Fertility issues have been on the rise in recent years. Fertility issues are not only associated with women; men are also affected. Nearly 50% of the couples with fertility problems are due to male fertility issues. Several factors affect male fertility, including Varicocele, infection, ejaculation issues, tumours, Necrozoospermia, hormone imbalances, undescended testicles, defects of tubules that transport sperm, chromosome defects, celiac disease, prior surgeries, environmental causes, health, lifestyle and sperm quality. Necrozoospermia is a male fertility condition where the sperm is dead and has low sperm motility. This leads to problems with the normal fertilisation of eggs. This article throws light on Necrozoospermia's causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Necrozoospermia is a fertility issue affecting males of reproductive age. It reduces the chances of normal fertilisation of eggs. It is an enigmatic condition where the sperm are non-viable as it is dead or non-motile. Sperm motility is an important function that is essential for reaching and penetrating the egg. Men with Necrozoospermia have sperms that are less capable of swimming, inhibiting natural conception. The poor quality of the sperm reduces the chances of egg fertilisation. There are two types of Necrozoospermia
● Complete Necrozoospermia: In this condition, all the sperm are dead or non-motile.
● Partial Necrozoospermia: In this condition, some of the sperms are non-viable and some healthy sperms.
There are no evident symptoms of Necrozoospermia. You may know you suffer from a fertility issue when you're unable to conceive naturally. Semen analysis can help identify the condition.
The following male infertility causes may lead to Necrozoospermia:
● Infections: It is the main cause of Necrozoospermia. Infections in the reproductive tract can lead to Necrozoospermia as it impairs the sperm cells. Inflammation due to infections can reduce sperm quality. Infections, including viral hepatitis, HIV and human papillomavirus, can significantly be the cause of the condition.
● Genetic Abnormalities: Genetic conditions impact sperm function and reduce its viability, leading to Necrozoospermia.
● Testicular Damage: Trauma or injury in the testicles, testicular surgeries or torsion can affect sperm production and reduce its quality, resulting in Necrozoospermia.
● Exposure to Toxins and Chemicals: Men who are exposed to toxins and harmful chemicals can impact sperm products and affect their quality. This leads to Necrozoospermia in men.
● Exposure to Heat: The testicles get heated when men are exposed to excessive heat in the work environment. This affects your sperm production.
● Existing Medical Conditions: Men suffering from autoimmune disorders and diabetes can significantly impact sperm health, resulting in Necrozoospermia.
● Hyperthyroidism: Men with hyperthyroidism have a higher chance of Necrozoospermia.
● Past Medical Treatments: Men who have undergone previous radiation therapy or chemotherapy can impact sperm production.
● Age: Age is a critical factor in this condition. As men age, sperm quality and quantity decrease, increasing the chance of Necrozoospermia. Men aged 35-45 are highly prone to be affected by Necrozoospermia.
● Smoking: This is also a cause of Necrozoospermia in men, affecting sperm quality.
● Idiopathic: In some cases, the actual cause of the condition is unknown.
Necrozoospermia is a condition that impacts men's fertility by affecting sperm health. Sperm is important for fertilising eggs, and the presence of non-viable and non-motile sperm can reduce the chance of natural conception.
A comprehensive semen analysis can help diagnose the condition. It is also called the sperm count test, which offers insight into the concentration, motility and structure of the sperm. If a significant portion of the sperm is non-viable, then it is diagnosed as Necrozoospermia.
Necrozoospermia is a treatable condition, which helps improve sperm function. Male fertility treatments for Necrozoospermia are:
● Treating underlying medical conditions: Treating infections and other medical conditions that cause Necrozoospermia can help improve sperm viability.
● Antibiotics: If infection is the cause of the condition your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for the same.
● Hormonal therapy: This treatment helps in correcting hormonal imbalance that affects your sperm production.
● Surgery: This helps treat varicocele or other obstructions in the reproductive tract.
● Assisted Reproductive Techniques: Treatments like IVF and ICSI help in injecting the most viable sperm into an egg for successful fertilisation.
● Lifestyle Changes: Incorporating simple lifestyle changes can help reduce the effects of Necrozoospermia by improving sperm production. Eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, managing stress and avoiding exposure to toxins are the lifestyle changes you must follow to treat Necrozoospermia.
● Avoid Exposure to Heat: Men with Necrozoospermia must avoid exposure to excessive heat.
Men with Necrozoospermia face trouble in fertilising eggs. This delays pregnancy, resulting in stress and depression. Managing stress can help improve the reproductive health of men.
Improving Mental Health: Men need to manage their mental health. Feeling low can be one of the reasons for failed conception. Manage mental health by joining support groups and practising stress relieving techniques. Professional counselling can help manage your mental health.
Practising Lifestyle Changes: Lifestyle changes like eating a balanced diet and physical exercise can help improve your quality of life and sperm health.
Maintain Healthy Weight: Men with Necrozoospermia must look for ways to maintain an ideal weight.
Necrozoospermia is a common male fertility issue that reduces the chance of egg fertilisation. Consult a fertility specialist who can help diagnose and treat the condition. Treating Necrozoospermia can improve sperm health and increase the chance of egg fertilisation. With recent medical advancements, various treatment options are available to treat the condition. ART is a popular treatment that helps men to increase the chance of egg fertilisation. Simple lifestyle changes can also help treat the condition and aid in natural conception.
There are no explicit symptoms of Necrozoospermia. If you face trouble conceiving, it can be due to some of the fertility issues. It can only be identified by semen analysis.
Yes, it is possible to get pregnant with Necrozoospermia with the help of Assisted Reproductive Technologies like ICSI and IVF. In these procedures, the most viable sperm are used for conception. This increases the chance of conception.
The following simple lifestyle changes can help improve Necrozoospermia.
● Eat a balanced diet: Eat a nutritious and highly balanced diet.
● Staying hydrated: Increase your fluid intake.
● Regular exercise: It is important to stay active to improve your reproductive health.
● Manage Stress: Involve in activities that help to reduce your stress.