Men who have no sperm in their semen are considered azoospermia patients. There are many factors that can cause azoospermia. Some of these factors are genetic and congenital. However, it can also be seen later due to various reasons such as trauma. Azoospermia is divided into two categories: obstructive and non-obstructive.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDt9JjsmAmo What is Nonobstructive Azoospermia? …
Men who have no sperm in their semen are considered azoospermia patients. There are many factors that can cause azoospermia. Some of these factors are genetic and congenital. However, it can also be seen later due to various reasons such as trauma. Azoospermia is divided into two categories: obstructive and non-obstructive.
What is Nonobstructive Azoospermia?
Nonobstructive azoospermia is the absence or very little sperm production due to dysfunction in the testicles. In patients with obstructive azoospermia, sperm production is present, but sperm is not included in the semen due to obstruction. In nonobstructive azoospermia, sperm production function is impaired. Causes such as Sertoli cell only syndrome, developmental arrest or hypospermatogenesis may be among the causes of nonobstructive azoospermia.
Nonobstructive Azoospermia Risk Factors
Nonobstructive azoospermia is divided into two as pretesticular and testicular. Pretesticular problems disrupt the hormone balance for normal sperm production. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, known as hypo hypo, hypothyroidism, Kallman syndrome, some pituitary gland tumors and the use of some medications cause pretesticular azoospermia. Varicocele, cryptorchidism, testicular cancer, exposure to radiation, exposure to various chemicals, Sertoli cell only syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome are also risk factors for azoospermia that is not due to testicular obstruction.
Non-Obstructive Azoospermia Symptoms
Non-obstructive azoospermia may not cause any symptoms. When symptoms are seen, these symptoms may vary depending on the cause of non-obstructive azoospermia. These symptoms include sparse hair and feathers, lack of sexual desire, swelling around the testicles and penis, shrinkage in the testicles and failure to conceive normally.
Non-Obstructive Azoospermia Diagnosis Process
In order to diagnose non-obstructive azoospermia, the person is first given a spermiogram test. If there is no sperm in the semen sample taken as a result of this test, a spermiogram is performed at least twice at different times to diagnose azoospermia. Afterwards, various hormone tests, urine analysis, various genetic tests or testicular biopsy are used to understand the type of disease and the underlying cause.
Obstructive Azoospermia Treatment with Micro TESE Surgery
Microscopic testicular sperm extraction surgery, known as micro TESE, can enable patients with non-obstructive azoospermia to have babies. In this method, live sperm cells are searched in the sperm ducts with microsurgical methods. Although there is no sperm sample in the semen, there is a possibility that live sperm will be found in the testicles. Live sperm found with micro TESE surgery can be used in in vitro fertilization treatment. Live sperm cells can be found in the testicles of approximately 60% of patients diagnosed with non-obstructive azoospermia.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can Non-Obstractive Azoospermia Be Treated?
In patients with non-obstructive azoospermia, it is possible to obtain sperm with hormone therapy applied to people with low testosterone levels. However, this is seen in approximately 1 in every 10 men. As a result of hormone therapy, the possibility of finding sperm in the semen and the possibility of finding live sperm directly in the testicles with micro TESE surgery increase.
2. Is Hormone Therapy Necessary in Patients with Non-Obstractive Azoospermia?
Hormone therapy is not necessary in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia. Hormone therapy is not required in patients whose testosterone levels are not very low. However, if the testosterone hormone is very low as a result of hormone tests, hormone therapy may be required. However, it should be considered that the bioavailable testosterone is high. Having high total testosterone levels alone is not enough.
