September 2024 - Imprimis IVF

Azoospermia: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Infertility is defined as the failure of couples to achieve conception through unprotected intercourse for one year. Getting into the world of infertility can be quite overwhelming, as pregnancy announcements may appear to be all around, and there are questions about one’s health that only make it even more confusing as to what the next step should be. Sterility is a complex problem for many couples, and one of the leading causes of male infertility is azoospermia when there is no sperm in the ejaculate.

This guide will teach you all you need to know about azoospermia: its causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

What is Azoospermia?

Azoospermia is the condition whereby there are no sperms in the semen, and thus, the male partner is sterile. However, this does not necessarily imply that sperm is not being produced; sometimes sperm is produced but cannot get to the semen because of blockages. There are two main types of azoospermia: based on the mechanism of the disease, it can be divided into two types, namely obstructive and non-obstructive.

Non-obstructive azoospermia is where there is no sperm production in the testicle at all, while obstructive azoospermia is when, for some reason, there is a barrier to sperm from the testicle getting into the semen, for example, between the testicle and the ejaculatory duct. In this case, sperm production is not usually affected.

non-obstructive azoospermia, the sperms are not produced due to some ailment in the testes responsible for producing sperms. This may be due to genetic disorders, hormonal problems, or injury to the testes due to infections, radiation, or chemotherapy. It was found that azoospermia had an impact on infertility in as many as 10% of patients with this diagnosis.

Different Types of Azoospermia and Its Causes

Azoospermia, which refers to the absence of sperm in semen, can result from various factors and is generally divided into three categories: pre-testicular, testicular, and post-testicular. Each has distinct underlying causes.

1. Pre-testicular Azoospermia

This type, a form of non-obstructive azoospermia, is often caused by hormonal imbalances or genetic issues. A common example is Kallmann syndrome, a rare disorder that disrupts the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), necessary for sperm production.

Damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland—due to trauma, tumours, or radiation—can also interfere with hormone regulation, leading to infertility. Additionally, some medications that affect hormone levels can contribute to pre-testicular azoospermia.

2. Testicular Azoospermia

This form occurs due to issues within the testes. Conditions such as anorchia (absence of testes) and cryptorchidism (undescended testes) can result in poor sperm production. In cases like Sertoli cell-only syndrome, the supportive cells are present, but the sperm-producing cells are absent. Spermatogenic arrest, where sperm development stops prematurely, also falls into this category.

Genetic conditions like Klinefelter syndrome, where men have an extra X chromosome (XXY), lead to testicular failure and reduced sperm production. Other factors include infections like mumps during adolescence, radiation exposure, varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum), or surgical damage.

3. Post-testicular Azoospermia

This type, known as obstructive azoospermia, occurs when sperm production is normal, but a blockage in the reproductive system prevents sperm from being released. One common cause is the congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD), a genetic condition often associated with cystic fibrosis, where the ducts that transport sperm are missing.

Other potential causes include infections, cysts, or previous surgeries such as a vasectomy. Trauma to the reproductive organs can also result in blockages that prevent sperm from reaching the semen.

Identifying the specific category of azoospermia helps guide treatment options, which may include hormonal therapy, surgery, or infertility treatment like in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Understanding the Symptoms of Azoospermia

Most of the men with azoospermia do not know that they have the condition until they try to have children. However, some might develop symptoms associated with other diseases or disorders, genetic or otherwise. Endocrine dysfunctions can present as increased amounts of body fat, body hair, or gynecomastia, which may affect sperm quality and fertility.

Genetic disorders including Klinefelter syndrome, which is prevalent in 90% of the men with azoospermia, result in small or undescended testicles, low testosterone levels, and cognitive or psychiatric disorders. Klinefelter syndrome is also related to such general health issues as metabolic syndrome and autoimmune disorders. Anatomical abnormalities, for example, varicoceles, which are the swelling of the veins inside the scrotum, or other structural problems, may also hinder sperm movement. Some men may experience testicular fullness or lumps, or they may feel that their testicles are less firm than usual.

