What is Azoospermia?
Azoospermia is the medical term for when a man has no detectable sperm in his ejaculate sample. It affects approximately 1% of all men and up to 15% of men with fertility challenges.
At Uyir Fertility, a systematic evaluation (hormone testing, physical examination, genetic screening) determines whether active sperm production exists within the testes even if none appears in the ejaculate sample.
Two Main Types of Azoospermia
Obstructive Azoospermia (OA)
Sperm is produced normally in the testes, but a physical blockage prevents sperm from exiting. Sperm retrieval success rate is extremely high (95%+).
Non-Obstructive Azoospermia (NOA)
Sperm production within the testes is severely reduced due to hormonal or genetic causes. Micro-TESE surgical retrieval can locate isolated active tubules.
Advanced Sperm Retrieval Techniques
PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Aspiration)
Minimally invasive fine-needle aspiration of sperm from the epididymis. Ideal for obstructive azoospermia.
TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration)
Needle biopsy directly from testicular tissue to extract sperm cells for immediate or frozen ICSI use.
Micro-TESE (Microsurgical TESE)
Advanced operating microscope technique examining testicular tubules to find active sperm production zones in NOA.