Asthenozoospermia: Definition & Diagnosis Method

Asthenozoospermia: Definition & Diagnosis Method

Pregnancy and the birth of a child are generally considered the most wonderful moments in life. Millions of people dream of becoming parents, of giving birth to a child so that it can grow into a happy and fulfilled adult.

Many people want to know the joys of pregnancy, but sometimes it is difficult to conceive a child.

Both partners who wish to procreate must be fertile in order to achieve their goal. There are, however, many disorders that can reduce their chances of conceiving.

According to Extend Fertility (Extendfertility.com), the fertility of individuals mainly depends on their age because the fertility rate gradually decreases over time.

Their report also indicates that women aged 25 have a 25% chance of becoming pregnant during sexual intercourse and that this percentage does not exceed 5% for women aged 40. In vitro fertilization methods do not stimulate fertility and do not prevent it from decreasing with age.

Age, however, is not the only factor that affects fertility. In the past, most people believed that fertility disorders mainly affected women because cases of female infertility were more numerous than cases of male infertility.

An article that was published in the Independent, however, pointed to an unprecedented event several years ago: the male infertility rate was higher than the female infertility rate. These data have therefore prompted specialists to prescribe examinations for both partners in order to identify the problems that prevent them from conceiving.

This article is primarily devoted to disorders that affect male fertility and issues that can prevent men from conceiving. These problems include erectile or sexual problems as they can prevent men from having sex. However, we have decided to focus on a pathology that directly affects sperm quality: Asthenozoospermia (or Asthenospermia).

The probability of conceiving a child depends on the quality of the sperm

Before looking at Asthenozoospermia and the effects of this pathology on male fertility, we will study the function of sperm, sperm production and the various factors that improve the quality of this semen. Most people know that sperm plays a vital role during the reproductive process and that it is impossible to conceive a child without this semen.

During sexual intercourse, semen is emitted into the female genital tract. This semen then travels towards the fallopian tubes to join the egg. This process can take between 45 minutes and 12 hours.

A sperm must then pierce the protective envelope of the egg to enter it, as the experts at Baby Center explain.

This is an extremely complex process and many factors can prevent sperm from reaching the fallopian tubes and effectively fertilizing the egg.

Mayo Clinic experts indicate that three main factors determine the quality of semen and the fertilizing power of sperm. These elements include:

1. The amount of sperm contained in the seminal fluid that is emitted during orgasm. The quality of this semen is optimal when one milliliter of semen emitted during a single orgasm contains at least 15 million spermatozoa.

When the seminal fluid does not contain enough sperm, the chances of conceiving are reduced because fewer candidates are available to fertilize the egg.

1. Sperm viability greatly depends on sperm motility, as this characteristic refers to their ability to move.

Sperm that have good motility can move easily inside the uterus to reach the fallopian tubes. To be considered viable, sperm must contain 40% normal motility sperm.

1. Sperm quality also depends on sperm morphology. This specific characteristic designates the shape of the sperm. When normal, these cells have a long tail and an oval head that allow them to move towards the egg to be fertilized.

Disorders that affect male fertility can harm these qualities and therefore reduce the fertilizing power of sperm because these problems can prevent sperm from reaching the egg and entering it.

What is Asthenozoospermia?

Now that we have studied the role of sperm and the different factors that affect the quality of this semen, we are going to focus on the pathology that we describe in this article: Asthenozoospermia.

Asthenozoospermia is a pathology that affects male fertility. This disorder reduces sperm motility. As we have already specified, motility designates the faculty of movement of these cells and their ability to move in the direction of the ovum which is to be fertilized.

The chances of conceiving a child are greatly diminished when sperm motility is reduced or when seminal fluid contains an insufficient number of sperm.

Asthenozoospermia affects many men who have fertility problems and experts offer a large number of treatments to cure this disorder.

Diagnosis is an essential step in treatment, because the diagnosis of Asthenozoospermia allows specialists to identify the factors that affect the fertility of patients and to offer them effective treatment to improve sperm motility.