The primary symptom of azoospermia is the inability to conceive, which is usually diagnosed after the couple has not been able to conceive for some time. In all cases, a thorough medical evaluation, including hormone tests, genetic screening, and imaging of the reproductive organs, is crucial for confirming the diagnosis and identifying the cause from an IVF specialist near me.

Diagnosing Azoospermia

Azoospermia is the absence of sperm in the semen, and several tests are carried out to identify the cause. The most common diagnostic method is a semen analysis, spectrogram, or monogram. This test involves determining some semen characteristics, including the concentration, motility, and morphology of sperm.

Steps in Diagnosing Azoospermia:

Semen Analysis: The first procedure is to carry out a post-coital test twice to rule out the presence of sperm. Exams are usually conducted after two to three months to allow for variability due to factors such as stress, fever, and the use of drugs that may affect sperm. If both samples contain no sperm, the condition is referred to as azoospermia.
Physical Examination: After confirmation of the disease, a physical examination is carried out. This involves an examination of the testicles and scrotum, probably the reproductive tract, and possibly a rectal examination to assess seminal vesicles or the prostate gland.
Blood Tests and Hormonal Evaluation: Blood tests determine reproductive hormones such as testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The presence of abnormally high or low hormone levels can also give information about sperm production.
Imaging Tests: Ultrasound or MRI scans may identify blockages in the reproductive system or abnormalities in the pituitary or hypothalamus that could affect sperm production.
Genetic Testing: In the cases of non-obstructive azoospermia, genetic testing could be required. And like said above, conditions like Klinefelter syndrome or Y chromosome microdeletions can be associated with this type of azoospermia.

Confirming the diagnosis of azoospermia helps determine whether the condition is obstructive or non-obstructive, guiding subsequent treatment or fertility options.

Treatment for Azoospermia

The approach to treating azoospermia, characterized by the absence of sperm in the ejaculate, varies based on whether the cause is obstructive or non-obstructive.

Obstructive Azoospermia Treatment

Surgical Correction:

If the reproductive tract is blocked, microsurgery or endoscopic surgery may be employed to correct it. Microsurgery involves removing blockages in the vas deferens or epididymis using delicate procedures, while endoscopic surgery involves removing obstructions such as those in the ejaculatory duct through least invasive procedures.

Sperm Extraction:

If surgery is not possible or is not desired, sperm can be obtained by removing it from the testicles or epididymis. This sperm can then be used in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as infertility treatment (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). These methods are used mainly in cases of obstructive azoospermia in the male partners.

Non-obstructive Azoospermia Treatment

Hormonal Therapy:

In cases where the hormonal levels of sperm-producing hormones are low, then treatments may involve hormone replacement therapy or the use of drugs that may help in the production of sperm. For instance, aromatase inhibitors can be used to regulate the ratio of testosterone and estradiol, which can help with sperm production.

Surgical Interventions for Varicoceles:

Surgical removal may be beneficial when varicoceles, enlarged veins in the scrotum, are affecting sperm production. This intervention is normally done when the condition is severe.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART):

If restoring sperm production is not possible, sperm can be directly retrieved from the testes using techniques such as testicular sperm extraction (TESE). These sperm can then be used in ICSI during IVF procedures.

If genetic issues cause azoospermia, then it may be advisable to seek genetic counselling and plan the couple’s future family accordingly. The outcome and success of treatment depend on the type of azoospermia that a man is diagnosed with.

Conclusion

Azoospermia is one of the leading causes of male infertility defined as the absence of sperm in the semen. To understand the condition, one has to know if it is obstructive or nonobstructive because the treatment of the two is different. In cases of obstructive azoospermia, which is the most common type, correction of the blockage through surgery or sperm retrieval is possible, while non-obstructive azoospermia that originates from testicular causes may require hormone treatment, surgery or assisted reproductive technologies like IVF.

