Some men do not have sperm in their ejaculates, a condition known as azoospermia. Azoospermia can be caused by a blockage, such as after a vasectomy or hernia repair, or as a result of sperm production disorder within the testicle. In either case, it is often possible for the urologist to locate sperm of sufficient quantity and quality to fertilize an egg.
Men with production disorders typically have very few sperm within their testicles. While it is possible to locate this sperm, it is not easy to do so and these men need a type of sperm retrieval procedure called the TESE. TESEs are somewhat invasive surgical procedures, but in men with severe disorders of sperm production, they are the only option for a couple who wants to use the patient's own sperm to reproduce.
The treatment of men with blockages can be much more straightforward. Essentially, the urologist can fix the blockage or the couple can proceed directly to assisted reproduction in the form of in-vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or artificial insemenination (IUI) and the urologist can do a sperm retrieval. In cases of known blockages, the sperm retrieval can often be accomplished under local anesthesia with a small guaged needle and a bandaid.
Here's how it works:
Typically, enough sperm can be found for the IVF cycle and to freeze any extra. Rarely, I can obtain enough sperm for IUI. I do not recommend as a general principle that sperm harvested by a needle approach be used for IUI.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via my website: www.drschoor.com
Men with production disorders typically have very few sperm within their testicles. While it is possible to locate this sperm, it is not easy to do so and these men need a type of sperm retrieval procedure called the TESE. TESEs are somewhat invasive surgical procedures, but in men with severe disorders of sperm production, they are the only option for a couple who wants to use the patient's own sperm to reproduce.
The treatment of men with blockages can be much more straightforward. Essentially, the urologist can fix the blockage or the couple can proceed directly to assisted reproduction in the form of in-vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or artificial insemenination (IUI) and the urologist can do a sperm retrieval. In cases of known blockages, the sperm retrieval can often be accomplished under local anesthesia with a small guaged needle and a bandaid.
Here's how it works:
- I discuss the options, risks, and success rates with you for all the forms of sperm retrievals and recommend the approach that will maximize success and minimize discomfort.
- We then coordinate schedules so that the sperm retrieval is performed on the same day as your wife's egg retrieval.
- Using a small instrument, I can make the entire spermatic cord numb.
- I then pass a small guaged needle into the body and tail of the epididymis and aspirate back while I apply gently pressure to the epididymis.
- When fluid enters the tubing, I withdraw the needle and squirt the fluid into the media, which is then handed off to the embryologist.
Typically, enough sperm can be found for the IVF cycle and to freeze any extra. Rarely, I can obtain enough sperm for IUI. I do not recommend as a general principle that sperm harvested by a needle approach be used for IUI.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via my website: www.drschoor.com
