cannot be transferred to the semen with treatment. However, with surgical methods, cells from the testicle can be searched and sperm can be found or produced. The sperm found can be used and they can have a child with the in vitro fertilization method.