Azoospermia can be diagnosed with the help of semen analysis, physical examination, blood tests, and genetic testing to identify the exact cause of the condition and determine further treatment. While the condition is painful, many medical treatments offer several ways of handling fertility. It is encouraging that early diagnosis and various treatment options can help patients with azoospermia to have a successful conception and childbirth.

Endometriosis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

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Endometriosis is a complex condition where tissue resembling the uterus lining grows outside the uterus, causing various symptoms. Commonly, this can lead to pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and even fertility challenges. Managing endometriosis often requires a multifaceted approach, including medications, surgical interventions, or a combination of both treatments. Want to know more? Read on further to understand everything you need to know about endometriosis.

What Is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a disease that occurs when the uterine lining-like tissue grows in other areas of the body. This growth leads to painful periods and may lead to complications such as pregnancy complications due to scarring and blocked fallopian tubes.

Generally, endometriosis impacts the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or outer lining of the uterus. In severe cases, it can affect the bladder and intestines or go beyond the pelvic region, possibly affecting the lungs.

This condition affects approximately 10% of women and those assigned female at birth (AFAB) in the world. However, it is most frequently diagnosed in individuals between 20 and 39. Luckily, the symptoms of endometriosis can be controlled with the right treatment.

Types of Endometriosis

Endometriosis can be categorized into four main types based on the areas it affects within the pelvis or abdomen:

Endometriomas: These are black cysts filled with fluid. They are usually found in the ovaries, though they can be located in any part of the pelvis or abdomen. They are also known as chocolate cysts.
Superficial Peritoneal Endometriosis: This is the least severe form, in which endometrial tissue forms lumps and grows on the peritoneum, a thin tissue that covers the walls of the abdomen and pelvis and most of the organs in these regions.
Abdominal Wall Endometriosis: At times, endometriosis can also occur on the abdominal wall, with the tissue sticking to the surgical site, for example, a C-section.
Deeply Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE): In this type, endometrial tissue invades the organs inside or outside the pelvic cavity, such as the ovaries, rectum, bladder, and bowels. However, in rare circumstances, the disease can cause massive scarring of tissue that joins the organs together, resulting in a frozen pelvis, which occurs in 1%- 5% of endometriosis patients.

What Are the Causes of Endometriosis?

The actual cause of endometriosis is not yet known, but some theories may explain the occurrence of this disease. One of the most famous theories is retrograde menstruation, which states that the blood enters the fallopian tubes and the pelvic cavity in backward motion. This backward flow can contain endometrial cells that can implant on other organs such as the ovaries or intestines. As retrograde menstruation is common in women and does not necessarily indicate endometriosis, other factors, such as immune system dysfunction, could be involved in not expelling these displaced cells.

Genetics also plays an important role in the development of endometriosis. It is believed that people with a family history of the disease, for example, a mother or sister diagnosed with the disease, are more likely to develop the condition.

Another theory relates to immune system disorder, in which a low immune response may lead to the growth of endometrial cells outside the uterus. Hormonal factors again play a role in this case, especially estrogen, which leads to the formation of endometrial-like tissue in abnormal locations.

Other possible causes include:

Coelomic metaplasia, where cells lining the abdominal cavity transform into endometrial-like cells.
Embryonic cell transformation, where remnants of embryonic cells develop into endometrial tissue later in life.

What Are the Symptoms of Endometriosis?

Pelvic pain is a common symptom of endometriosis, often intensifying around menstruation. Unlike regular menstrual cramps, this pain can be severe and long-lasting. Other symptoms include painful periods (dysmenorrhea), discomfort during sexual activity, and pain while urinating or during bowel movements, particularly around the time of menstruation. Some people may also experience heavy menstrual bleeding or spotting between periods.

