Troubles conceiving and wondering if the sperm motility may be the reason? You’re not alone, and there is an option for you. Asthenozoospermia is a common reason for infertility in males; it sounds frightening, but there are effective solutions with medical advancement today. From lifestyle modification and cutting-edge fertility treatment options, this blog will guide you through everything you need to know. If you are now ready to take charge of your fertility journey, then read A Path to Parenthood might just begin here.
What is Asthenozoospermia?
Asthenozoospermia is a kind of male infertility wherein the man produces sperm with low motility. Sperm motility is an essential aspect of male fertility because it determines whether the sperm can land on and fertilise the egg.
Asthenozoospermia may interfere with the production of cellular energy, responsible for sperm motility, thereby really disallowing conception. This condition is pronounced in men with kidney diseases, cystic fibrosis, and other genetic abnormalities.
Causes of Asthenozoospermia
Inflammation
Men with inflammatory disease in the sperm duct, prostate gland or any other reproductive organ can cause low sperm motility. These diseases consist of microorganisms that directly affect sperm count and motility.
Varicocele
It is a condition where the veins of the scrotum get enlarged, thereby causing asthenozoospermia. This is one of the major causes of asthenozoospermia among men.
Abnormal Semen Liquefaction
It is a condition where the spaces inside the sperm get duct and obstruct the movements and activity of the sperm.
Abnormal Chromosomes
When there are abnormalities in the sex chromosomes, it can affect the sperm count and motility, making it a major reason for male infertility.
Immunological Components
Many antibodies can hinder the movement of sperm, and studies have shown that the presence of anti-sperm antibodies around the tails of the sperm can hinder the motility and stop them from fertilising the egg.
Lifestyle Factors
Having an unhealthy lifestyle and diet can be one of the major reasons for low sperm motility. Lifestyle habits such as smoking, consuming alcohol, lack of exercise, unhealthy diet, or usage of drugs can lower the testosterone levels.
What are the Symptoms of Asthenozoospermia?
Generally, asthenozoospermia itself is asymptomatic, showing no noticeable symptoms. The most noteworthy symptom is an inability to impregnate a woman despite having regular and unprotected intercourse. However, it can be identified using some diagnostic tests as part of fertility evaluation.
How is Asthenozoospermia Diagnosed?
Semen Analysis
This is the most important diagnostic test for asthenozoospermia. Semen analysis explores things such as concentration, motility, morphology, and total health of the sperm. Regarding motility, some sperm move forward logically and are called progressive motility; some move but without forward movement, and they are non-progressively motile, while the others do not move at all and are immotile.
Blood Test
Blood tests detect endocrine imbalances that might explain low sperm motility. They could also test for infections, genetic disorders, etc.
Does Asthenozoospermia Affect Fertility?
Yes, asthenozoospermia lowers the chances of natural conception, especially when sperm motility is drastically decreased. Many men with this condition, however, can make the transition to fatherhood through either lifestyle modification, medical therapies, or assisted reproductive technology.
Medical Treatments and Supplements
A doctor may prescribe drugs to treat an infection, reduce inflammation, or treat a hormonal imbalance. Other cases involve the use of antibiotics or corticosteroids to improve sperm quality.
- Lifestyle Changes: The promotion of a healthy lifestyle is often highly emphasised first. Recommended lifestyle changes include cessation of smoking and alcohol, reduction of stress, good diet (foods rich in zinc, selenium, and vitamins C and E), regular physical exercise, and avoidance of hot baths and saunas.
- Antioxidant Supplementation: Oxidative stress is the major cause of sperm motility dysfunction. Taking antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, or L-carnitine would help cement protective barriers against damage and improve motility.
- Treatment of Infections: When bacterial or viral infections are present, treatment with a targeted antibiotic or antiviral often helps restore sperm function to normal.
- Surgical Treatment: Varicocelectomy can be meaningful in improving sperm motility and overall fertility potential in varicocele.
- Hormonal Therapy: Hormonal imbalance would indicate hormone therapy (HCG or clomiphene citrate) to stimulate sperm production and increase motility.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is one of the simpler ART procedures. Male Partner has his sperm collected; these are “washed” to remove any that are non-motile or exhibit very weak motility, and the most motile sperm are selected. The selected sperm are inserted directly into the female partner’s uterus, around ovulation time, reducing the distance the sperm must travel to reach the egg. This renders fertilisation more likely if the sperm motility is mildly compromised. It is thus usually recommended as the initial treatment option for mild-to-moderate asthenozoospermia.
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
The In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) procedure has become fairly advanced. Eggs are retrieved from a woman, combined with sperm in the laboratory, and the resulting fertilised egg(s) termed embryos, are pre-embryos for a few days before transfer into the uterus. IVF bypasses natural conception events, including sperm travelling through fallopian tubes, which in cases of poor sperm motility is useful. IVF may be the best option for those men with moderate motility problems, assuming the sperm can still penetrate an egg to some degree.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a special type of IVF and the best ART for severe forms of Asthenozoospermia. In ICSI, one single healthy sperm cell is selected and is directly injected into the cytoplasm of the oocyte through a very thin microneedle; thus, sperm motility or penetration ability is bypassed.
Conclusion
Asthenozoospermia is a difficult diagnosis to get, but it does not preclude parenthood. An accurate diagnosis, accompanied by a concerted effort toward lifestyle modifications, medical therapies, and assisted reproductive technology, can help many men with low sperm motility to father children. Discuss your infertility problems with a fertility doctor. Maintain an open mind about the options you can both take and invest in a treatment plan that works for you and your partner.
FAQs
In mild circumstances similar to those listed in reversals of idiopathic low motility, lifestyle modifications can enhance sperm motility. In moderate to severe cases, however, medical verbalised treatment and assisted reproduction may be required.
No, asthenozoospermia does not mean total infertility. It certainly lowers the chances for a natural conception; however, so many men with this condition may be able to father children through lifestyle improvements, medical treatments, or assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), in-vitro fertilization (IVF), or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ISCI).
For the diagnosis of asthenozoospermia, a semen analysis is required, measuring motility, count, and quality of sperm. The test is done after 2–5 days of abstinence, and if needed, it may be repeated before the final diagnosis.
