When we talk about infertility, we can imagine several cases involving both women and men, where some problem occurs that prevents the couple from having children even without any use of contraceptives. For women, for example, diseases such as endometriosis and fibroids can make a woman unable to reproduce, and for men, infertility can arise from diseases such as varicocele, smoking, obesity, and also azoospermia.

Most of the time, the problem with male infertility is low sperm production, which makes fertilization impossible. There are many factors that can cause this low production, but one of the most well-known is azoospermia.

What is Azoospermia?

Azoospermia is precisely the absence of sperm in a man’s semen, or the very low production of sperm. It may indicate a problem with sperm production, their storage within the male reproductive organ, or their distribution — that is, their pathway to the man’s urethra.

A vasectomy, a surgery performed so that a man can no longer reproduce, works in a very similar way and can be considered a forced type of azoospermia, as the channel for the distribution of these cells is blocked in the same way. Having this condition does not necessarily mean that a man cannot reproduce, but the chances tend to be lower.

Types of Azoospermia

Because it is a problem that can occur at different stages of the male reproductive system, azoospermia can be classified into two types:

  • Obstructive Azoospermia
  • Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

Obstructive Azoospermia

In this type of azoospermia, the man’s sperm encounters difficulties in being transported. This is exactly what vasectomy does, but it can also happen due to damage to the testicles, abnormalities in the epididymis or even abnormal pathways.

Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

This happens when the problem occurs in the production of sperm itself. This is mainly due to external damage suffered by the testicles or by defects.

How is Azoospermia Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of azoospermia is made through an exam in which a semen analysis is performed; the test is called a semen analysis. Through it, the count of the man’s reproductive cells is made and it is determined whether the man has any type of azoospermia, as well as indicating whether or not he is able to reproduce.

Main Causes of Azoospermia

As previously mentioned, there are several causes of azoospermia and, depending on each of them, the sperm count in a man may increase or decrease. The main causes are:

  • Genetic Causes
  • Infections
  • Traumas
  • Idiopathic

Let’s talk a little more deeply about each of these causes of azoospermia and how they affect a man’s body.

Genetic Causes

When a man has a low sperm count, one of the first things to be considered is a genetic cause. Particularly when it comes to non-obstructive azoospermia, this type of factor should be taken into account to ensure effective treatment.

Infections

Many types of infections can cause a man’s sperm count to decrease. In particular, infections caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, for example, contribute to the development of some type of azoospermia.

Traumas

Another factor that can cause azoospermia is trauma suffered by a man over the course of his life to his genital organ. Such trauma can be intentional, as with the previously mentioned vasectomy, which causes forced azoospermia at the man’s request, but there are also other types of trauma such as cancer and chemotherapy treatment that end up causing azoospermia in men.

Idiopathic

Even though it is not exactly a cause, it is important to mention that there is idiopathic azoospermia, which is when the cause of this phenomenon is unknown. Although cases are rare, they do exist, and doctors are researching new factors that may cause azoospermia.

Treatments for Azoospermia

To carry out treatment for azoospermia, each case needs to be analyzed individually to determine which measures are necessary. In many cases, the man produces sperm but has some type of blockage preventing them from being released.

In these cases, a microsurgery in which the sperm is collected directly from the testicles can be performed. This way, artificial insemination can take place without any problem.

In cases of non-obstructive azoospermia, several tests must be done to determine the cause of this condition. Based on the results of these exams, it is possible to check if the man has a chance to reproduce and what the best type of treatment is for each specific case.

The dream of almost every couple is to have children and build a family. This is part of our society and our nature as human beings; it is nothing abnormal. When something happens that may prevent reproduction, many people end up feeling desperate and not knowing what to do.

It’s important to remember that there are several alternatives, that azoospermia does not always cause male infertility, and that there are some treatments and surgeries that can solve the couple’s problems without major concerns. In such cases, the best thing is to stay calm and seek the best treatment so your dream can come true—there is almost always a solution.

See Also: Male Impotence – Causes and Treatments
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