Endometriosis is also associated with infertility, and many individuals only learn they have the condition during fertility evaluations. Additional symptoms may include fatigue, bloating, diarrhoea, or constipation, particularly during menstruation. Interestingly, the severity of pain doesn’t always match the amount of tissue growth; some with minimal tissue may experience intense pain, while others with extensive growth might have few symptoms.

How Is Endometriosis Diagnosed?

Endometriosis diagnosis is challenging due to the fact that there is no test that can be used to make a diagnosis without surgery. The diagnostic process often starts with the assessment of symptoms and the patient’s history. A pelvic exam can show endometrial lesions, but it is not very effective in diagnosing small lesions of endometriosis.

Even though ultrasounds and MRIs can reveal some larger cysts, including endometriomas – ‘chocolate cysts’, they cannot diagnose endometriosis or visualize small lesions.

The only definitive method of diagnosing endometriosis is through a procedure known as laparoscopy, which is a form of surgery. During laparoscopy, the doctor will place a small camera through a small cut near the belly button to look at the abdominal cavity. If there is any indication of an abnormal growth, then a tissue sample may be taken for further examination. Biopsy is deemed to be the most accurate technique due to visualization of the tissue and puncture of tissue samples.

Sometimes, endometriosis is discovered accidentally during surgeries for other conditions or in individuals without symptoms. However, diagnosing endometriosis can be delayed due to the complexity of the condition and the wide range of symptoms, making it challenging to identify early in some cases.

Treatment Options for Endometriosis

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for endometriosis, but there are different ways of treating the symptoms. The type of treatment depends on age, the severity of symptoms, and whether the person wishes to conceive in the future.

First, pain management is achieved using the available NSAIDs, which help decrease inflammation and pain. For severe pain, stronger medicines may be administered to the patient.

Hormonal therapies are most frequently prescribed to manage symptoms. Such treatments include oral contraceptives, progestins, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists that help reduce estrogen levels in the body, slowing the growth of the endometrial-like tissue. Nevertheless, these treatments cannot reconstruct tissues or eliminate fibrosis, scarring, or adhesions.

In case of failure of medication, surgery may be recommended. Laparoscopic surgery is effective in the removal or destruction of endometrial tissue. In more severe cases, a total abdominal hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) and possibly the ovaries may be recommended although this is the last option.

To conceive, some people might have to undergo an infertility treatment like IVF because endometriosis can damage the reproductive system by forming scar tissue and inflammation.

Another aspect concerns the complementary approaches patients use to deal with the symptoms, including acupuncture, diet changes, exercises, biofeedback, counselling, etc. Although such methods may help alleviate the symptoms, little research proves their efficiency, and they do not treat the disease.

Conclusion

Endometriosis is a chronic disease in which endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, causing symptoms and various complications. While there is no known cure for the condition, patients can benefit from medications for pain relief, hormone replacement therapy, and surgery. For the condition to be well managed, the patient should undergo laparoscopy to get an early diagnosis and then be treated according to the findings. More research and a holistic approach to patients’ treatment and management are critical in enhancing the results for the affected individuals.

IVF & Multiple Pregnancies, Risks & Benefits

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The main objective of infertility treatment is to achieve a healthy pregnancy and baby. While the idea of having twins might seem appealing, multiple pregnancies significantly raise the health risks for both the mother and the babies.

Due to the high cost of fertility treatment, which may not be fully covered by insurance, some patients and physicians may opt to transfer multiple embryos to increase the chances of pregnancy. However, this approach carries a major risk: the likelihood of twins or multiple births. Understanding these risks is important when considering treatment options.

How Does Multiple Pregnancies Happen with IVF?

IVF is a fertility procedure that may lead to multiple births in some cases. One major cause is the implantation of multiple embryos at once during the procedure as this boosts the chances of conception and in effect, multiple births. The number of embryos to be transferred depends on various factors such as the age of the woman, her previous experiences with IVF, and the quality of the embryos. Sometimes, an embryo might just divide on its own and this leads to identical twins or more of them.

