Obstructive Azoospermia: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

Obstructive Azoospermia is a defective condition in which there are no sperm in the semen. Blockage of the male genital tract resulting in blockage of sperm emission causes this condition. The disease may result in sterility among men but is a blessing in disguise because this condition can be cured. In our blog, we describe obstructive azoospermia, the cause, diagnosis, and treatment.

What is Obstructive Azoospermia?

Azoospermia is one of the reasons for male infertility. Azoospermia happens when the testes produce sperm but they are unable to travel through the reproductive tract. The blockage may be anywhere in the male reproductive tract, the epididymis, vas deferens, or seminal vesicles.

Inability to ejaculate sperm renders a man unable to fertilize anyone. Obstructive azoospermia men, however, can have healthy sperm in the testes. It’s simply a matter of finding and repairing the block.

Causes of Obstructive Azoospermia

There are many causes of obstructive azoospermia. Some of the most common causes include:

• Congenital Absence of Vas Deferens: It is a condition in which the vas deferens, which is a sperm-storing tube, fails to develop at the time of birth.
• Infections: Some infections such as mumps or sexually transmitted disease (STD) injure the reproductive organs and may lead to a block.
• Trauma or Surgery: A past surgery or trauma to the reproductive system can bring about scarring that will result in the blockage of sperm movement. 
• Vasectomy: Vasectomy is a popular male sterilization procedure. Vasectomy reversal is a complex process and may result in obstructing if one wants to reverse it.
• Genetic Disorders: Certain genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis can create anatomical abnormalities with the reproductive tract and lead to azoospermia.

Diagnosis of Obstructive Azoospermia

After azoospermia is established in a man patient, physicians will conduct one or more of the following procedures to identify whether the etiology is obstructive or nonobstructive:

• Physical Examination: Physical examination by a physician will reveal any gross anomaly or obstruction.
• Semen Analysis: Semen analysis is performed to determine the quality and quantity of sperm. Semen will be sperm-free in obstructive azoospermia, but there may be sperm in the epididymis or testes.
• Ultrasound: Ultrasound scans are performed primarily to determine any obstruction or abnormality in the reproductive tract.
• Genetic Testing: Genetic testing may be advised in a few cases to identify any underlying cause such as cystic fibrosis.
• Biopsy: In case the aetiology of azoospermia is not evident, a testicular biopsy can be performed to collect tissue from the testes to be analyzed.

Treatment of Obstructive Azoospermia

Treatment of obstructive azoospermia is different depending on the cause and site of obstruction. The steps for becoming fertile are listed below:

• Surgery Correction: In the event that there is a single point where the blockage is, in certain instances, surgery is done where the block is bypassed or removed. Surgery is usually effective in eliminating the passage through which sperm will travel along the reproductive tract.
• Sperm Retrieval: If surgery is impossible, sperm may be retrieved directly from the epididymis or testes. Sperm can be utilized in assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
• Reversal of Vasectomy: These men can be assisted by the reversal surgery who have had vasectomy and wish to become fertile again. The success of the surgery will be based on how long ago the vasectomy was performed.
• Fertility Treatment: In certain situations, fertility treatment in the form of use of assisted reproductive technology like IVF or ICSI can provide a means for pregnancy even when sperm retrieval must be done.
• Lifestyle Changes: Healthy habits are advised in men with obstructive azoospermia. A good diet, a regular exercise schedule, and avoiding the consumption of harmful substances such as alcohol and tobacco may improve overall fertility.

When to Visit an Expert?

If you experience any kind of issue concerning fertility or are unsure if you have obstructive azoospermia, then the best option would be to consult an expert. A fertility specialist, like the Best Andrologist in Namakkal, can diagnose and suggest procedures for treatment which the patient requires. The specialist will guide the patient through diagnosis phases and treatment phases needed for maximum results.

Besides that, if sexual health is concerning you, it would be a good idea to look up the Best Sexologist in Salem too. Sexual health experts can give you thorough checks to diagnose and treat any conception issues that you might be experiencing.

Conclusion

Azoospermia is obstructive and this kind of condition would be treatable in most cases in men who have infertility. The need for a cause, diagnostic data, and therapies is most crucial to a person in distress to acquire facts about reasons, diagnosis, and therapies. However, the disorder would be treatable through surgery, sperm retrieval, and ART but after consulting the experts like Sexual Medicine Expert in Tamilnadu beforehand so as to undergo rightful diagnosis and customize the treatment program.

If you or your loved one are experiencing problems with fertility, professional assistance must be obtained. With the guidance of professionals and in the newest treatments, obstructive azoospermia can sometimes be cured, and you and your loved one can become parents.