Author: Dr. S. Sabarirajan1, Dr. S.R. Ameerkhan Babu2
[1]M.D. (Hom) (Pract. of Med), PGDHHM
PG Guide, Dept. of Practice of Medicine
[2]M.D. (Hom) (Pract. of Med), MBA (HM)
Associate Professor, Dept. of Practice of Medicine
Address for correspondence:
Dr. S.R.Ameerkhan Babu
Vinayaka Mission’s Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, (Constituent of VMRF UNIVERSITY, SALEM) Salem, Tamilnadu
Azoospermia is defined as the complete lack of sperm in the ejaculate. It occurs in 5% of infertile men. If this is the case, then one or both of two conditions may be present.
- There is a problem with sperm production.
- There is a blockage such that sperm production, although normal, cannot reach the ejaculate
Causes
There are three main types of azoospermia:
Pretesticular azoospermia: testicles are normal, but body can’t get them to make sperm. It might happen because of low hormone levels or after had chemotherapy. This type is pretty rare.
Testicular azoospermia: Damage to testicles keeps them from making sperm normally. It can happen because of infection in reproductive tract, such as epididymitis and urethritis, childhood illness such as viral orchitis which causes swelling of one or both testicles, groin injury, Cancer or its treatments like radiation or Genetic conditions such as Klinefelter’s syndrome
Post-testicular azoospermia: testicles make normal sperm, but something keeps them from getting out, like: A blockage in the tubes that carry sperm from testicles to penis. This is called obstructive azoospermia, due to vasectomy or retrograde ejaculation, when semen goes into bladder instead of out of penis during an orgasm. About 40% of men with azoospermia have the post-testicular type.