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Decrease in Semen: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Home Remedies

by alexxlab

What are the symptoms of decreased semen volume? What causes a decrease in semen production? How can weak ejaculation be treated or managed at home?

Symptoms of Decreased Semen Volume

The primary symptom of decreased semen volume is weaker or less forceful ejaculation. You may notice that the amount of semen released during orgasm is noticeably less than it used to be. This can lead to a less satisfying sexual experience. However, it’s important to note that the intensity of orgasm can vary from person to person, and a decrease in semen volume may not always correlate with a less pleasurable orgasm.

Causes of Decreased Semen Volume

There are several potential causes of decreased semen volume, including:

  • Age-related muscle weakening: As you get older, the muscles that control ejaculation can weaken, leading to a less forceful ejaculation.
  • Hormonal changes: Declining levels of male hormones, such as testosterone, can contribute to a decrease in semen production.
  • Retrograde ejaculation: This occurs when semen flows backward into the bladder instead of out through the penis, often due to a problem with the valve between the bladder and urethra.
  • Medications: Certain medications used to treat conditions like prostate enlargement, high blood pressure, and depression can cause a decrease in semen volume.
  • Medical conditions: Conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and cancer treatments can also lead to a decrease in semen production.

Treatment for Decreased Semen Volume

The treatment for decreased semen volume will depend on the underlying cause. Your doctor may recommend the following options:

  • Medication adjustments: If medications are contributing to the problem, your doctor may adjust the dosage or switch to a different medication.
  • Hormone therapy: For men with hormonal imbalances, such as low testosterone, hormone therapy may help increase semen production.
  • Pelvic floor exercises: Strengthening the muscles that control ejaculation through pelvic floor exercises may help improve the force and volume of ejaculation.
  • Treating underlying conditions: If a medical condition is causing the decrease in semen volume, treating the underlying condition may help improve the issue.

Home Remedies for Decreased Semen Volume

While there are no proven home remedies that can directly increase semen volume, there are some lifestyle changes that may help:

  1. Maintain a healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants may support overall reproductive health.
  2. Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help maintain the proper fluid balance for semen production.
  3. Manage stress: High levels of stress can negatively impact sexual function, so finding ways to reduce stress through relaxation techniques or counseling may be helpful.
  4. Avoid certain substances: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and the use of certain recreational drugs can all contribute to a decrease in semen volume.

When to See a Doctor

If you notice a significant and persistent decrease in semen volume, it’s important to see your doctor. They can help determine the underlying cause and recommend the appropriate treatment. Don’t hesitate to discuss any concerns about your sexual health with your healthcare provider. They are there to help you find solutions and maintain a healthy and satisfying sex life.

Preventing Decreased Semen Volume

While some factors that contribute to decreased semen volume, such as age, are out of your control, there are steps you can take to help maintain healthy semen production:

  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Eating a balanced diet, staying active, and managing stress can all help support reproductive health.
  • Avoid harmful substances: Quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and avoid recreational drugs, as these can negatively impact semen quality and production.
  • Discuss medications with your doctor: If you’re taking any medications that may affect semen volume, talk to your doctor about alternative options or adjusting the dosage.
  • Seek treatment for underlying conditions: If you have a medical condition that could be contributing to decreased semen volume, work with your healthcare provider to manage it.

Conclusion

A decrease in semen volume can be a concerning issue, but it’s often a normal part of the aging process or can be caused by a variety of treatable underlying factors. By understanding the symptoms, causes, and available treatment options, you can work with your healthcare provider to address the problem and maintain a healthy and satisfying sex life.

Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Home Remedies

Weak Ejaculation: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Home Remedies

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Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. D. — By Stephanie Watson — Updated on February 24, 2023

If you’re experiencing problems with ejaculation, age is a likely culprit. Seeing your doctor for diagnosis and treatment can help.

What is weak ejaculation?

If you don’t ejaculate with as much force as you used to, it’s likely because you’re growing older. Just as age weakens your muscles and changes your eyesight, it can reduce both the strength and volume of your ejaculation.

Every ejaculation releases semen from your body through your penis. The process happens in two stages:

  • During the first stage, called emission, semen (sperm-containing fluid) collects in the urethral bulb at the base of your penis.
  • During the second stage, called expulsion, muscles around your urethra squeeze to push the semen out through your penis.

