Azoospermia (Zero Sperm Count): Causes, Symptoms and Treatments.

Introduction To Azoospermia

Azoospermia is the state of having a very low sperm in your semen, when I mean low I mean a very unmeasurable low amount of it. It is the worst case of Oligospermia . Normally, with zero count sperm you can have sex and even ejaculate but it won’t contain any sperm or a very very small amount of it.

Technically speaking zero count sperm is not a good condition for anyone. In some cases it is developed from birth or developed at a young age or even as adult. But bear in mind that it can still be treated with the aid of surgeries and medication in most cases. It is nothing to be shy about, so if you notice any change in your body or the inability to get someone pregnant you should contact your doctor.

There are three know types Azoospermia,
they are:

• Pre-testicular Azoospermia: Also known as non-obstructive type of Azoospermia, a situation were your testicles and reproductive tract appear normal but aren’t prompting enough by hormones to produce sperm. It is a product  of hormone imbalance.
• Testicular azoospermia: Also known as non-obstructive type of Azoospermia, this is determined by the structure or function of your testicles, any disorder there can cause a very low or zero sperm production disorder.
• Post-testicular azoospermia: Also known as an Obstructive type of Azoospermia, this is a common type were your organs are making sperm but due some blockages they don’t exit your body. It is majorly caused by problems with ejaculation due to an obstruction or blockage of some sort in the reproductive organ.
  

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Causes Of Azoospermia

Majorly, the most common causes of Azoospermia are blockages and obstructions. But in most cases genetics or hormone imbalances can also be agents for it. Meanwhile, every type of zero count sperm has some of its own set of possible causes, They Include:

Pre-testicular Azoospermia and Testicular azoospermia

This non-obstructive type of Azoospermia is caused by certain hormones and genetics problems. Their causes:

• Variocole
• Medical Reactions to Drugs and treatments.
• Issues to the brain, which involves damages to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
• Exposure to Chemicals, Radiations Treatments and Toxins.
• No testicles (anorchia)
• testicles that undescended (cryptorchidism)
• testicles with the inability to produce sperm (sertoli cell-only syndrome)
• testicles that don’t produce mature sperm (spermatogenic arrest)
• Genetic conditions like Kallmann syndrome, Klinefelter’s syndrome or Y chromosome removal.

Post-testicular azoospermia

This is caused by Blockages and it occurs most commonly, in the epididymis and ejaculatory duct. These obstructions essentially form a roadblock and don’t allow sperm to leave your testicles.  It’s associated with either having or carrying genes for cystic fibrosis.

Some other causes of obstructive azoospermia include things like previous or current infection, cysts, injury, Inflammation, and vasectomy.

Symptoms Of Azoospermia

Honestly, In most situations, you won’t even be aware that you have zero count sperms, Until you have tried countless times to conceive. Any future sign you may experience may be due to underlying factors, for example,

Treatment For Azoospermia

Zero count sperm can actually, be treated depending on its cause, Its Treatments include:

• Surgery or other procedures for reconnecting or unblocking the faulty tube or ducts that are not giving the sperm free access to flow.
• Treatments and Medications should be taken for hormone disorder, and also for boosting of hormone productions.
• Pre-testicular type and Testicular type in some cases reject medical treatment. But helpfully, a new means was devised to ensure pregnancy with a biological child.

  Significantly, it is the collection or extraction of sperm from your testicles with a small tiny needle, with the aim of achieving pregnancy. Yes it is very possible with tools like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Note that before concluding with this you should have a therapy section, to know the impacts on the child.

Prevention Of Zero Count Sperm

Although it is hard to detect, here are a few steps to take to reduce the risk of getting Zero Sperm Count:

• Reduce or stop any activities, like bad rough contact sports, that may harm your testes and reproductive organs.
• Reduce your exposure to radiation.
• Ensure to consult your doctor, for medical advice based on the benefits and risks of medications that may impact sperm production.
• Avoid activities that change the temperature of your testes always, like saunas or steam baths.

Sources

• Azoospermia (Zero Sperm Count): Causes & Treatment -https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15441-azoospermia

• Azoospermia: Treatment, Causes, Symptoms, and More – https://www.healthline.com/health/infertility/azoospermia