Cryptozoospermia - what is it and how to treat a man's disease?

In medicine, there are several types of diseases that affect the quality of semen. Cryptozoospermia is one of them. This is a pathological condition in which the number of living sperm is critically small. If untreated, there is a high likelihood of complete infertility that does not respond to therapy.

What is cryptozoospermia?

According to statistics, about 40% of men of reproductive age suffer from cryptozoospermia. With this disease, the sperm count is less than 20 million per milliliter of fluid, which is considered the lower limit of the norm.

The main problem associated with cryptozoospermia is infertility. Naturally, a partner's pregnancy is almost impossible without proper treatment from the man. Modern advances in medicine make it possible to cope with pathology with the help of medicines or surgery.

At an early stage in the development of cryptozoospermia, fertility is maintained, so there is a chance of conception. However, without treatment, sperm count gradually decreases and fertility declines.

There are many reasons for changing the sperm count, therefore, before starting treatment, a comprehensive examination is required, and therapeutic tactics are aimed directly at eliminating the negative factor.

Causes of occurrence

The following causes of cryptozoospermia are distinguished:

• Diseases of a hereditary or genetic nature;
• Abnormal structure or pathological development of the organs of the reproductive system;
• Acute or chronic infections;
• Sexually transmitted diseases;
• Disorders of the genitourinary system;
• Pig caused by orchitis in childhood;
• Varicocele;
• Circulatory disorders of the scrotum;
• Autoimmune pathologies;
• Irradiation;
• Hormonal disorders;
• Genital trauma;
• Consequence of unsuccessful operations;
• Damage to the brain or spinal cord;
• Poisoning by toxic substances, in particular heavy metals;
• Unstable psychological background;
• Long-term treatment with drugs for coronary heart disease or hypertension.

Also, all bad habits can lead to cryptozoospermia. In addition, some of the factors that trigger the disease are not yet fully understood.

External reasons include:

• Errors in diet leading to obesity;
• Sedentary lifestyle;
• Physical overload;
• Use of synthetic underwear, too tight panties;
• Abstinence;
• Excessive sexual contact;
• Overheating of the genitals.

Doctors strongly recommend contacting a doctor and starting treatment after several unsuccessful pregnancy attempts. With the transition of cryptozoospermia to the second stage, the sperm count becomes critically small.

Symptoms and signs

The specificity of cryptozoospermia is the absence of negative symptoms or pain. Before unsuccessful attempts to conceive a child, a man does not even know about the presence of pathology. Sexual activity is normal, there is no difficulty in achieving an erection.

It is important to regularly undergo diagnostic measures. Without timely detection and adequate treatment, the disease goes into an advanced stage and leads to absolute infertility.

Given that there are many factors preventing a couple from becoming parents, a comprehensive examination is required to diagnose cryptozoospermia. It includes:

• Spermogram;
• Clinical analyzes of urine and blood;
• A blood test to detect sexually transmitted infections or autoimmune diseases;
• Sowing for the determination of microflora;
• Examination of the state of hormonal background;
• ultrasound;
• Laboratory examination of ejaculate;
• In some cases, biopsy.

Spermogram is the main type of research for suspected cryptozoospermia. Because of this, it is important to undergo examination in a proven clinic equipped with the necessary equipment to minimize errors in the results.

Preparing for the delivery of semen for analysis includes the following measures:

• Complete sexual rest, including refusal to masturbate, for 3 days before the procedure;
• Elimination of toxic substances, drugs and alcoholic beverages;
• Suspension of drug therapy, except for drugs required to maintain life;
• Refusal to visit the solarium, beach, sauna, hot bath.

Spemogram is performed 2 times with an interval of several days. On the basis of primary and secondary results, a referral may be issued for consultation with:

• Surgeon;
• Infectionist;
• Phlebologist;
• Urologist.

Therapeutic tactic that allows you to fully cure the disease, is selected only on the basis of the entire array of the data obtained.

Cryptozoospermia treatment: Methods and means

Cryptozoospermia treatment is carried out conservatively or surgically. Methods are selected based on the survey data and, provided that the form of no gone can be cured.

Conservative tactics involves the reception of drugs. It is shown in situations where cryptozoospermia is caused by venereal infections or chronic inflammatory processes of the urogenital system. Appointed the following types of drugs:

• anti-inflammatory means;
• external drugs;
• antibiotics;
• Immunomodulators.

Additionally recommended:

• physiotherapy;
• Medical Physical Culture;
• Folk remedies aimed at general strengthening the body and eliminate inflammatory processes.

The drug complex is appointed only by a doctor. Independent treatment can aggravate the situation. The use of folk medicine is permissible when approving a urologist and exclusively as an auxiliary measure that improves physical condition.

Surgical intervention is shown if cryptozoospermia is caused:

• anomalous structure of genital organs;
• benign tumors;
• cystic formations;
• varicocele.

After elimination of pathologies, restoration time is required. Next, you need to wait for the approval of a medical specialist at the beginning of conception attempts.

Is pregnancy with this disease possible?

If, in the presence of the diagnosis of "cryptozoospermia", the treatment was started in a timely manner, then after the therapeutic course or operation, the number of spermatozoa gradually increases to the norm, and the pregnancy becomes possible.

Without treatment, the natural conception is almost impossible: the rapidly declining number of sperms cannot overcome the acidic environment of the female vagina

In situations where treatment of cryptozoospermia did not give results, doctors recommend an alternative way of conception. If there are at least a few viable spermatozoa in tests, pregnancy is possible with the help of Eco and Ixi programs. Sperm is obtained using puncture or biopsy and introduce them to an egg. According to the reviews of patients and comments by doctors, the probability of conception from the first attempt is 40%.

Additional advantage of extracorporeal fertilization during cryptozospermia or other similar pathologies - the elimination of the likelihood of the birth of a baby having genetic anomalies. Some clinics that use the latest research data are offered even to choose the floor of the future child.

However, this procedure significantly increases the possibility of multiple pregnancy. For some couples, this is a drawback, but for most birth twins or triple - a huge joy.

Prevention

Minimize the risk of cryptozoospermia can be started to carry out prevention from childhood. In the first years, control over the implementation of the necessary procedures falls on parents.

Disease Prevention Measures:

• Annual examinations of the doctor;
• visit urologist from adolescent age;
• compliance with intimate hygiene rules;
• Choosing healthy and useful products;
• ignoring tobacco and narcotic drugs;
• Use of good quality alcohol drinks and in moderate quantities;
• Giving sexual life using barrier contraceptives;
• Regular exercise;
• Compliance with healthy periodicity in intimate life;
• Reception of vitamin and mineral complexes after harmonizing the selected drugs with a doctor;
• Minimizing stress and nervous shocks.

These measures will not only help prevent the development of cryptozoospermia, but also provide general male health, high vitality and psychological sustainability to old years.