A problem in the first stage of this process can reduce the amount of semen you ejaculate. A problem with the second stage can reduce the force with which semen is expelled.

Weak ejaculation is largely subjective, meaning it’s often noticed by the person. Orgasm intensity varies from man to man. Though ejaculation may feel weaker than normal to you, it may not be a problem unless it impacts your enjoyment of sex. A weaker orgasm may not feel as satisfying as a stronger one.

A bigger issue is if you ejaculate less fluid or sperm. This can be a problem if you plan to have children. Other common age-related problems are trouble getting an erection (erectile dysfunction) or having an orgasm (anorgasmia).

Sexual problems can be hard to discuss, even with your doctor. Yet being open about what’s happening can help you find a solution and prevent weak ejaculation from affecting your sex life.

Any condition that affects the muscles and nerves controlling ejaculation can lead to a weaker-than-normal orgasm.

Weakened pelvic muscles

Age takes its toll on the muscles that push semen out of your body. When these muscles weaken, the force of your ejaculation can decline.

Low hormone levels

A satisfying sex life relies on male hormones called androgens. As you get older, levels of these hormones decline. A significant drop in levels can lead to weaker orgasms.

Retrograde ejaculation

Each time you ejaculate, semen travels down your urethra and out through your penis. A valve acts like a gate between your bladder and urethra. It prevents semen from getting into your bladder.

If this valve stays open, semen can travel back into your bladder instead of flowing out of your penis. This condition is called retrograde ejaculation. Your orgasms may be weak or completely dry.

Causes of retrograde ejaculation include:

  • surgery to treat prostate or testicular cancer, an enlarged prostate gland, or a weak urine stream
  • drugs used to treat prostate enlargement, high blood pressure, and depression
  • nerve damage caused by diseases like multiple sclerosis or diabetes
  • spinal cord injury

Perceived ejaculate volume reduction (PEVR) means you release less semen than you once did. PEVR is a common type of ejaculatory dysfunction in men.

PEVR can be a side effect of treatment for cancer and other conditions. Or it may be a sign of a problem with male hormone production. PEVR typically occurs alongside other problems with ejaculation and erection.

Low ejaculate volume has been linked to these conditions:

  • radiation of the prostate gland for cancer
  • medications used to treat an enlarged prostate gland, high blood pressure, and depression
  • diabetes
  • problem with the testes that leads to low or no male hormone production

How your doctor treats weak ejaculation depends on what caused it. A few drugs can help treat retrograde ejaculation by keeping your bladder closed while you ejaculate. These can include:

  • brompheniramine (Veltane)
  • chlorpheneriamine (Chlor-Trimeton)
  • ephedrine (Akovaz)
  • pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
  • imipramine (Tofranil)
  • midodrine (ProAmatine, Orvaten)

If an alpha blocker or other drug you’re taking causes weak ejaculation, ask your doctor if you can switch to another medication. If you have diabetes, getting it under the best control possible can also help.

Home remedies

To strengthen the muscles that help you ejaculate, you can try Kegel exercises. During these exercises, you squeeze and release the muscles you use to control urination. One small study showed an improvement in premature ejaculation following 12 weeks of pelvic floor muscle training, including Kegel exercises.

Supplements

A few supplements have been promoted for treating weak ejaculation. However, there’s no evidence these products work. And because many herbal supplements can cause side effects, don’t take anything without first asking your doctor.

A normal sperm count is between 15 million to more than 200 million sperm in each milliliter (ml) of semen. Your doctor will diagnose you with a low sperm count if you have less than 15 million sperm per ml of semen, or you release less than 39 million sperm each time you ejaculate.

Having a low sperm count can reduce your odds of conceiving a child. Here are a few tips to help boost your sperm count.

  • Get 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night. Research finds that men who get too little or too much sleep, or who go to bed late, have lower sperm counts and less healthy sperm than those who routinely get enough sleep.
  • Exercise — but not too intensely. Being overweight can reduce both the quantity and quality of your sperm. Exercise may improve semen quality by altering hormone levels. Just limit long-term intense physical training, which may actually reduce your sperm count and quality.
  • Don’t smoke. In addition to causing cancer and heart disease, smoking affects sperm counts and quality. Talk to your doctor about a smoking cessation program, or consider using an app to help you quit for good.
  • Get more antioxidants like vitamins C and E, selenium, and lycopene in your diet. These natural plant substances may protect cells — including sperm — from damage. In one study, higher levels of antioxidants in semen were found in men who had higher sperm counts.
  • Eat fewer trans fats. High levels of these unhealthy fats, which are often found in fried foods and unhealthy baked goods, have been linked to a lower sperm count.

