Azoospermia - Know Options That Can Help?

Almost 15-20 million men in India are diagnosed with infertility every year. However, your partner’s infertility does not mean that you cannot have a biological child with him. Due to the advancement of medical science, several forms of treatment are available for men who have low sperm count.

Here is a look at some fertility treatments that can help your husband achieve the ideal sperm count –

1. TESE-
Testicular sperm extraction is a procedure that involves surgical biopsy of the testicles. Doctors extract aspirated fluid from inside the testicles and process it in the lab. This process allows doctors to separate the sperm cells and use them in the form of Intracytoplasmic sperm injections (ICSI).
Men whose infertility is due to a blockage in the testicles are suitable to undergo TESE. It is also suitable for men who are unable to produce sufficient sperm in the body.

2. TESA-
Testicular sperm aspiration or TESA is similar to the TESE procedure. Doctors extract the sperm from the testicles in TESA as well. However, a surgical biopsy is not performed. Here, the doctor uses a needle to extract the aspirated fluid from within the testicles. They then obtain the sperm sample from this fluid and use it for ICSI.
Even though TESA involves a minimally invasive procedure for the extraction of sperm, research indicates that TESE procedures lead to better samples of sperm and aspirated fluid. However, in most cases, anaesthesia is required for the TESE procedure.

3. PESA-
Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration or PESA is another form of extracting aspirated fluid from the testicles. In this procedure, no surgical incision is necessary. Instead, doctors insert a needle into the epididymis head through the skin of the scrotum. The aspirated fluid is drawn out using this needle. Doctors process it in the lab and use the sperm for ICSI.
PESA is highly effective for people suffering from obstructive azoospermia.

How does PESA, TESA and TESE work?
If your partner lacks sperm in his ejaculate, it could be because sperm production is low. However, in some cases, the problem is not the sperm production but the transfer of sperm into the ejaculate (semen). A blockage can prevent the sperm from forming in semen. TESE, TESA and PESA extract the sperm from the testicles and inject it into an egg for fertilization, thereby nullifying the effects of the blockage.
Consult your doctor to understand which procedure is suitable for your partner. Undergoing these treatments may help you get pregnant.