Necrospermia - what is this disease and how can a man treat it?

A man's ability to conceive depends on the normal state of the seminal fluid. Any disturbance reduces fertility and sperm viability. In medicine, there is the concept of necrospermia, which means a high concentration of dead sperm.

Necrospermia: what is it?

The liquid base of male sperm consists of secretion and germ cells. During orgasm, it is excreted through the vas deferens. In the presence of infection or other pathological factors, diseases occur that affect the male reproductive system.

The main danger for men is:

• Microbial-producing substances;
• Change in acidic environment;
• Absorption of nutrients by pathogenic organisms.

These factors create conditions in which spermatozoa cannot exist and die. This condition is called "necrospermia" in medicine.

The disease is divided into several stages. Criterion: the degree of deterioration of the composition of the semen:

• Reversible. This form is treatable with pharmaceutical drugs and lifestyle changes;
• Irreversible. There are no living sex cells in the seminal fluid;
• Partial. It is diagnosed at 20% or less viable sperm. Corrected by surgery or medication;
• False. It is recorded when sperm in a biomaterial sample died after sperm collection as a result of improper storage or transportation;
• True. Set when the results of several studies are the same.

Reasons

Doctors identify the following causes of necrospermia:

• Infections and inflammatory processes in the organs of the genitourinary system;
• Diseases of the prostate gland;
• Inflammation of the testicles;
• Disorders of semen production;
• Malignant formations;
• Sexually transmitted diseases;
• Cryptorchidism;
• Endocrine pathologies that cause disruption of hormone synthesis;
• Alcohol, drug, tobacco addiction;
• Chromosomal pathologies;
• Systemic diseases - renal failure, tuberculosis;
• Injury or unsuccessful surgery on the genitals or urinary system;
• Acquired abnormal changes in the structure of the genitals;
• Ischemic disorders;
• Genetic disorders;
• Obesity and unhealthy eating habits;
• Medication, hormonal surplus;
• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy;
• Prolonged sexual abstinence;
• Emotional overload leading to regular breakdowns;
• Intoxication of the body, including chemicals used in the cultivation of vegetables and fruits;
• Systematic exposure to radiation in professional activities;
• Varicocele.

In 20% of cases, the prerequisites for the onset of the disease remain unclear.

Diagnosis: Symptoms and Signs

The disease has no pronounced clinical symptoms. It does not affect sexual performance, libido or erectile function. Pathology can be assumed only on the basis of a long-term impossibility of conceiving a child.

However, necrospermia against the background of infectious and inflammatory diseases can be accompanied by unpleasant symptoms, however, it is important to know that this symptomatology refers to the underlying disease, and not to a change in the composition of the sperm.

Diseases of the urea system can be recognized by the following negative factors:

• Discharge from the urethral canal;
• Itching and burning in the genitals;
• Deterioration of sexual function;
• Ejaculation disorder;
• Soreness of testicles and perineum;
• Discomfort in the lower abdomen.

In some cases, additional functional diagnostic methods are assigned. Their choice is determined by the current state of health of the patients.

In the presence of such signs, a doctor should be consulted immediately: an untreated disease is highly likely to cause necrospermia as a complication. In particular, chronic prostatitis provokes the following negative changes:

• Tissue obstruction slows down the movement of sperm, making them longer exposed to toxic products secreted by bacterial agents;
• The prostate gland produces less secretion that stimulates sperm. The consequence is a decrease in the motor activity of cells or their death.

The basis for the diagnosis of pathology is spermogram. This analysis helps to assess the degree of mobility and viability of germ cells, as well as the quality of the semen. The data are considered reliable on multiple re-analyzes.

Necrospermia is diagnosed with the following indicators:

• 40% of sperm cells retained viability;
• Only 5% have normal activity;
• 20% or less show mobility.

For more information about the health status of men are appointed:

• A blood test that detects blood levels of several types of hormones;
• Ultrasound examination;
• Doppler;
• Biochemical blood test;
• Genetic testing;
• Mar-test;
• Immunological examination;
• Antisperm antibody research;
• Testing for the presence of genital infections;
• Magnetic resonance therapy.

Treatment of necrospermia in men

The most effective therapy depends on identifying the exact reasons for the diagnosis of necrospermia. Treatment is aimed at eliminating the factors that caused the death and decreased activity of male germ cells.

Basic therapeutic methods:

• In the presence of an infectious lesion of the genitourinary system, the treatment is based on the use of antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• Disruption of hormonal levels is restored with the help of hormone-based products with a careful selection of the dosage;
• General health promotion and strengthening of immune defense is carried out by changing the principles of nutrition and taking vitamin and mineral complexes. It is especially important to obtain sufficient tocopherol, ascorbic acid, zinc and B vitamins. These substances suppress the negative effects of free radicals, restore local metabolism, and improve the functionality of the testicular epithelium;
• Congestion is eliminated with the help of increased sexual activity, some doctors recommend proximity up to 2 times a day;
• Blood purification is provided by plasmapheresis procedures;
• Obstruction of the vas deferens and vascular defects are removed with surgery.

Additional measures include:

• An introduction to the diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and protein products. Also shown is a complete rejection of coffee, sweets, spicy, fatty, fried foods, smoked meats;
• Regular moderate physical activity - walking and swimming in the pool are especially beneficial;
• Visiting massage procedures;
• Allocation of adequate time for sleep and rest - it is necessary to sleep at least 8 hours;
• Elimination of the possibility of overheating and hypothermia;
• Taking decoctions of sage, calendula, chamomile and St. John's wort - herbs stimulate spermatogenesis and improve hormonal levels.

However, doctors insist on abandoning folk remedies for the treatment of infections and inflammatory processes of the genital organs that caused necrospermia. In this case, pathological processes must be eliminated with the help of drug therapy, which is individually selected by the attending physician based on the clinical picture, the type of bacteria and the general state of health.

If the methods of treatment did not give the desired effect, then the couple still retains the opportunity to be parents. Modern reproductive technologies allow a man to become a father using the following methods:

• Assisted reproductive technologies. The exact method is selected based on a number of analyzes;
• ICSI. One of the forms of IVF, which consists in the introduction of viable sperm cells into the egg. The technique is effective for diagnosed partial necrospermia.

With the complete impossibility of conceiving a child, there is still a way out: you can take an adopted baby from an orphanage. Initially, this decision is extremely difficult from the point of view of psychology, however, later it can become an ideal alternative to the birth of your own child. An additional advantage of this choice is the social aspect - babies deprived of the love of biological parents get the opportunity to find a real family.

Preventive measures

It is possible to prevent the development of necrospermia. To do this, you need to protect yourself from the influence of negative factors.

This is a multifaceted process that includes:

• Taking care of mental and physical health;
• Timely treatment of diseases;
• Strengthening the body with sports and a proper diet;
• Elimination of stress and negative factors that change the emotional background.

Necrospermia today is a fairly common disease, so it is important to take all measures to prevent it, and if the disease has already been diagnosed, then actively treat it, strictly observing medical recommendations.