If these methods don’t work, a doctor may prescribe medication to help increase your sperm count. A variety of hormonal treatments like clomiphene citrate (Serophene) and follitropin alfa lyophilisate (Gonal-f) may be used to treat this problem.

However, while many of these treatments are approved for women, use by men is considered “off-label.” That is, although they may be effective for the treatment of male infertility, these medications aren’t approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this use. If your doctor recommends off-label use of one of these medications, it’s important to take that medication under their supervision. Learn more about off-label medication use.

It can be difficult to talk about sexual problems with your doctor. But only by having this conversation can you get help with ejaculation issues.

See your doctor if:

  • Your ejaculations are weak or contain less fluid than usual.
  • You can’t get an erection.
  • You have pain during or after sex.
  • There’s blood in your semen.
  • Your urine is cloudy after you orgasm.

Problems with ejaculation are common in men, particularly as they age. If your sexual function has changed in any way, see a doctor for proper evaluation and treatment.

Last medically reviewed on May 1, 2018

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

  • Alwaal A. (2015). Normal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation. Fertility and Sterility.DOI:  
    10.1016/j.fertnstert. 2015.08.033
  • Ask the doctor: Weak ejaculation: Cause for worry? (2014).
    health.harvard.edu/mens-health/ask-the-doctor-weak-ejaculation-cause-for-worry
  • Cancer can affect a man’s ability to ejaculate. (2017).
    cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/fertility-and-sexual-side-effects/sexuality-for-men-with-cancer/ejaculation-and-treatment.html
  • Chavarro JE. (2014). Trans fatty acid intake is inversely related to total sperm count in young healthy men. DOI:
    10.1093/humrep/det464
  • Chudnovsky A. (2013). Copious pre-ejaculation: Small glands – major headaches. DOI:
    10.2164/jandrol.107.002576
  • Corona G. (2011). Perceived ejaculate volume reduction in patients with erectile dysfunction: psychobiologic correlates [Abstract]. DOI:
    10.2164/jandrol.110.010397
  • Dabaja AA, et al. (2014). Medical treatment of male infertility. DOI:
    10.3978/j.issn.2223-4683.2014.01.06
  • Diabetes and sexual and urologic problems. (2008).
    niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/sexual-urologic-problems
  • Ducharme S. (n.d.). Ejaculation problems: Too fast, too slow or not at all?
    bumc.bu.edu/sexualmedicine/informationsessions/ejaculation-problems-too-fast-too-slow-or-not-at-all/
  • Esakky P. (2016). Paternal smoking and germ cell death: A mechanistic link to the effects of cigarette smoke on spermatogenesis and possible long-term sequelae in offspring. DOI:
    10.1016/j.mce.2016.07.015
  • Jensen TK. (2013). Association of sleep disturbances with reduced semen quality: A cross-sectional study among 953 healthy young Danish men. DOI:
    10.1093/aje/kws420
  • Jiann B-P. (2016). The office management of ejaculatory disorders. DOI:
    10. 21037/tau.2016.05.07
  • P. (2017). The impact of intense exercise on semen quality. DOI:
    Jóźków10.1177/1557988316669045
  • Killick SR. (2011). Sperm content of pre-ejaculatory fluid. DOI:
    10.3109/14647273.2010.520798
  • Lepor H. (2005). Pathophysiology of lower urinary tract symptoms in the aging male population.
    ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1477625/
  • Liu M-M. (2017). Sleep deprivation and late bedtime impair sperm health through increasing antisperm antibody production: A prospective study of 981 healthy men. DOI:
    10.12659/MSM.900101
  • Mayo Clinic Staff. (2015). Kegel exercises for men: Understand the benefits.
    mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/kegel-exercises-for-men/art-20045074
  • Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016). Retrograde ejaculation.
    mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/retrograde-ejaculation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354890
  • Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Low sperm count.
    mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-sperm-count/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374591
  • Pastore AL, et al. (2014). Pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation for patients with lifelong premature ejaculation: a novel therapeutic approach. DOI:
    10.1177/1756287214523329
  • Rosety MA. (2017). Exercise improved semen quality and reproductive hormone levels in sedentary obese adults. DOI:
    10.20960/nh.549
  • Silberstein T. (2016). Antioxidants and polyphenols: Concentrations and relation to male infertility and treatment success. DOI:
    10.1155/2016/9140925
  • What causes ED? (n.d.).
    urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/causes

