Azoospermia: Understanding Sperm Absence & Causes

The complete absence of any sperm within ejaculate is called azoospermia. If even a few sperm are found, this is considered oligospermia. Out of men being treated for infertility, 15-20 percent are found to have azoospermia.

Causes

• Azoospermia may be caused by congenital abnormalities or failure during sperm production. Infections, trauma, drug use, varicocele and vasectomy can also result in azoospermia.

Obstructive

• With obstructive azoospermia, sperm is being produced normally but there is a blockage keeping it from entering the ejaculate. Obstructive azoospermia may be caused by a vasectomy, infection, trauma, varicocele, scarring, or a congenital anomaly.

Non-Obstructive

• Non-obstructive azoospermia means that the production of the sperm within the testicle is not occurring normally. Causes include drug use, hormonal imbalance and radiation exposure.

Symptoms

• Men with azoospermia may experience some, all or none of these symptoms: inability to get a woman pregnant, watery discharge from penis, increased breast tissue, increased body hair and fat, enlarged veins or mass in scrotum.

Treatments

• Treatment for azoospermia depends upon the type. Surgery or vericocele extraction may be able to resolve a physical blockage. Medications can improve drug or hormone related non-obstructive azoospermia. Sperm may also be physically removed from the testicle to be used in assisted reproductive technology if pregnancy is desired.