If you and your partner are trying to conceive but having trouble, your Austin area urologist may recommend a semen analysis, a diagnostic tool that is helpful in evaluating male fertility potential. The term azoospermia is used when no sperm is found in the ejaculate.

When the initial semen analysis shows no sperm, we may ask you to repeat the analysis with a special protocol that allows for a closer examination of the specimen. If the second test still reveals no sperm present, your physician will probably recommend a blood test to examine your chromosomes and determine the best recommendation on how to obtain sperm.

How can pregnancy occur without sperm?

Although the semen analysis in Austin, Texas may show no sperm, the testicles are often producing sperm, which can be extracted using Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE). As well, sperm can also be harvested from the epididymus in a procedure known as Microscopic Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA). With these outpatient surgical procedures, your doctor will retrieve the sperm, and it can be placed directly into the egg in the embryology laboratory, or frozen for future during in-vitro fertilization (IVF) with ICSI. These advanced procedures are very effective in helping couples with severe male factor infertility who have non-obstructive azoospermia.

Before making a recommendation, your urologist in Austin will closely evaluate your situation, using physical examination and semen analysis, as well as chromosome analysis to determine the best option. Trying to conceive can be difficult, and we will work closely with you to minimize the stress and guide you through the decision-making process. Even if the initial semen analysis found no sperm, our physicians can offer solutions to maximize your fertility potential and retrieve sperm.

For more information on Male Infertility,  please visit http://www.urologyaustin.com/.