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Feb 24, 2023

Written By

Stephanie Watson

Edited By

Kerry Weiss

May 1, 2018

Written By

Stephanie Watson

Edited By

Kerry Weiss

Medically Reviewed By

Judith Marcin, MD

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. D. — By Stephanie Watson — Updated on February 24, 2023

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Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Home Remedies

Weak Ejaculation: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Home Remedies

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Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. D. — By Stephanie Watson — Updated on February 24, 2023

If you’re experiencing problems with ejaculation, age is a likely culprit. Seeing your doctor for diagnosis and treatment can help.

What is weak ejaculation?

If you don’t ejaculate with as much force as you used to, it’s likely because you’re growing older. Just as age weakens your muscles and changes your eyesight, it can reduce both the strength and volume of your ejaculation.

Every ejaculation releases semen from your body through your penis. The process happens in two stages:

  • During the first stage, called emission, semen (sperm-containing fluid) collects in the urethral bulb at the base of your penis.
  • During the second stage, called expulsion, muscles around your urethra squeeze to push the semen out through your penis.

A problem in the first stage of this process can reduce the amount of semen you ejaculate. A problem with the second stage can reduce the force with which semen is expelled.

Weak ejaculation is largely subjective, meaning it’s often noticed by the person. Orgasm intensity varies from man to man. Though ejaculation may feel weaker than normal to you, it may not be a problem unless it impacts your enjoyment of sex. A weaker orgasm may not feel as satisfying as a stronger one.

A bigger issue is if you ejaculate less fluid or sperm. This can be a problem if you plan to have children. Other common age-related problems are trouble getting an erection (erectile dysfunction) or having an orgasm (anorgasmia).

Sexual problems can be hard to discuss, even with your doctor. Yet being open about what’s happening can help you find a solution and prevent weak ejaculation from affecting your sex life.

Any condition that affects the muscles and nerves controlling ejaculation can lead to a weaker-than-normal orgasm.

Weakened pelvic muscles

Age takes its toll on the muscles that push semen out of your body. When these muscles weaken, the force of your ejaculation can decline.

Low hormone levels

A satisfying sex life relies on male hormones called androgens. As you get older, levels of these hormones decline. A significant drop in levels can lead to weaker orgasms.

Retrograde ejaculation

Each time you ejaculate, semen travels down your urethra and out through your penis. A valve acts like a gate between your bladder and urethra. It prevents semen from getting into your bladder.

If this valve stays open, semen can travel back into your bladder instead of flowing out of your penis. This condition is called retrograde ejaculation. Your orgasms may be weak or completely dry.

Causes of retrograde ejaculation include:

  • surgery to treat prostate or testicular cancer, an enlarged prostate gland, or a weak urine stream
  • drugs used to treat prostate enlargement, high blood pressure, and depression
  • nerve damage caused by diseases like multiple sclerosis or diabetes
  • spinal cord injury

Perceived ejaculate volume reduction (PEVR) means you release less semen than you once did. PEVR is a common type of ejaculatory dysfunction in men.

PEVR can be a side effect of treatment for cancer and other conditions. Or it may be a sign of a problem with male hormone production. PEVR typically occurs alongside other problems with ejaculation and erection.

Low ejaculate volume has been linked to these conditions:

  • radiation of the prostate gland for cancer
  • medications used to treat an enlarged prostate gland, high blood pressure, and depression
  • diabetes
  • problem with the testes that leads to low or no male hormone production

How your doctor treats weak ejaculation depends on what caused it. A few drugs can help treat retrograde ejaculation by keeping your bladder closed while you ejaculate. These can include:

  • brompheniramine (Veltane)
  • chlorpheneriamine (Chlor-Trimeton)
  • ephedrine (Akovaz)
  • pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
  • imipramine (Tofranil)
  • midodrine (ProAmatine, Orvaten)

If an alpha blocker or other drug you’re taking causes weak ejaculation, ask your doctor if you can switch to another medication. If you have diabetes, getting it under the best control possible can also help.