Fertility medications employed in IVF cause the ovaries to release some eggs, resulting in the formation of several embryos and, therefore, multiple pregnancies. Also, assisted hatching, performed to facilitate embryo implantation, can lead to multiple pregnancies when more than one embryo is inserted. Fertility specialists try to optimize the chances of the procedure while minimizing the risks and choosing how many embryos should be transferred to achieve a healthy pregnancy.

What Are the Chances of Twins with IVF?

The chances of having twins through IVF have evolved significantly due to improved medical practices. In 2021, the twin rate for IVF was about 20-30%, which is a reduction compared to earlier rates where multiple embryos were often transferred during IVF cycles. This decrease is due to clinics adopting a practice of transferring fewer embryos at a time, often just one, to lower the risks associated with multiple births.

However, when fertility medications are used to stimulate egg production, there is still a risk of multiples. This makes the occurrence of twins during IVF higher than the natural rate of around 2%. While the likelihood of twins remains higher with IVF, the rate has been steadily declining as clinics focus on single embryo transfers to promote safer pregnancies and better health outcomes for both mothers and babies.

Benefits of IVF and Multiple Pregnancies

IVF has changed the world and opportunities for childless couples because it has given them hope for becoming parents, which they never had before. While multiple pregnancies through IVF come with both benefits and risks, we will first look at some key advantages before moving further with an overview of all the risks and complications:

Increased Chances of Pregnancy: Some IVF strategies can improve the chances of conception, such as transferring multiple embryos hence making it necessary for couples who have not conceived naturally.
Emotional and Psychological Fulfillment: The chance of having twins or multiple children within a single IVF cycle is a wonderful prospect that may generate immense pleasure and emotional fulfilment for families who have undergone a long period of fertility troubles.
Efficient Family Planning: For people who want to conceive more than one child, multiple pregnancies through IVF can be useful in that they can get the desired number of children within a few cycles. This may be cheaper and possibly requires less physical effort than conventional methods.
Support Networks and Resources: Expectant multiple parents through IVF can access numerous support structures and information. These networks provide useful advice and support, helping to address the peculiarities of raising multiple children.

Risks Associated with Twin Pregnancy with IVF

Undergoing IVF can result in multiple pregnancies, such as twins or triplets, which carry higher health risks compared to singleton pregnancies. Here are some reasons why specialist doctors avoid the chance of twins or triplets with IVF:

1. Preterm Birth

One major risk is preterm birth, with nearly 60% of twins and 90% of triplets being delivered before 37 weeks of gestation. Preterm birth often leads to complications like respiratory issues, developmental delays, and long-term health problems such as vision or hearing impairments. Infants born prematurely due to multiple pregnancies may require intensive care and longer hospital stays.

2. Low Birth Weight

The baby’s low birth weight is another concern that you might have to deal with, in the case of multiple pregnancies. Babies weighing less than 2,500 grams at birth are considered low birth weight, increasing the risk of developmental challenges, infections, and difficulty maintaining body temperature. Over time, these infants are more likely to face chronic health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease later in life.

3. Gestational Diabetes

Women carrying twins or more are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes, a condition that raises blood sugar levels during pregnancy. This requires close monitoring and management to avoid complications such as preterm birth or an increased need for cesarean delivery. If left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause the baby to grow larger than normal, making delivery more challenging.

4. Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia, marked by high blood pressure and potential damage to organs like the liver and kidneys, is also more common in multiple pregnancies. This condition poses serious risks for both the mother and babies, often leading to preterm delivery to avoid life-threatening complications. Preeclampsia can also cause placental abruption, where the placenta detaches from the uterine wall prematurely, posing significant health risks.

5. Cesarean Section

The chance of needing a cesarean section increases with multiple pregnancies. Twins or triplets often do not position themselves for a safe vaginal birth, making cesarean delivery the safer option. However, cesarean sections come with their own risks, including longer recovery times, possible surgical complications, and a higher risk of infection compared to vaginal birth.

