Asthenospermia - what is this disease and how is it treated?

According to statistics, in about 50% of cases, a couple's inability to conceive is due to changes in male sperm towards the so-called infertility. Doctors identify several pathological conditions of semen that greatly reduce fertility. Asthenospermia is one of the varieties characterized by a decrease in the mobility of germ cells.

What is asthenospermia?

The level of fertility directly depends on how mobile the sperm are, as well as on their speed of movement. These factors provide the ability to fertilize a female egg.

Normally, semen should contain 50% or more motile sperm. In this case, a man has every chance of conceiving a child and becoming a happy father. Asthenospermia, also called asthenozoospermia, leads to a significant decrease in the likelihood of fertilization, although it does not completely eliminate it.

According to the latest data, the diagnosis renders infertile only 10% of the male population with reduced sperm motility. In most cases, doctors give positive predictions. With timely diagnosis and subsequent treatment, asthenospermia and pregnancy cease to be mutually exclusive concepts.

Causes of occurrence in men

Currently, the prerequisites for the development of atsenospermia are not fully established. Only in 20% of patients it is possible to accurately identify the reasons that provoked a decrease in the mobility of male germ cells. Basically, this state of affairs is due to the fact that the disease does not have an external clinical picture and the moment when the pathology began to develop is difficult to establish.

Nevertheless, doctors have identified a number of factors that can presumably become disease provocateurs:

• Sexually transmitted diseases;
• Bonding sperm together;
• Exposure to chemical compounds and radiation exposure;
• Genetic Disorders;
• An abnormal change in the total composition of the semen;
• Unsuccessful operations on the organs of the genitourinary system;
• Change in hormonal balance;
• Temperature changes acting directly on the genitals;
• Decreased general immunity;
• Neurotic syndromes;
• Inflammatory processes of internal organs;
• Errors in nutritional principles;
• Constant exposure to stress;
• Autoimmune pathologies;
• Being in a conflict environment;
• Benign and malignant neoplasms;
• Intoxication of the body caused by the abuse of alcohol, tobacco, drugs;
• Wearing overly tight-fitting synthetic underwear;
• Prolonged sexual abstinence;
• Injury and damage to the reproductive organs;
• Exposure to toxic substances and compounds;
• Therapy with certain drugs.

Given such an extensive list of prerequisites, the patient needs to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis before starting therapy.

Diagnosis: Symptoms and Signs

Outwardly, the disease has no manifestations, therefore, it is possible to assume a violation only after unsuccessful attempts to conceive a child for a long time. This factor prompts men to see a doctor, as a result of which a number of diagnostic procedures are prescribed.

The main analysis, with which the diagnosis begins, is a spermogram. The study of the fluid allows you to determine the presence of healthy and abnormal germ cells. Sperm motility is classified as follows:

• Group A. Sperm have the ability to move quickly in a straight line;
• Group B. Spermatozoa retain mobility, but the speed is slightly lower, and the trajectory of movement is a curve;
• Group C. Only tail mobility is observed without displacement in space;
• Group D. Completely static male reproductive cells.

Normally, a man should contain 50% or more of the sperm of the first 2 groups. The presence of 25% of pathological cells is acceptable.

Asthenospermia is diagnosed if less than 42% of spermatozoa of groups A and B were detected. Oligoasthenospermia, characterized by impaired production of seminal fluid, is often simultaneously recorded.

It is imperative to properly collect the semen prior to analysis. The reliability of the result depends on compliance with the recommendations. Basic rules:

• Abstaining from intimacy for 48 hours;
• Ejaculate collection is carried out by masturbation;
• The liquid must be placed in a sterile container.

Condoms are not suitable as containers due to the possible ingestion of additional substances from the lubricant into the biomaterial.In order to obtain the most correct results, a man needs to take sperm for research several times.

Additional diagnostic methods:

• Hormone tests;
• Biochemical / immunological blood tests;
• Ultrasound infection;
• Identification of infections and sexually transmitted diseases;
• Anti-sperm antibody test.

Asthenospermia Treatment

Disease therapy is mainly aimed at "eliminating" pathologies and conditions that caused such a violation as asthenospermia.

Treatment is selected strictly individually based on the following points:

• Lifestyle;
• Having bad habits;
• Nutrition specifics;
• The ratio of leisure time to professional activity.

Taking into account the identified diseases, the doctor recommends:

• Antibiotic therapy in the presence of an infectious lesion;
• Anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the focus of inflammation;
• Immunomodulators to increase the body's natural resistance to pathogens;
• Hormone therapy necessary to restore normal androgen levels;
• Vitamin and mineral complexes to increase the general tone;
• Natural Fertility Supplements;
• Surgery for tumors, hydrocele, varicocele.

Additional measures:

• Inclusion of foods high in antioxidants, selenium, L-carnitine, zinc and folic acid in the daily menu;
• Quitting smoking and excessive alcoholic beverages;
• Daily morning exercises and swimming pool 2-3 times a week;
• Minimizing stressors;
• Sleep at least 8 hours a day.

At the same time, you can resort to a number of folk remedies that allow you to quickly restore the functionality of the body. Such a decision must be approved by the attending physician, otherwise the harm may outweigh the benefit.

The following drugs demonstrate high results:

• Combine dried apricots, prunes and walnut kernels in a glass. Mix 150 g of liquid honey. Eat a few tablespoons half an hour before breakfast. It is acceptable to drink clean water without gas;
• Mix honey and pumpkin seeds in equal parts. Take a tablespoon immediately upon waking up;
• Boil 200 ml each of water and milk. Pour a teaspoon of anise seeds into a thermos, add both liquids and leave overnight. Drink 5 ml in the morning half an hour before meals;
• Rinse a handful of wheat grains, add cool water and leave overnight, covered with a clean cloth. Eat 30 g before breakfast;
• Mash cranberries. Crush the same number of walnut kernels and finely chop 2 green apples. Mix the ingredients, pour in a liter of water and add sugar to taste. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Drink syrup 2 times in the morning and in the evening, 15 ml each;
• Pour 250 ml of milk into a blender bowl, throw in a peeled aloe leaf, a tablespoon of honey and 5 walnuts. Grind and dissolve a little butter in the mixture. Serve a portion on an empty stomach;
• Finely chop 1 lemon, 200 g of raisins, walnuts and dried apricots. Add 50 g of liquid honey. Take in the morning before meals with a little warm water.

In cases where therapeutic methods have failed, IVF can be used for conception. In vitro fertilization refers to the so-called reproductive technologies and is divided into 2 types:

• Routine - the cultivation of the egg and sperm occurs independently in a specialized container;
• ICSI - the most viable germ cell is introduced with the help of a micro-device into the egg.

Prevention

Since asthenospermia is often the result of provoking factors, the main methods of prevention are to prevent or eliminate them. Recommended action:

• Timely diagnosis of infections and their surgical treatment so that they do not acquire a chronic course;
• Minimize exposure to stress;
• Avoid exposure to toxic compounds;
• Have a regular sex life, giving up long abstinence and "sexual marathons";
• Control that the onset of an erection culminates in intimacy;
• Adjust the daily diet by avoiding a lot of "junk" food;
• Regularly do gymnastics, special exercises that improve the functionality of the reproductive organs, swim, walk more.

Asthenospermia is a curable disease, however, in order to completely cope with it, it is important for a man not only to take medications and vitamin supplements, but also to completely reconsider his lifestyle.It is also useful for the unborn child, who will observe a positive example from early childhood.