Home remedies

To strengthen the muscles that help you ejaculate, you can try Kegel exercises. During these exercises, you squeeze and release the muscles you use to control urination. One small study showed an improvement in premature ejaculation following 12 weeks of pelvic floor muscle training, including Kegel exercises.

Supplements

A few supplements have been promoted for treating weak ejaculation. However, there’s no evidence these products work. And because many herbal supplements can cause side effects, don’t take anything without first asking your doctor.

A normal sperm count is between 15 million to more than 200 million sperm in each milliliter (ml) of semen. Your doctor will diagnose you with a low sperm count if you have less than 15 million sperm per ml of semen, or you release less than 39 million sperm each time you ejaculate.

Having a low sperm count can reduce your odds of conceiving a child. Here are a few tips to help boost your sperm count.

  • Get 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night. Research finds that men who get too little or too much sleep, or who go to bed late, have lower sperm counts and less healthy sperm than those who routinely get enough sleep.
  • Exercise — but not too intensely. Being overweight can reduce both the quantity and quality of your sperm. Exercise may improve semen quality by altering hormone levels. Just limit long-term intense physical training, which may actually reduce your sperm count and quality.
  • Don’t smoke. In addition to causing cancer and heart disease, smoking affects sperm counts and quality. Talk to your doctor about a smoking cessation program, or consider using an app to help you quit for good.
  • Get more antioxidants like vitamins C and E, selenium, and lycopene in your diet. These natural plant substances may protect cells — including sperm — from damage. In one study, higher levels of antioxidants in semen were found in men who had higher sperm counts.
  • Eat fewer trans fats. High levels of these unhealthy fats, which are often found in fried foods and unhealthy baked goods, have been linked to a lower sperm count.

If these methods don’t work, a doctor may prescribe medication to help increase your sperm count. A variety of hormonal treatments like clomiphene citrate (Serophene) and follitropin alfa lyophilisate (Gonal-f) may be used to treat this problem.

However, while many of these treatments are approved for women, use by men is considered “off-label.” That is, although they may be effective for the treatment of male infertility, these medications aren’t approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this use. If your doctor recommends off-label use of one of these medications, it’s important to take that medication under their supervision. Learn more about off-label medication use.

It can be difficult to talk about sexual problems with your doctor. But only by having this conversation can you get help with ejaculation issues.

See your doctor if:

  • Your ejaculations are weak or contain less fluid than usual.
  • You can’t get an erection.
  • You have pain during or after sex.
  • There’s blood in your semen.
  • Your urine is cloudy after you orgasm.

Problems with ejaculation are common in men, particularly as they age. If your sexual function has changed in any way, see a doctor for proper evaluation and treatment.

