azoospermia

Azoospermia is the term for a complete lack of sperm in the ejaculate.

symptoms

Determining whether a man’s semen is lacking sperm cannot be accomplished simply by viewing the semen with the naked eye. The only way to diagnose azoospermia is by doing a semen analysis. The test should be done by an experienced lab and reviewed by a physician.

cause

This rare condition can be caused by testicular disease or blockage. The cause of testicular disease is usually unknown, but can be due to mumps or genetic disorders such as Y chromosome deletions. Azoospermia is also symptomatic of Klinefelter's syndrome. A lack of sperm in the semen can also indicate a blockage in the vas deferens. A vasography can be done to test for blockages.

treatment

The cause of the azoospermia must be determined before a treatment plan is formulated. If viable sperm are being produced in the testes, a testicular biopsy can retrieve sperm for use in IVF with ICSI. If, however, a blockage is found, surgical correction or sperm retrieval may be indicated. Finally, if the condition cannot be corrected, donor sperm may be the only option available.