Ever heard of the term Azoospermia? It is a fertility related problem in men which not as common. Azoospermia affects about 1% of the male population. On this blog, we’ll explore Azoospermia condition intimately. Stick till the tip to seek out answers to all of your questions and concerns related to this rare condition. Read on!

What’s Azoospermia?

It is a medical condition in men by which their sperm count becomes equal to zero. This is mostly related to infertility but it might be treated. On this condition no sperm is present in the ejaculation. It’s an unusual but severe type of male infertility. 

Which parts are involved within the reproductive system?

They produce sperms that are also often known as male reproductive cells in a process called spermatogenesis. 

They’re tiny tubes that make up many of the tissue of the testes.

It’s the structure on the back of every testicle into which mature sperm are moved and stored. 

It’s the muscular tube that passes from the epididymis into the pelvis then curves around and enters the seminal vesicle.

It’s a tubular gland that produces and stores many of the fluid ingredients of semen. The vesicle narrows to form a straight duct, the seminal duct, which joins with the vas deferens.

It’s created when the seminal vesicle duct merges with the vas deferens. The ejaculatory duct passes into the prostate gland and connects with the urethra.

It’s the tube that runs through the penis to eliminate urine from the bladder and semen from the vas deferens.

There are two varieties of sources which may cause azoospermia:

•     Obstruction sources
•     Non obstructive sources

What are the varieties of Azoospermia

1. Pre-testicular Azoospermia:

On this your body becomes chargeable for not producing the sperm but your testicles are normal. This will occur as a consequence of low hormone levels or many any medical treatments. It’s as a consequence of inadequate stimulation of otherwise normal testicles and genital tract. That is pretty rare and never quite a lot of people suffer from this. Pretesticular azoospermia is a sort of non-obstructive azoospermia.

2. Testicular Azoospermia:

That is caused as a consequence of damage in your testicles and so they are unable to make sperm. The testes turn into abnormal, atrophic, or absent and sperm production severely less. Causes might be failure include congenital issues similar to in certain genetic conditions.

Your testicles may very well be damaged as a consequence of many other reasons:

•     Infections like orchitis
•     Surgery
•     Trauma
•     Cancer
•     Any sort of accident or injury
•     Klinefelter’s syndrome
•     Childhood illness
•     Urethritis

It is usually a sort of non-obstructive azoospermia.

3. Post-testicular Azoospermia:

On this sperm are being produced but they usually are not ejaculated, a condition that affects 7-51% of azoospermic men. Your testicles make normal sperm, but they usually are not in a position to get out. Essentially the most common reason for this is that if you may have vasectomy done to you to induce contraceptive sterility.  Retrograde ejaculation, when semen goes into your bladder as a substitute of your penis during pleasure. The ejaculatory duct causes obstructions and a few infection also develops. 

That is an obstructive form of azoospermia.

Causes and Symptoms of Azoospermia

that you may have azoospermia as you usually are not in a position to get your partner pregnant. Your sperm reveals no sperm when examined under a high-powered microscope. 

Symptoms:

•     Unsuccessful sexual drive 
•     Erectile dysfunction
•     Cloudy urine after physical performance
•     Pelvic pain
•     Small or saggy testicles
•     Smaller penis
•     Swollen testicles
•     Abnormal puberty
•     Hormonal imbalance
•     Male hair growth reduces

Causes:

The causes depend on the form of azoospermia. Obstruction azoospermia occurs within the vas deferens, the epididymis or ejaculatory ducts. The essential reason for such a azoospermia are:

1. Infection

Blockage of epididymis or some other duct might be caused as a consequence of any infection or inflammation. The infection of the epididymis is often known as epididymitis. This will occur as a consequence of an untreated sexually transmitted infection. If the infection has been treated the blockage can still be present and may create an issue. That is as a consequence of the formation of scar tissue which might be formed throughout the energetic inflammation stage of infection.

2. Surgical causes 

Any trauma to the male reproductive system could cause damage to the tissues or any varieties of vas deferens. If you happen to had surgery done in any area which is not directly or directly related to the male reproductive tract then that may result in scarring or any form of injury. Surgeries like vasectomy could cause unintended cuts and blockages.

3. Development of cyst

If you may have developed any form of cyst in any area near the reproductive system then you definately can develop an issue. A cyst may also cause blockage and scarring. In the course of the removal of the cyst it might cause serious damage to the tissues and other parts.

4. Cystic fibrosis gene mutation

It causes the vas deferens either to not form or to cause abnormal development similar to semen getting blocked by a build-up of thick secretions within the vas deferens.

Causes of non-obstructive Azoospermia

1. Hormonal imbalance

Some male parts work together in creating hormonal signals and chemicals required for sperm production. Some abnormalities within the production of hormones could cause infertility which may also lead to non-obstructive azoospermia. Some also experience primary testicular failure when hormone imbalance is linked with tissues with the testes and it results in inadequate production of testosterone or complete absence of sperm.

2. Genetic causes

Some genetic disorders could cause infertility.

