What is Azoospermia?

Azoospermia refers to a medical condition, affecting men, where their semen does not contain any sperm. This condition can be regarded as one of the few male infertility causes, which affects around 1% of the men around the world.


The male reproductive system comprises penis, seminal ducts, testes (or testicles), scrotum, prostate, epididymis and vas deferens. The sperm is produced in the testicles, flows through the epididymis, the vas deferens and the seminal ducts and then finally gets out of the body through the penis. A thick white liquid known as the semen carries the sperm out side the body, during ejaculation.


When there is a problem with the flow or the production of the sperm, male fertility usually gets affected and it could also lead to azoospermia. However, undergoing azoospermia treatment options could help resolve male fertility problems to some extent.

Male infertility causes & symptoms

Azoospermia could be the result of obstructive as well as non obstructive factors. Obstructive male infertility causes occur when there is some kind of blockage and the flow of sperm cannot leave the body. The main obstructive factors that lead to azoospermia are genetics, infections in the reproductive system, undergoing a vasectomy, varicocele, trauma or injuries. Non obstructive male infertility causes include problems with the production of sperm in the body. Some of the main non obstructive azoospermia causes are genetics, hormones, use of certain drugs, radiation therapy, un-descended testes, exposure to extreme heat and retrograde ejaculation, to name a few.

It could take a while to realize that a man is suffering from azoospermia. However, there are certain symptoms that help a man to identify the condition. Some of the symptoms that are associated with azoospermia are:

• The inability to get a woman pregnant, in spite of trying for over a year.
• An increase in body hair and fat as well as breast tissue.
• Enlarged or twisted veins on the scrotum.
• Water, clear and whitish discharge from the penis.
• A swelling or a mass on the scrotum.
• Testicles that are soft, non palpable and small.

Azoospermia Diagnosis

In order to administer the proper azoospermia treatment, it is absolutely essential to understand the cause. Hence the patient’s complete medical, sexual and reproductive history needs to be studied. Azoospermia diagnosis is usually done after a physical exam, biopsy, blood test, genetic screening, imaging tests (ultrasound, MRI, spermatic venography), urinalysis and semen analysis. Once the reason and the severity of the condition are identified, the doctor may begin the azoospermia treatment process.

Azoospermia Treatment

In order to treat the problem, a doctor may recommend options like medicines, sperm extraction, percutaneous embolization and surgery, depending on the cause. There are certain male fertility supplements also available, but most of them are quite expensive and not all of them may yield results. Instead it is better to make a few lifestyle changes and use home remedies that enhance azoospermia treatment. Some of the home remedies for azoospermia are:

• Ejaculating less often
• Cutting down on alcohol and smoking as they affect the production of sperm 
• Reducing the consumption of coffee other caffeinated beverages
• Following a nutritious diet 
• Engaging in some relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation 
• Improving circulation in the body, with massages using herbal oil
• Wearing loose underwear
  

Going through male infertility treatment can be quite unnerving or embarrassing for any man. Therefore, it is important to choose a team of experts that a person is comfortable with. In addition to azoospermia treatment, a man may also be asked to undergo counseling. There are several help and support groups or online forum where men can talk about their problems and concerns freely. Most doctors can also suggest names and addresses of such help groups.