Other Complications to Consider

1. Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS):

TTTS develops when twins have a single placenta, which causes unequal blood circulation between them. The “donor” twin donates extra blood, while the “recipient” twin can experience fluid overload and heart failure. The donor twin may become anaemic. TTTS is diagnosed with ultrasounds that measure the amount of amniotic fluid around each baby.

The condition is usually fatal, and if it is not treated, the death rate is high and can range from 80-90%, which leads to the death of one or both twins. Some of the treatment options are laser therapy, where doctors surgically sever the blood vessels that connect the twins or serial amniocentesis, where a doctor removes some of the fluid from around the fetus to reduce pressure. TTTS usually begins between the 16th and 26th weeks of pregnancy.

2. Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR):

IUGR is a condition in which one or more fetuses fail to develop at the expected rate inside the womb. In multiple pregnancies, this is likely to occur in one twin more than the other as they unequally share the placenta or resources. IUGR can have long-term effects on the general health of the small baby, such as developmental problems and low birth weight.

This is done with the help of ultrasound, and in such cases, one twin may be considerably larger than the other. Depending on the severity of the condition, management can include close follow-up, serial ultrasound, and possibly preterm delivery.

3. Placental Abruption:

This condition occurs when the placenta separates prematurely from the wall of the uterus, resulting in excessive bleeding and sometimes a lack of adequate oxygen supply to the babies, putting the lives of both the mother and the babies at risk. Placental abruption is more common in multiple pregnancies since the uterus and placenta receive more pressure.

Some of the signs are abdomen ache and blood from the vagina. In most cases, the patient needs emergency medical care, and the type of treatment depends on the extent of the disease and the stage of pregnancy. And in most cases, premature birth is necessary.

Conclusion

It is possible to have multiple births through IVF, and this brings both benefits and risks. Although women who opt for the transfer of more than one embryo are likely to conceive, the process is associated with some complications like premature birth, low birth weight, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. Modern techniques in IVF have enabled the decrease in multiple birth rates by improving single embryo transfers where possible.

The idea here is to try to get pregnant while at the same time trying to reduce the risks associated with pregnancy for the mother and the babies. It is essential to consider these factors when planning for fertility treatment since there is constant advancement in technology, making fertility treatment safer and more successful in assisted reproduction.

The Most Common Abnormalities in Sperm: How to Treat Them

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Sperm Abnormalities – Sperm plays an important role in the male reproductive system. It is a special cell that has the function of fertilizing a female egg and starting the journey of pregnancy. Sperm cells are stored in the testes through a process known as spermatogenesis. During the process of spermatogenesis, the immature cells in the testes divide and mature and get turned into motile sperm cells that are capable of fertilizing an egg.

The sperm quality and quantity are affected by certain factors such as increasing age, poor lifestyle, genetics, and even, medical conditions. They can cause various sperm abnormalities, that can destroy the success rate of the process of fertilization, and make it hard for couples to conceive naturally. With the help of this blog, you will get in-depth knowledge about the Sperm, Abnormalities in sperm, What causes them, and its treatments.

5 Most Common Sperm Abnormalities

There are many anomalies related to sperm that can be divided into different categories. Different types of spermocytosis affect male reproductive efficiency differently. They may include problems with a count of spermatozoa, their mobility or morphology.

The most common fertility problems associated with men’s sperm include:

Low Sperm Count: This is when a man possesses less than 15 million sperm per millilitre of semen thereby reducing chances of successful fertilization.
Sperm Agglutination: This is where the various sperms stick together and form clumps that hinder them from moving and fertilizing eggs.
Low Sperm Motility: It means when sperm is unable to swim or move towards the egg. When the sperm cannot get to the egg for fertilization, it is when we can say that they have poor or faulty motility.
Abnormal Sperm Morphology: The appearance and shape of sperms are also called morphology. Unusual forms of sperm may cause low fertility and a higher risk of miscarriage.
DNA Damage: Numerous causes lead to DNA damage in a male’s germ cells, including ageing, environmental pollutants, and certain medical disorders. Fertilization failure and increased risk of abnormal births in offspring are some of the consequences associated with DNA damage in spermatozoa.