Kallmann syndrome: 

It’s an inherited disorder which is carried by X chromosome. Whether it is left untreated it might cause infertility

Klinefelter’s syndrome: 

The male carries out an additional X chromosome which makes XXY as a substitute of XY. This leads to infertility, together with lack of sexual or physical maturity and a few learning difficulties.

Y chromosome deletion: 

The chromosomes that are chargeable for sperm production are missing and so they lead to infertility.

3. Radiation or chemotherapy

Some exposure to toxic elements can result in temporary and even everlasting azoospermia. If some sort of radiation has been used directly on the male reproductive organs during any sort of treatment then azoospermia can occur.

Chemotherapy for treating cancer can result in azoospermia however it may stop after the treatment has been done. If previously some chemical exposure at work has been done then it might lead to male infertility and non-obstructive azoospermia.

4. Medications

If you may have taken medication previously for treating another problem then it might affect your fertility which may also cause azoospermia. Some drugs could cause certain negative effects but it might be temporary.

Some medications which may cause azoospermia include:

•     Colchicine (used to treat gout)
•     Chlorambucil (cancer medication) 
•     Cyclophosphamide (cancer medication)
•     Procarbazine hydrochloride (treatment for Hodgkin’s disease)
•     Vinblastine sulphate (cancer medication)
•     Sirolimus (used to forestall organ rejection after transplant)

These are some medications which may cause azoospermia as a side effect.

5. Varicocele 

This involves the enlargement of a vein within the scrotum or testicle. This enlarged vein could cause blood to pool in the world, which increases the warmth of the testicles and could cause swelling and shrinking of the testicles. Varicoceles are a quite common reason for male infertility. It will probably result in sperm counts.

Some testicular causes can include:

•     Anorchia (absence of the testicles).
•     Sertoli cell-only syndrome (testicles fail to provide living sperm cells).
•     Spermatogenic arrest (testicles fail to provide fully mature sperm cells)
•     Tumors
•     Testicular torsion
•     Radiation treatments
•     Some diseases similar to diabetes, cirrhosis or kidney failure

Azoospermia Vs Aspermia

Azoospermia and aspermia are two distinct conditions related to male reproductive health. Azoospermia refers back to the absence of sperm in a person’s ejaculate, which may end up from various aspects similar to blockages or low sperm production. In contrast, aspermia is the lack to provide semen or ejaculate altogether, typically as a consequence of issues with the ejaculatory ducts or nerves. The important thing difference lies within the presence of sperm: azoospermia involves no sperm within the ejaculate, while aspermia involves the absence of ejaculate itself, which can or may not contain sperm.

How one can treat Azoospermia?

1. Surgery 

You’ll be able to get some surgeries done which may cause some repair. Some microsurgical treatment might be done to remove or treat a varicocele. When surgery can correct obstructive azoospermia, natural conception may additionally be possible. Surgical treatments cannot correct the entire problem overnight because it takes time. After the surgery has been done a sample can be ordered to see if the sperms levels are normal.

2. Get hormone treatments

As you understand this could be a hormonal problem so you’ll be able to get some hormonal treatment done. Hormones include follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), clomiphene, anastrozole and letrozole. Hormone treatment might be used to stimulate sperm development in some azoospermia men. It is going to allow enough sperm development in order that healthy sperm cells might be extracted from the testicular via testicular biopsy.

3. Lifestyle changes

You’ll be able to make some changes in your eating regimen which may profit you so much. Changing your routine and adding some things in your eating regimen may also affect this problem in a positive way. 

Some Home Remedies 

•     Eat a eating regimen filled with whole, nutrient dense foods which may increase sperm production.
•     Understanding recurrently as it might assist in boosting testosterone levels.
•     Try yoga and meditation to lower your stress levels. Cortisol may also impact your testosterone production.
•     You can even use some herbs and supplements which can promote male fertility like tribulus terrestris, black seed, coenzyme Q10, folic acid, horse chestnut, L-carnitine and zinc.
•     You can even use some treatments which may reconnect or reconstruct tubes or ducts.

How one can prevent Azoospermia?

There isn’t any specific way by which you’ll be able to prevent this problem or some other genetics problems.

•     Use precaution while physical performances.
•     Avoid exposure to radiation
•     Lear completely in regards to the medication which you might be using and its harm.
•     Don’t expose your testes to heat for a very long time.
•     Speak together with your doctor about any symptom you might be receiving from any medication.

FAQs

 1. Can azoospermia be everlasting?

 Azoospermia might be everlasting or temporary, depending on its underlying cause. Some cases are treatable, while others could also be irreversible.

2. Can an infertile man be fertile again?

Yes, in some cases, an infertile man can turn into fertile again through medical treatments or interventions, depending on the particular reason for infertility.

3. How common is aspermia?

Aspermia is comparatively rare, making up a small fraction of male reproductive disorders, and is just not as common as other issues like erectile dysfunction or low sperm count.

Take Away 

There are various causes of azoospermia. You and your doctor will work together to find out the reason for your azoospermia and find the very best treatment options.

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