What is azoospermia

To diagnose, the type of Azoospermia, various tests and physical examination are done. The methods used for diagnosis are:. If the semen sample is found to be lacking any sperm, then it is further sent to be placed in a centrifuge to check for sperms in sediment that are otherwise not visible. If two abnormal samples are seen in a patient, then he is sent for further evaluation. It's important to check the levels of key hormones like Testosterone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone that play an important role in sperm production.

This test is performed to check if the patient with suspected blockage or absence of vas is a carrier of mutated cystic fibrosis gene or not. Also, this test can be carried out to analyze the Y chromosomes on a patient with suspected Non Obstructive Azoospermia. Transrectal ultrasound is needed for proper diagnosis of ejaculatory duct obstruction. In certain patients with no other testicular issues, a low FSH value can lead to Azoospermia.

The administration of FSH hormone alone can increase the sperm quantity considerably. A surgical intervention to remove the blockages in the ejaculatory ducts, the seminiferous tubules or the epididymis can almost cure this condition permanently.

What is Azoospermia? Causes of Obstructive Azoospermia The congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens Trauma Ejaculatory duct obstruction Infections Causes of Non Obstructive Azoospermia Ejaculation issues Hormone imbalances Varicocele Medications Genetic conditions Chemotherapy and exposure to radiation Symptoms of Azoospermia Inability to conceive Varicocele Very small and soft testicles Diagnosis To diagnose, the type of Azoospermia, various tests and physical examination are done.

The methods used for diagnosis are: Semen Collection If the semen sample is found to be lacking any sperm, then it is further sent to be placed in a centrifuge to check for sperms in sediment that are otherwise not visible.

Hormone Test It's important to check the levels of key hormones like Testosterone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone that play an important role in sperm production. Genetic Testing This test is performed to check if the patient with suspected blockage or absence of vas is a carrier of mutated cystic fibrosis gene or not. Treatment of Azoospermia There are two ways to treat this condition: Hormone Therapy In certain patients with no other testicular issues, a low FSH value can lead to Azoospermia.

Surgical Treatment A surgical intervention to remove the blockages in the ejaculatory ducts, the seminiferous tubules or the epididymis can almost cure this condition permanently. How long the sperm lives inside the testicles? Know More. What is a Hypospermia? How is blockage in the tubes that transport sperms treated?

Learn more about: Causes of obstructive azoospermia Causes of nonobstructive azoospermia Diagnosing azoospermia An accurate diagnosis begins with analyzing two different sperm samples.

Treatment for azoospermia Your treatment plan depends on which type of azoospermia you have—obstructive or nonobstructive. For obstructive azoospermia , we may recommend microsurgery surgery, a delicate procedure that unblocks the reproductive tract.

We can often perform the procedure using minimally invasive techniques. Learn more about treatment for obstructive azoospermia. For nonobstructive azoospermia , sometimes lifestyle or medication changes may be necessary.

Other times we may recommend hormone treatment. Learn more about treatments for nonobstructive azoospermia. Sperm extraction : We have a high level of experience and expertise with this complex procedure, helping men with very low sperm counts become biological fathers.

Learn more about sperm extraction. Previous Section Next Section. Azoospermia low-sperm-count male-infertility Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery Program International Azoospermia Center Clinical Trials. MyHealth Login. Financial Assistance. Medical Records. Contact Us. Video Visits. Get a Second Opinion. Healthcare Professionals. Around 10 percent of infertile men and 1 percent of all men have azoospermia. Imagine a stadium with 50, men attending a game — around 5, to 7, of those men will have infertility, and of those men will be azoospermic!

Perhaps the most obvious cause would be a vasectomy, which prevents sperm from joining other fluids in the ejaculate. Aside from seeing a specialist in male infertility, the first step would be to get a repeat semen analysis at a lab that has a lot of experience doing semen and sperm tests, because results can vary a lot from test to test and lab to lab. Not with percent accuracy, but we have some good indicators. First, a very careful physical exam is crucial to assess the reproductive structures.

In addition, lab tests such as FSH and inhibin B can give an indication of testicular function. Not necessarily. The testis can be making sperm, but it might not be enough to have any noticeable amount come out in the ejaculate. In the past, almost all men with azoospermia underwent a biopsy to distinguish obstructive from nonobstructive causes and to try to get an even more specific diagnosis.

However, in modern practice, biopsy is rarely performed alone. In most cases, we can predict with high accuracy whether or not a man has an obstructive cause of azoospermia. Since we have started performing testicular dissections to search for sperm, we have learned that different areas of the testis might show different patterns of nonobstructive azoospermia.

For example, one area might show decreased production of mature sperm hypo spermatogenesis or maturation arrest , while another area might show the complete absence of sperm precursor cells Sertoli-cell-only syndrome. Thus, in the modern era, doing a diagnostic biopsy does not often change the ultimate management for men with nonobstructive azoospermia.

For those men, we offer microdissection testicular sperm extraction microTESE , which gives the best chance of finding sperm that can be used for assisted reproductive techniques ART. Sometimes, at the time of the microTESE, we will send a tiny specimen for pathological evaluation to rule out a precursor to malignancy called intratubular germ cell neoplasia ITGCN.