What is azoospermia?
Azoospermia is a condition where a man is not having any sperm in his semen. It is a major cause of male infertility.
What causes azoospermia?
Azoospermia may be due to blockage in pathway of sperm (obstructive cause) or may also be caused by a problem with sperm production (non-obstructive cause).
Obstructive azoospermia:
- Genetic conditions , such as congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens, may affect sperm transport.
- Infections of the male reproductive system, such as in the testicles or prostate, may affect male fertility.
- Trauma may cause azoospermia. Previous injury or surgery to the spine, pelvis, lower abdomen, or male sex organs may cause damage to the male reproductive system. This may include surgery on an inguinal (groin) hernia. Trauma may affect sperm production or cause an obstruction in the flow or transport of sperm.
- A varicocele is a condition that causes the veins (blood vessels) in the scrotum to become enlarged and dilated (widened).
Retrograde ejaculation is a condition that causes semen to travel into the bladder instead of outside the body. It is usually caused by a problem with the neck of the bladder and may be due to spinal cord injuries, medicines, or diabetes.
Non-obstructive azoospermia:
- Medicines, such as steroids, antibiotics, and medicines used to treat inflammation or cancer may affect sperm production.
- Smoking, drinking alcohol, and using illegal drugs may also cause problems with sperm production.
- Genetic abnormalities like Klinefelter syndrome and Kallmann syndrome may affect sperm production.
- Subnormal hormone levels may affect the production of sperm.
- Radiation used to treat cancer may affect sperm production.
- Other causes include pesticides, heavy metals, heat, and undescended testes (testicles that did move from the abdomen into the scrotum). Any of these can affect sperm production.
How is azoospermia diagnosed?
Semen analysis can be done and diagnosed. Three consecutive analysis are done before reporting a case of Azoospermia.