Azoospermia (absence of sperm in semen) can be a difficult and stressful diagnosis. But at Penn Medicine, we have successfully helped many men with azoospermia have a biological child.
We are proud of the close partnership between Penn Fertility Care and our Reproductive Urology Center. This combined team of experts provides the most advanced azoospermia care available.
What Is Azoospermia?
Azoospermia means that a person's semen doesn't contain any viable sperm that can reach and fertilize an egg. There are two types of azoospermia:
- Obstructive azoospermia: An obstruction (blockage) in the testicle's duct system can prevent sperm from mixing with semen. When it can't reach the semen, the sperm doesn't come out during ejaculation. These blockages may be present in the vas deferens or epididymis, which are tubes that transport sperm. You may be born with obstructive azoospermia (congenital obstructive azoospermia), or you may develop it later (acquired obstructive azoospermia).
- Non-obstructive azoospermia: Some men may have hormonal, genetic, medication-related or health conditions that interfere with sperm production in the testicles. With non-obstructive azoospermia, the ducts are not blocked, but sperm is not being produced or viable.
Can Azoospermia Be Treated?
Doctors can treat many cases of azoospermia, but treatment depends on the cause. If azoospermia is related to a hormonal imbalance, doctors may be able to correct the hormone imbalance with medications. In some cases, doctors can clear the blockage that prevents sperm from coming out during ejaculation. Varicoceles can interfere with sperm production in some men, so we also offer varicocele treatment.
Sometimes, however, azoospermia doesn't respond to these treatments. In these cases, we use specialized fertility treatments to retrieve sperm directly from the testicles (organs that make sperm).
Fertility Treatments for People with Azoospermia
Azoospermia doesn't have to mean the end of your hopes of having a family. New, advanced techniques can help many people with azoospermia have a biological child. Our leading-edge fertility treatments include:
- Microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (microTESE)
- Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA)
- Testicular sperm extraction (TESE)
With any of these procedures, our doctors can freeze surgically retrieved sperm for your future use. Learn more about our services for sperm banking. We can also perform these services as part of coordinated IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatment.
Microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (microTESE)
Our trained microsurgeon performs microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (microTESE). MicroTESE has a high rate of success in retrieving sperm in men with a sperm production issue (non-obstructive azoospermia). It also helps lower the risk of damage to the testes (organs that produce sperm and hormones).
Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA)
PESA is a procedure for people with obstructive azoospermia. Successful PESA collects enough sperm to fertilize multiple eggs and plenty of sperm for future use. PESA is less expensive than other infertility procedures, and most people have a quick recovery.
Testicular sperm extraction (TESE)
With TESE, doctors retrieve sperm through a special testicular biopsy (tissue sample). The testicular biopsy is a minor outpatient surgical procedure.
Advanced Azoospermia Treatment at Penn: The Penn Medicine Advantage
Our azoospermia care is among the best in the nation. You benefit from:
- Carefully synchronized fertility care: Our azoospermia specialist works directly with our embryologists and female fertility specialists. Your sperm retrieval and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) can be coordinated to happen on the same day if desired.
- Full range of treatments: We provide medical, hormonal and surgical treatments for azoospermia. You have access to every available treatment, including the most advanced procedures in the world.
Make an Appointment
Call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.