Aspermia Symptoms, Causes, & Impact on Fertility: How do IVF Specialists Treat Aspermia?

Gone are the days when women were held accountable for being unable to conceive. Medical research has proved that male infertility is as common as female infertility. From age to lifestyle choices – there can be many reasons why a man is infertile. There can also be problems like sperm disorders and varicoceles. Another such condition is aspermia which can stand in your way of becoming a parent. So, any individual who is trying to make a baby should know about this, its major symptoms, and how it can be cured.

Aspermia Meaning

If a man cannot ejaculate semen or ejaculates very little semen after enjoying sexual union with his partner, the condition is called aspermia. The other name for it is dry ejaculation.

Aspermia can be of two types: complete and partial. Complete aspermia means when no semen can be found in the ejaculate. Partial aspermia is when there is semen but its volume is very less.

Are Aspermia and Azoospermia the Same?

Many people assume that there is no difference between azoospermia and aspermia. However, these are two different conditions and they both can contribute to infertility in men. According to doctors, azoospermia is more severe than aspermia. If there is zero presence of spermatozoa in multiple semen specimens of a person, the condition is termed azoospermia. Aspermia, on the other hand, is dry ejaculation.

Symptoms of Aspermia

Aspermia’s primary symptom is alarmingly low volume or no presence of semen at the time of ejaculation. Individuals can experience other symptoms like:

• dryness when having an orgasm
• hazy or cloudy urine after intercourse
• reduced volume of semen
• less satisfaction after engaging in coitus
• emotional and mental problems after feeling less pleasure when having sex

What is the Cause of Aspermia?

One can have aspermia due to various reasons that are stated below:

1.      Blockages of the Seminal Ducts: 

Obstructions or blockages in a man’s seminal ducts don’t allow seminal fluid to come out during ejaculation.

2.      Post-Surgical Complications: 

Operations related to the reproductive system or organs surrounding the male reproductive organs can lead to aspermia.

3.      Retrograde Ejaculation: 

If the semen does not get ejaculated out of the body but ends up entering the urinary bladder during an orgasm, the condition is known as retrograde ejaculation.

4.      Certain Medications: 

Aspermia can also be a side effect of some prescribed drugs. A man can become infertile after consuming specific medicines, especially medications that doctors prescribe to treat prostate conditions.

5.      Neurological Disorders: 

Some conditions that affect a person’s nervous system may disrupt the brain signals needed for the seminal fluid’s release during ejaculation.

6.      Inflammation and Infections:

Inflammation or infections in a man’s reproductive system may interfere with the production of semen and ejaculation.

7.      Psychological Factors:

Did you know that factors like anxiety and stress can also be responsible for causing temporary aspermia?

   8.      Congenital Aspermia:

Some people are born with underdeveloped genitalia. The outcome is an inability to produce semen and sperm.

   9.      Hormonal Imbalances:

Due to fluctuations in the levels of male reproductive hormones, a man can suffer from aspermia for a brief period. Androgen deficiency is the biggest reason behind it. This will be resolved if the hormonal balance is restored.

Diagnosing Aspermia

1.      Physical Examination and Medical History

Studying the patient’s medical history and performing a detailed physical examination can help physicians identify potential causes and determine the course of treatment. 

2.      Imaging Studies

When it comes to discovering blockages in the ejaculatory duct, imaging techniques may be helpful. So, your doctor may conduct an ultrasound to detect abnormalities or obstructions in your reproductive system.

3.      Semen Analysis

The main method preferred by doctors to diagnose is collecting seminal fluid to do semen analysis. This diagnostic test is necessary to evaluate the quantity, presence, and quality of sperm and semen. So, semen analysis helps IVF doctors understand the type and severity.

Treatment Options for Aspermia

Now that you know the link between aspermia and male fertility, the next question that comes to mind is: ‘Is there any treatment for aspermia? The answer is yes and these are the ways of treating it:

1.      Fixing the underlying issues

Based on the underlying cause, adjusting medications and treating infections can help resolve or improve aspermia. For instance, for retrograde ejaculation, medicines can be prescribed to shut the urinary bladder’s mouth. Medications, exercising, and eating a balanced diet can also cure hormonal imbalances.

2.      Surgical procedures

TURED (Transurethral Resection of the Ejaculatory Ducts) is a common treatment. This procedure is done to fix any obstruction in the person’s ejaculatory duct.

3.      Sperm retrieval

If medications and dietary changes do not resolve the issue, assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization can come to the rescue. During IVF, doctors remove the sperm surgically and use it to fertilize the mature eggs in a lab. The process of retrieving sperm is called TESE (testicular sperm extraction) and it means collecting the sperm from the testicles.

The Bottom Line

We may conclude by saying that with medications and some lifestyle changes, it is curable. Now that you understand the causes, diagnosis process, and treatment, it will be easy for you to seek medical attention. So, make sure you receive reliable treatment from a well-known fertility clinic to manage the condition.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How to diagnose aspermia?

Aspermia is diagnosed through a combination of medical history evaluation, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Key diagnostic methods include semen analysis to confirm the absence of ejaculation, hormonal testing to check for underlying endocrine issues, and imaging studies like ultrasound to identify structural abnormalities. A thorough patient history and physical exam help in identifying potential causes.

What is the difference between aspermia and azoospermia?

Aspermia and azoospermia are both conditions affecting male fertility, but they differ in their characteristics. Aspermia refers to the complete absence of semen ejaculation. In contrast, azoospermia is a condition where semen is present but contains no sperm.

What is the meaning of aspermia?

Aspermia is a medical condition characterized by the complete absence of semen ejaculation during orgasm. This condition can result from various causes, including hormonal imbalances, blockages in the reproductive tract, or nerve damage. It leads to infertility since there is no semen to carry sperm for fertilization.

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Dr Ritu Agarwal

Dr. Ritu Agarwal is an appreciated IVF expert in Jaipur for IVF therapy, owing to her more than ten years of experience in this field. She is the top IVF specialist in Jaipur who makes every attempt to provide correct counseling and emotional support to patients in order to help them find the ideal solution for becoming parents.