Does No Sperm Mean No Hope For A Family?
Male-factor infertility has been shown to impact couples at equal rates as female infertility. In many cases, semen analysis reveals low sperm count as the underlying factor behind difficulties in conceiving. Some men have azoospermia, a severe form of low sperm count that limits fertility further. Most infertility patients turn to reproductive treatment and fertility clinics for support. While strategies like in vitro fertilization (IVF) are helpful, azoospermia treatment often requires additional support. Through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), there is hope to one day have a biological child despite fertility challenges.
Exploring low sperm count and azoospermia
During natural conception, a healthy sperm count is required to reach the fallopian tubes and fertilize the egg. If there is insufficient sperm, a couple will struggle to conceive. Doctors measure sperm in millions per milliliter of semen. A healthy sperm count ranges from 15-200 million per milliliter. If a semen analysis reveals less than 15 million, a man may be diagnosed with a low sperm count, called oligospermia. However, some men have azoospermia, which is an absence of sperm in the ejaculate. Some men may have sperm with azoospermia, but the figure is so low that natural pregnancy is nearly impossible. This news can be devastating, but options are available to help with parenthood.
A step further than IVF with ICSI
Finding the root cause can assist men with azoospermia. There is sometimes an obstruction, such as a vasectomy, surgical complication, or damage to the reproductive organs. Addressing these issues may improve fertility. Doctors have found, however, that the best option is to seek assisted reproductive technology (ART) like IVF and ICSI. With IVF, fertility clinics create embryos with healthy egg and sperm samples. The embryos are then implanted into the woman for pregnancy. ICSI takes IVF a step further. The fertility team uses a single healthy sperm to create an embryo for the IVF process.
How successful is ICSI?
IVF depends on the millions of sperm found in a healthy sample to naturally fertilize the egg in the laboratory setting. With azoospermia, there is insufficient sperm in each sample. Embryologists can separate individual motile sperm and use these samples to fertilize healthy eggs. ICSI requires all the similar steps of IVF that both men and women must follow for optimal results. The difference comes in the application of sperm in the production of embryos. Studies show that ICSI can produce similar live birth rates to conventional IVF. In other words, ICSI is not a replacement for IVF but is just as effective in extenuating circumstances like azoospermia.
Is ICSI suitable for me?
Azoospermia was once considered an unsolvable problem as healthy semen requires millions of sperm for natural pregnancy or IVF. However, ICSI provides hope for men with low sperm counts or an absence of sperm. Some men may need additional surgical procedures, such as testicular sperm aspiration (TESA), to extract the sperm needed for creating embryos. With prepared, healthy sperm available, the fertility team can proceed with ICSI. Men with difficulty conceiving should seek medical advice immediately. If the result is azoospermia, learn about ICSI, any risks, and the fantastic benefits before proceeding.
