Beginning a family can be an exciting time however unfortunately for some people conceiving can be complicated and their partner’s fertility could be at risk. Azoospermia is a condition that can drastically affect male fertility rates. Receiving an azoospermia diagnosis can be scary, however, it does not necessarily mean that being a biological father is unattainable. Often times discovering the root cause is a gateway to being able to receive the treatments that could help restore fertility
What Is Azoospermia?
Azoospermia is a condition where there is no measurable amount of sperm in the semen. This can either be due to your testicles not being able to produce sperm or due to a obstruction that does not allow sperm to be ejaculated
There are two general classes of azoospermia, obstructive and non-obstructive. The former refers to issues such as blockage in the reproductive tract and the latter generally refers to conditions that impair sperm production such as a number of hormonal issues.
What Causes Azoospermia?
There are many potential causes of both obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia. Often times a variety of hormone, genetic and health factors can combine to create azoospermia.
Some of the most common causes of obstructive azoospermia are:
- Hormonal issues
- Genetic conditions
- Infections or accidents that could cause blockage
- Issues such as varicocele
- Medications
- Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy
- Impairment of testicular development/functioning
Environmental and lifestyle factors such as extreme heat can also have an adverse effect on fertility. However, the root cause differs for everyone
How Is Azoospermia Diagnosed?
A semen analysis is often the first step in diagnosing male infertility issues. If sperm are not found, the test might need to be repeated. The American Urological Association and American Society for Reproductive Medicine advise a reproductive history and semen analysis as part of the initial male fertility workup.
Based on the results further tests such as hormone testing, genetic testing and imaging might be recommended by a fertility specialist. A reproductive history and physical examination can also help determine the root cause of your infertility by pointing out relevant surgeries, infections, medications and other factors
Treatment Options For Azoospermia
The root cause of your azoospermia will dictate what course of treatment is available for you. In some cases if there is a obstruction surgery can be performed to correct it.
If the issue is hormonal, then medication can often be prescribed to help attain normal levels of hormones that could help boost sperm production
However, if these options are not viable sperm can often be retrieved directly from the testicle and can be used for assisted reproduction such as IVF with ICSI
It is important to note that the treatment for azoospermia should be individualised rather than generalised as every case is different.
Can Men With Azoospermia Have Biological Children?
Having an azoospermia diagnosis does not necessarily mean that you will not be able to have biological children. Some people may have viable sources of sperm that could be retrieved or a root cause that could be rectified. Whether or not that is a possibility will differ for everyone and a specialist can best advise you on your individual situation.
When Should You See A Fertility Specialist?
If you and your partner have been trying to conceive without success it might be a good idea to consult a fertility specialist. Male infertility is a very common issue and a large variety of treatable conditions can be the cause. If you or your partner have received an azoospermia diagnosis it would be a good idea to speak to a fertility specialist to see what options you have.