When these treatments do not optimize sperm motility, specialists can offer several alternatives to natural fertilization to help couples conceive.

We will now focus on the factors that can cause Asthenozoospermia. We will then describe the possible symptoms that affect men affected by this problem as well as the methods used by doctors to identify this disorder. Finally, we will look at the different treatments that can help men with Asthenozoospermia conceive a child.

What are the factors that can cause Asthenozoospermia?

It is important to find out about the cause(s) of illnesses in order to optimize the treatments used. This information helps patients to identify their symptoms and also helps to prevent the development of certain pathologies.

Specialists easily manage to identify Asthenozoospermia thanks to different symptoms, it is however important to specify that scientists are still studying the different causes of this pathology. Some specific factors have been clearly identified. According to the Bernabeu Institute, the different factors that can cause Asthenozoospermia include:

– Some anti-sperm antibodies that are present inside the male body can reduce sperm motility. – Age greatly affects sperm motility. When a man reaches the age of 45, his sperm motility begins to gradually decrease over time. – Sperm motility is also reduced in case of semen infection. – Vasectomies can also affect sperm motility. – Disorders that affect the testicles can also cause Asthenozoospermia. – Men who are exposed to certain toxins, including certain solvents and chemical fertilizers, are more likely to develop this type of disorder. – Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can also contribute to the development of Asthenozoospermia. It is important to note that some drugs, such as cannabis, have similar effects. – Men who suffer from teratozoospermia, a pathology that affects sperm morphology, are also more likely to suffer from asthenozoospermia. – The motility of spermatozoa is also reduced by the factors that cause an increase in the temperature of the testicles. These factors include the wearing of tight clothing and regular use of saunas.

Can men be alerted by certain visible symptoms?

Common illnesses such as the flu, cancer, arthritis or other pathologies cause the appearance of visible symptoms that allow specialists to easily identify the disorder affecting their patients. The situation is unfortunately more complex when patients suffer from Asthenozoospermia, since this pathology does not cause any apparent symptoms.

Specialists cannot easily identify this disorder. The fertility-related processes that make it possible to conceive a child are quite complex, so doctors have to perform many tests to identify this type of pathology.

The most visible symptom that can indicate a case of Asthenozoospermia is undoubtedly sterility, in this situation the man concerned is unable to impregnate his partner during sexual intercourse.

A large number of factors can affect fertility, so a man can have difficulty impregnating his partner without necessarily suffering from Asthenozoospermia.

Many other pathologies can affect the quality of sperm, so we recommend that men consult a specialist to check whether their infertility is due to Asthenozoospermia or other diseases.

What methods can be used to diagnose Asthenozoospermia?

It is imperative to diagnose Asthenozoospermia before offering treatment to the patient concerned. It is therefore important to consult a doctor to discuss the various problems that can prevent a couple from conceiving a child.

Both partners must undergo certain medical examinations. The first step in the process is usually to identify the individual who has fertility issues within the couple.

This person will have to undergo additional examinations once they have been identified. The results obtained will allow the specialist to identify the pathology that prevents the patient from conceiving a child.

If the fertility problems concern the man within the couple, the latter will have to undergo several medical examinations to identify the diseases that prevent him from conceiving a child.

The doctor usually orders a semen analysis. This examination allows the semen to be observed using a specific microscope. The person in charge of this laboratory examination will have to study the three characteristics of the seed that we mentioned earlier to identify the origin of the problem.

The specialists will determine the number of sperm present in the sample and they will observe their structure. They will also study the motility of these cells. This operation will allow them to determine the percentage of motile sperm in the patient's semen.

According to Babypedia, specialists consider that the patient suffers from Asthenozoospermia if the analysis carried out in the laboratory indicates a percentage lower than 32%. This result means that the number of moving cells in the analyzed semen cell sample is less than 32%.

Is it possible to effectively treat Asthenozoospermia?

Disorders that affect fertility can be worrying, however, there are several treatments that can effectively treat these diseases. However, it is not always possible to improve the fertility of an infertile man.