Last medically reviewed on May 1, 2018

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

  • Alwaal A. (2015). Normal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation. Fertility and Sterility.DOI:  
    10.1016/j.fertnstert. 2015.08.033
  • Ask the doctor: Weak ejaculation: Cause for worry? (2014).
    health.harvard.edu/mens-health/ask-the-doctor-weak-ejaculation-cause-for-worry
  • Cancer can affect a man’s ability to ejaculate. (2017).
    cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/fertility-and-sexual-side-effects/sexuality-for-men-with-cancer/ejaculation-and-treatment.html
  • Chavarro JE. (2014). Trans fatty acid intake is inversely related to total sperm count in young healthy men. DOI:
    10.1093/humrep/det464
  • Chudnovsky A. (2013). Copious pre-ejaculation: Small glands – major headaches. DOI:
    10.2164/jandrol.107.002576
  • Corona G. (2011). Perceived ejaculate volume reduction in patients with erectile dysfunction: psychobiologic correlates [Abstract]. DOI:
    10.2164/jandrol.110.010397
  • Dabaja AA, et al. (2014). Medical treatment of male infertility. DOI:
    10.3978/j.issn.2223-4683.2014.01.06
  • Diabetes and sexual and urologic problems. (2008).
    niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/sexual-urologic-problems
  • Ducharme S. (n.d.). Ejaculation problems: Too fast, too slow or not at all?
    bumc.bu.edu/sexualmedicine/informationsessions/ejaculation-problems-too-fast-too-slow-or-not-at-all/
  • Esakky P. (2016). Paternal smoking and germ cell death: A mechanistic link to the effects of cigarette smoke on spermatogenesis and possible long-term sequelae in offspring. DOI:
    10.1016/j.mce.2016.07.015
  • Jensen TK. (2013). Association of sleep disturbances with reduced semen quality: A cross-sectional study among 953 healthy young Danish men. DOI:
    10.1093/aje/kws420
  • Jiann B-P. (2016). The office management of ejaculatory disorders. DOI:
    10. 21037/tau.2016.05.07
  • P. (2017). The impact of intense exercise on semen quality. DOI:
    Jóźków10.1177/1557988316669045
  • Killick SR. (2011). Sperm content of pre-ejaculatory fluid. DOI:
    10.3109/14647273.2010.520798
  • Lepor H. (2005). Pathophysiology of lower urinary tract symptoms in the aging male population.
    ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1477625/
  • Liu M-M. (2017). Sleep deprivation and late bedtime impair sperm health through increasing antisperm antibody production: A prospective study of 981 healthy men. DOI:
    10.12659/MSM.900101
  • Mayo Clinic Staff. (2015). Kegel exercises for men: Understand the benefits.
    mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/kegel-exercises-for-men/art-20045074
  • Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016). Retrograde ejaculation.
    mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/retrograde-ejaculation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354890
  • Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Low sperm count.
    mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-sperm-count/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374591
  • Pastore AL, et al. (2014). Pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation for patients with lifelong premature ejaculation: a novel therapeutic approach. DOI:
    10.1177/1756287214523329
  • Rosety MA. (2017). Exercise improved semen quality and reproductive hormone levels in sedentary obese adults. DOI:
    10.20960/nh.549
  • Silberstein T. (2016). Antioxidants and polyphenols: Concentrations and relation to male infertility and treatment success. DOI:
    10.1155/2016/9140925
  • What causes ED? (n.d.).
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Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Feb 24, 2023

Written By

Stephanie Watson

Edited By

Kerry Weiss

May 1, 2018

Written By

Stephanie Watson

Edited By

Kerry Weiss

Medically Reviewed By

Judith Marcin, MD

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Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. D. — By Stephanie Watson — Updated on February 24, 2023

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Azoospermia – what is it, types, symptoms, treatment, cost

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Azoospermia

The condition in which there are no spermatozoa in the seminal fluid of a man is one of the most severe abnormalities

More about the pathology

Sperm pathologies often lead to problems with conception – in almost half of the cases of infertility in a couple. Azoospermia – a condition in which there are no spermatozoa in the seminal fluid of a man – is one of the most severe abnormalities. Sperms are not just few, as in oligozoospermia, they are not at all. It is diagnosed in every fifth man with infertility. Natural conception in such a situation is impossible.

20-30 years ago, azoospermia was an insurmountable obstacle to pregnancy. Now such a diagnosis is not a sentence for the reproductive function of men. Treatment methods depend on the type and cause of the pathology.

Benefits of treating azoospermia at Liniya Zhizni

Paternity with this disease has become possible due to relatively recent advances in assisted reproductive technologies. So, in the clinic where you go, new techniques should be introduced. The Life Line Reproduction Center uses several effective methods to overcome the absence of spermatozoa in seminal fluid. We help men with the most difficult anamnesis become fathers!

  • We have everything you need to provide a comprehensive diagnosis and get a detailed description of the features of spermatogenesis in a particular patient
  • The specialists of the center are highly qualified and have extensive practical experience in microsurgery
  • Conception is often impossible without IVF. “Line of Life” among the leaders in terms of the effectiveness of in vitro fertilization programs

Types and causes

How to treat azoospermia? The answer to the question depends primarily on the form of pathology in a particular patient. Because each has characteristic features that require completely different approaches to treatment.

Obstructive azoospermia

Associated with impaired patency or complete obstruction of sperm from the testicles to the outside. With this form, the testicles produce normal sperm with good potential for conception, but they do not get to the right place due to the obstacle.

