Azoospermia is one of the most common causes of male-related infertility. There are two different types of azoospermia: obstructive or non-obstructive. It is a worrying disorder for couples who want to have children. However, today, the vast majority of couples who have azoospermia-related infertility problems can have babies. At this point, the most important determining …
Azoospermia is one of the most common causes of male-related infertility. There are two different types of azoospermia: obstructive or non-obstructive. It is a worrying disorder for couples who want to have children. However, today, the vast majority of couples who have azoospermia-related infertility problems can have babies. At this point, the most important determining factors are the type of azoospermia and the fact that the surgeries performed to find sperm in men diagnosed with azoospermia are performed by specialist physicians in the field.
How Common is Azoospermia?
Azoospermia is seen in 10% of men with infertility problems. It is thought that 1% of the entire male population in the world has azoospermia. Azoospermia is considered one of the most common male-related infertility problems.
Which Diseases Can Cause Azoospermia?
The causes of azoospermia vary depending on the type of the disorder. It is thought that approximately 10-15% of genetic problems affecting the Y chromosome cause low sperm count or azoospermia. Kallmann syndrome, some diseases that cause damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, undescended testicle, Sertoli cell-only syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, diabetes, varicocele and some tumors can cause azoospermia that is not due to obstruction. Some infections, cysts and some problems that develop due to injuries are among the diseases that cause azoospermia due to obstruction.
Azoospermia Risk Factors
Similarly, the risk factors that can cause azoospermia vary depending on the type of disorder. Non-obstructive azoospermia risk factors include cryptorchidism, late puberty, chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment, testosterone replacement therapy, anabolic steroid use, history of orchitis, and exposure to toxins such as heavy metals or pesticides. Obstructive azoospermia risk factors include previous testicular surgery, inguinal hernia repair, recurrent respiratory tract infection, scrotal trauma, and malformations in the reproductive system.
Genetic Azoospermia Risk Factors
Genetic factors underlie approximately one in three azoospermia cases. However, approximately 40% of idiopathic cases are thought to be genetic in origin. Genetic factors can cause both obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia. Congenital absence of vas deferens, Young syndrome are some of these. Some genetic problems such as congenital hypothalamic hamartoma, selective gonadotropin deficiency, Klinefelter syndrome, XX male syndrome, Noonan syndrome, Y chromosome microdeletion, cryptorchidism are also some of the genetic risk factors for azoospermia that is not due to obstruction.
Environmental Azoospermia Risk Factors
The main environmental risk factors for azoospermia are exposure to drugs used against agricultural pests and various solvents. The risk of azoospermia is also increased in people exposed to heavy metals for a long time. In addition, exposure to extreme heat is another environmental risk factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can People With Azoospermia Have a Healthy Sexual Life?
People with azoospermia usually do not have a problem in their sexual life. However, erectile dysfunction or sexual reluctance, which are symptoms of azoospermia in some people, can prevent the person from having a healthy sexual life.
What are the chances of IVF in Azoospermia Treatment?
Today, with the developing technology, it is possible for couples with infertility problems caused by azoospermia to have a baby. In IVF treatment, it is possible to obtain live sperm cells from men with azoospermia problems in different ways such as PESA or Micro TESE, depending on the type of the disorder. The sperm cells obtained are then combined with the egg cell taken from the mother in a laboratory environment and fertilization is performed. Today, many men with azoospermia can become fathers thanks to IVF treatment.