Morphological abnormalities constitute one type of defective sperm morphologies that might prevent eggs from being fertilized. Generally, a healthy human sperm should have:

A separate head, midpiece, and elongated flagellum shaped like a whip.
An oval-shaped symmetrical head that has no blemishes or defects.
A straight smooth undamaged tail
The average length is around 5-6 micrometres while breadth may be between 2.5-3.5 micrometres but it varies greatly.

What Causes Sperm Abnormalities?

Situations like specific medical illnesses as well as treatments (radiation therapy, chemotherapy) can create sperm anomalies quite often.

Exposure to harmful environmental pollutants.
Genetic determinants
Hormonal imbalances
Way of life causes
Drugs
Past or present infections
Injury to the testicles
Undescended testes
Too much testosterone use
Varicoceles

Some symptoms can help identify sperm abnormalities. In most cases, males show no signs of their abnormality. Males often find out after they start trying to get their partners pregnant and failing. Symptoms may be present depending on the cause of infertility

Pain or swelling in the testicular region, and hair loss due to hormonal imbalance can be some factors.

Treatments for Sperm Abnormalities

You have a few choices when it comes to addressing morphologically abnormal sperms.

Sperm Washing

It is the process of removing poor-quality sperm and mucus from a man’s semen to increase the chances of conception. It is a component of several fertility treatments.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

IUI – This process is an artificial insemination technique, where the sperm is directly into a woman’s uterus. By-passing some parts of a woman’s anatomy increases chances for healthy pregnancy even with male factor infertility concerns involved

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

In a bid to increase the chances of pregnancy, IVF involves fertilising an egg in a laboratory and then transferring the embryo to a woman.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

ICSI refers to directly injecting sperm into an egg which increases chances of fertilisation and pregnancy. This is a part of the IVF process.

Sperm Donation – There are instances when using donor sperms that are healthy and high in quality is the best option. By going through their looks and personality profile, one can choose donors who will provide them with a favorable match thus increasing the likelihood of success from treatment.

FAQs

Q1. What are the most common sperm abnormalities?

A1. The most frequent sperm abnormalities are sperm count (oligospermia), motility (asthenozoospermia), morphology (teratozoospermia), and azoospermia.

Q2. What lifestyle variables might lead to sperm abnormalities?

A2. Smoking, heavy alcohol use, drug use, a poor diet, obesity, and exposure to environmental pollutants can all lead to sperm abnormalities.

Q3. How does ageing influence sperm quality?

A3. As men age, their sperm quality might deteriorate, with increased sperm DNA fragmentation, lower motility, and a higher risk of sperm abnormalities.

Q4. Can nutrition improve sperm abnormalities?

A4. A balanced diet high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can boost sperm health. Zinc, selenium, folate, and vitamins C and E are very useful.

Q5. Is there an association between stress and sperm abnormalities?

A5. Yes, persistent stress can cause hormonal imbalances and oxidative stress, which can impair sperm count, motility, and morphology.

Q6. How do environmental conditions influence sperm quality?

A6. Environmental variables such as exposure to chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, and radiation can all have a deleterious influence on sperm quality, resulting in numerous abnormalities.

Q7. Can Abnormal sperm be treated?

A7. Sperm abnormalities are treated based on the underlying reason. Lifestyle modifications, medication, surgery, and assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF or ICSI are all possible options.

Why Choose Us?

Male infertility being very sensitive needs to be tackled with utmost privacy and expertise. At Imprimis IVF, we’ve got a team of Fertility experts to help you with diagnosis and treatment of any infertility concerns. Our specialists are dedicated to providing personalized state-of-the-art care tailored to your individual needs. We have the most up-to-date therapies available for our patients so you can start your journey toward motherhood with us.