Male fertility can be affected by five major sperm problems: oligospermia, azoospermia, Klinefelter syndrome, aspermia, and abnormal morphology. Each problem requires different types of treatment, and can be caused by various circumstances such as environmental pollution, genetic defects, infections, or blockages. Treatment options include surgery, medication, and assisted reproduction.
There are five major sperm problems that can affect male fertility. These include oligospermia, azoospermia, Klinefelter syndrome, aspermia and abnormal morphology. Each problem can be the result of various circumstances and requires different types of treatment.
A normal sperm count should be around 20 milliliters (20 cubic centimeters). When the amount of sperm is less than this amount, it is referred to as oligospermia or low sperm count. This is one of several sperm problems that can inhibit male fertility. When sperm counts are low, men may not be able to easily impregnate a woman without the help of male hormones or artificial insemination.
Oligospermia, which also results in a low sperm count, is typically caused by environmental pollution, exposure to X-ray radiation, or high temperatures around the scrotum. It can also be caused by frequent use of alcohol or recreational drugs. Infections can also play a role in causing this type of sperm problem.
Azoospermia is another problem with sperm that men can face; occurs when there are no sperm cells in the semen. While this is rare, it can be serious and result in a total lack of fertility. This type of sperm problem is divided into two categories: blocked and unblocked. If the sperm is blocked, it can occur due to an infection, previous surgery, or a cyst. It can also be caused by a birth defect, in which the vas deferens — the ducts used by the body to send sperm to the urethra — are not present in the body.
Treatment for blocked sperm usually requires surgery or retrieval of the sperm. Sperm salvage and assisted reproduction can be used if the sperm problems aren’t caused by the blockage, but only about half of the men who undergo this type of treatment will have usable sperm. Genetic defects, which are responsible for many cases of azoospermia, are usually impossible to treat.
Klinefelter syndrome also usually results in a complete absence of sperm. In some cases, however, this genetic defect may have a small amount of sperm, but not enough to be considered fertile. This syndrome occurs due to an extra X chromosome. While most men have XY chromosomes, a man with this type of sperm problem will have XXY chromosomes.
Another of the most common sperm problems is aspermia, which means that a man does not produce sperm. This can be caused by what is known as retrograde ejaculation or ejaculatory duct obstruction. Retrograde ejaculation occurs when a man’s semen is directed out through the bladder instead of the urethra. Blockage of the ejaculatory duct is caused by a blockage, such as a cyst or inflammation from an infection, or by a problem around the reproductive system. Certain medications may be used to help treat these conditions, and surgical treatments may also be tried.
When sperm have abnormal morphology, they are not shaped the way they should be, which results in them moving differently than normal sperm. When these types of abnormalities occur, they can cause fertility-related sperm problems because sperm cells are unable to successfully swim through a woman’s cervical mucus. This makes it difficult for the sperm to reach the egg and penetrate it for fertilization.
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