To treat Asthenozoospermia, it is possible to use several treatments, the choice of which depends on the severity of the disease. And this pathology is very difficult to treat when it is severe. Specialists therefore offer alternative methods of procreation to seriously affected men in order to help them conceive a child.

It is therefore important to carry out a semen analysis in the laboratory to give accurate information to the patient regarding the severity of his disease.

When the pathology is severe and the motility of spermatozoa is extremely reduced, specialists usually decide to offer their patient to resort to alternative methods of reproduction.

Doctors opt for these solutions because it is very difficult to improve sperm motility if the semen contains a reduced number of motile cells. Natural fertilization takes place through the movement of sperm. To help patients with Asthenozoospermia to conceive, it is therefore necessary to use a method that allows sperm to enter the egg without moving.

The different methods that may be offered to help men who produce low motile sperm include:

– Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (also called ICSI) – Classic In-Vitro Fertilization (also called IVF) – Artificial Insemination

The most effective of these methods turns out to be the intra-cytoplasmic injection of spermatozoa. This procedure is particularly reliable because it systematically allows sperm to enter the egg in order to fertilize it.

ICSI also reduces the risk of failure during fertilization. Nowadays, specialists therefore tend to favor this procedure to help couples who are unable to conceive naturally.

We would like to point out that it is also possible to improve sperm motility in some cases of Asthenozoospermia, but the methods used for this purpose will have no effect if the motility of these cells is almost non-existent.

In this type of situation, doctors prescribe treatments that have powerful antioxidant properties. They combine these remedies with dietary supplements that contain a high amount of L-Carnitine. Studies have proven that these two substances effectively improve the motility of spermatozoa and that they also act on patients who are suffering from Asthenozoospermia.

In addition to these treatments, specialists recommend that their patients adopt a healthier lifestyle, eat nutrient-dense foods, avoid foods that are not recommended, and exercise regularly.

What are the prognoses for men who suffer from Asthenozoospermia?

It is important to consider the prognosis, regardless of the type of disease encountered, and many men wonder about the evolution of Asthenozoospermia when the diagnosis has been made.

This disease does not have fatal consequences but it is important to specify that it can be caused by more severe pathologies. Doctors must therefore imperatively identify the causes of Asthenozoospermia before offering treatment to their patient.

The fertility prognosis for men with Asthenozoospermia depends on the severity of the disease. When sperm motility is not too reduced, it is possible to use certain treatments to improve it and help patients conceive a child in a natural way.

When the pathology is much more severe, the specialists can propose alternative methods of procreation, the latter including in particular the intra-cytoplasmic injection of spermatozoid which makes it possible to obtain positive results in most cases.

Tips to prevent the development of Asthenozoospermia

When diagnosed, Asthenozoospermia is a pathology that usually causes great disappointment in men. It is therefore important to follow certain tips to optimize and preserve sperm motility.

The prevention of Asthenozoospermia is the most effective method to optimize male fertility because this pathology greatly reduces the chances of procreation when it develops.

Diet greatly affects sperm quality and male well-being. Studies indicate that certain foods effectively improve sperm motility when consumed on a regular basis.

Natural Health For Fertility & Pregnancy experts recommend consuming many foods that contain the following substances in high amounts:

– Zinc – Selenium – L-Carnitine – Maca root powder and bee pollen also effectively improve sperm motility.

In addition to a healthy diet, it is also recommended to focus on whole foods and foods rich in nutrients. Experts also advise practicing intensive and regular physical activity to improve the motility, quality and number of sperm produced by the body.

Conclusion

Fertility determines the ability to procreate within a couple. Couples encounter many difficulties in conceiving a child and are sometimes even unable to achieve this when the fertility of one or both partners is not optimal.

It is therefore important to learn about the various factors and diseases that can affect a couple's fertility. It is imperative to know the symptoms to look out for and the factors to avoid when trying to conceive in order to reduce the risk of failure.

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