Obstructive Azoospermia
Book an AppointmentObstructive Azoospermia
It is a condition where there is a blockage of the male reproductive tract, leading to a complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate. In obstructive azoospermia, optimal quality of sperms are present in the proximal epididymis but in very poor quality in the distal segments. It is not a very common condition as it is found in less than 1% of all men but in 10-15% of infertile men.
Causes of Obstructive Azoospermia
Obstructive azoospermia may result from epididymal (the coiled tube on the back of each testicle), vasal (the tube that transport sperms), or ejaculatory duct (the tube from which sperm exit in the urethra) pathology. The causes may include:
- Blockages due to trauma or infection
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STD)
- Hernia Surgery
- Scar Tissue
- Cystic fibrosis
- Dysfunction in the process of ejaculation
Treatment for Obstructive Azoospermia
The management of obstructive azoospermia depends on its cause, and it also takes account of any existing female infertility factors. Generally, males with this type of infertility can be treated with surgical correction of the obstruction or by retrieving sperms directly from epididymis or testis, which is then followed by IVF-ICSI.
How Seeds of Innocence can Help
At seeds of innocence, we examine the various causes of obstructive azoospermia, and the suitable treatment is then decided. At our center, we provide both microsurgical vasal reconstruction and sperm retrieval, paired with IVF to males facing infertility issues.
FAQ’s
Q. What Causes Obstructive Azoospermia?
The causes of obstructive azoospermia can be so many. It may be due to infections, inflammation, trauma, rare genetic condition, dysfunction in the process of ejaculation, etc. Your doctor would be able to diagnose the problem accurately.
Q. Can obstructive azoospermia be treated?
Yes, the condition can be treated. Depending on the reason, your doctor would administer suitable treatment.
Q. Can stress cause zero sperm count?
Studies have found that high levels of stress both for short and long-term, can lead to low sperm concentration and counts. However, there are no studies that show it cal lead to zero sperm count. It generally triggers the release of steroid hormones, which may blunt levels of testosterone and sperm production.
Q. How do you prevent azoospermia?
You can take multiple measures to prevent azoospermia, which include avoiding exposure to radiation, avoiding activities harmful to reproductive organs, and reducing the intake of medicine that could harm sperm production.
Q. How common is azoospermia?
It is found in 1% of all men but approximately 15% of infertile men.
Our Doctors
Dr. Gauri Agarwal
Infertility Specialist
Dr. Gauri Agarwal is a young, dynamic and leading fertility specialist of Delhi/NCR. Dr. Agarwal is backed by a visionary thinking, die-hard determination and industry-rich experience of more than 10 years. She is the Director, IVF at Seeds of Innocence Centre. Dr. Agarwal finished her MBBS degree from Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College, Pune. Post that, she did a Diplomate of National Board (DNB), Obstetrics and Gynaecology Residency Program from KG Superspecialty Hospital, Coimbatore. She followed this with a hard-earned Fellowship Program in Reproductive Medicine (Infertility) from the University of Gent, Belgium. Further, she received training in Embryology at the National University of Singapore.
Dr. Gazala Shahnaz
Senior Consultant Fetal Medicine
Dr. Gazala is young & dynamic maternal fetal medicine specialist with keen interest in prenatal screening and diagnosis, and Medical disorders with pregnancy, multiple pregnancy and Fetal growth restriction. She completed her post-graduation in Obstetrics & Gynaecology from the northern railway central hospital, New Delhi followed by fellowship in maternal & Fetal Medicine from prestigious Maulana Azad Medical College new Delhi. She is Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF UK) certified in 11–13+6 weeks scan, anomaly scan, dopplers in obstetrics , cervical assessment and fetal interventions. She has multiple publications in journals of national and international Journal. She is also reviewer on British medical Journal(BMJ). She is certified by the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF, UK) to perform the 11-13+6 weeks’ scan, obstetric Dopplers, cervical screening. She is currently working as Fetal Medicine Consultant, at Seeds of innocence, Malviya Nagar.
Dr. Vandana Mishra
Infertility Specialist
Dr. Vandana Mishra has completed her MBBS from the prestigious Lady Hardinge Medical College, University of Delhi and has received her Masters in Obstetrics & Gynecology from the prestigious University College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. She received gold medal in her masters degree. She has pursued her interest in the field of Assisted Reproductive Medicine, through a comprehensive Fellowship Course in Infertility & Reproductive Medicine from Nova IVI Spain/India. She is trained in pelvic ultrasounds, ovulation induction, IUI, IVF / ICSI, laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. She has a vast experience in handling difficult infertility cases including PCOS, Endometriosis, low egg reserve and azoospermia. Her special interest is dealing patients with recurrent pregnancy losses and genetic abnormalities. She has been successfully heading the Seeds of Innocence fertility centre at Patna since 2019 with utmost diligence yielding excellent success rates and patient satisfaction.
Dr. Julie Chhawchharia
Infertility Specialist
Dr. Julie Chhawchharia, is a competent and committed Infertility specialist in Reproductive Medicine with around a decade of extensive experience along with experience in obstetrics and gynaecology. She has been performing vaginal deliveries, caesarean sections, and various gynaecological surgeries.. She is an acknowledged expert in Reproductive Medicine services by DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai. She is also a meritorious and Gold award-winning student of Fellowship and Diploma in Minimal Access Surgery (Laparoscopy) from the prestigious World Laparoscopy Hospital, Gurgaon in 2014. She completed her MBBS degree and MS in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the renowned Institute JJM Medical College in Davangere, Karnataka.
Dr. Shruti Singh
Infertility Specialist
Dr Shruti Singh is Senior Infertility Consultant and Centre Head at Seeds of innocence IVF centre, Ranchi. She has more than a decade of experience in the field of Gynaecology and Infertility. She has specialised in the areas of IVF, IUI, ICSI, TESA, TESE, Reproductive medicine, embryo transfer, cryopreservation, gynaecological endoscopic surgeries and other fertility related procedures from one of the India’s leading Fertility Academy. She is passionate about utmost patient care and is determined to give best of IVF results with latest technologies in the most economical scenario. She has been doing around 30-40 IVF cycles per month with a consistent result of 70-80% . She has done her MBBS, MS (OBGY) from MUHS, Nashik and has trained herself in endoscopic procedures under Dr Pradeep Garg (AIIMS, New Delhi). She is trained at FOGSI recognised ultrasound training centre in the field of basic and advanced gynaecological and obstetrics ultrasonography from Mumbai. She has bagged around 17 publications in National and International Journals and has experience of paper presentations at various national conferences.
Dr. Seema Madan
Infertility Specialist
Dr. Seema has done her M.D (Obstetrics & gynecology) from Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak Haryana. She has 19 year experience in Gynecology. Before joining Seeds of Innocence she was at ART at KJIVF and Laparoscopy Center as Consultant. She also worked at Fortis Bloom IVF, lady Harding Medical College, and Fortis Escorts Hospital & Research Centre.