Obstruction can be associated with congenital pathology – when a newborn boy has no seminiferous tubules, caused by inflammatory processes, surgical interventions (vasectomy – male sterilization, surgery for inguinal hernia), trauma to the reproductive organs. Cicatricial formations or cysts can block the seminal ducts, make it difficult to release the seed – sclerotic phenomena in the appendages, prostate gland, urethra.

The obstructive form is detected in 25-30% of all cases.

Secretory azoospermia

In this form, the man has everything in order with the vas deferens. Sperm are absent in the ejaculate due to dysfunction of the testicles, which do not produce sperm at all or produce insufficient amounts.

Secretory or non-obstructive azoospermia can be caused by:

  • hormonal disorders associated with pituitary and thyroid dysfunction;
  • congenital testicular underdevelopment;
  • testicular injury associated with varicocele, trauma, scrotal hernia;
  • radiation and chemotherapy of oncological diseases;
  • hypovitaminosis and starvation diets;
  • diabetes and morbid obesity;
  • venereal diseases, sepsis and tuberculosis;
  • work in the chemical industry, X-ray exposure;
  • taking drugs that inhibit spermatogenesis.

The secretory type occurs in approximately 60% of cases.

Other types of pataspermia

There is another form – transient or temporary. It occurs for an indefinite period of time, is completely reversible, and may be the result of both obstructive and secretory factors. In addition to the “pure species”, there is mixed azoospermia, in which ovarian dysfunction and obstruction of the vas deferens are observed simultaneously. It is rare and is considered the most difficult form to treat.

How is the diagnosis made?

In most cases, azoospermia is manifested only by infertility – men do not experience pain, discomfort, problems with erectile function. And since problems with conception can have many causes (including other pathologies of sperm – oligozoospermia, teratozoospermia), it is necessary to first confirm or refute the absence of sperm in the ejaculate, and thus establish the cause of pathospermia.

Diagnosis of azoospermia includes several types of tests:

  • Andrologist examination . Allows you to identify external signs – a decrease in the size of the testicles, a violation of the structure of the testicles and appendages, the prostate gland, possible anomalies of the urethra, etc.
  • Spermogram . Microscopic examination of the ejaculate allows you to determine the presence / absence of spermatozoa, and if they are, to clarify their concentration and mobility, to study the structure. In addition, the study establishes the presence of leukocytes and antisperm bodies in the semen.
  • Adnexal or testicular biopsy . It helps to find out if there is spermatogenesis, to determine the causes of its violation.
  • Blood test for hormones . Allows you to confirm the secretory form.
  • X-ray examination of the seminiferous ducts using a contrast agent (genitography) allows you to determine the exact characteristics of obstructive azoospermia.

Achieving pregnancy with azoospermia

After analyzing the results of the examination, determining the form and probable cause of the pathology, the doctor develops the optimal tactics for further actions. The goal is always the same – to achieve pregnancy and the birth of a healthy baby.

Operative and conservative therapy

If a man is diagnosed with obstructive azoospermia, surgery can help restore reproductive function. Microsurgical reconstructive methods are used to open the way for sperm from the testicles. The scheme of the operation depends on the location and extent of the area with obstruction.

There is little prospect of treatment for secretory azoospermia. However, with certain hormonal disorders, patients are prescribed drug therapy aimed at correcting endocrine disorders and resuming spermatogenesis. If the cause of the pathology is varicocele, then surgical treatment of the underlying disease can lead to overcoming infertility.

Sometimes treatment works. But in general, the chances of becoming a father in a natural way in patients with this pathology remain quite low. In the absence of an effect or with the deliberate futility of surgical / medical methods, assisted reproductive technologies come to the rescue. The doctor recommends an IVF program for a couple with a male factor of infertility.

IVF for azoospermia

The in vitro fertilization procedure has been used for more than 40 years, and for a significant part of this period it has been used, among other things, to solve the problem of azoospermia. However, before everything was limited to the use of donor sperm – genetic paternity for men with azoospermia was not available. With the introduction and development of biopsy techniques, the situation has changed. Now IVF is carried out with the man’s own sperm, which is previously obtained directly from the testicles and appendages. For this, various types of biopsy are used.

Read more about testicular/adnexal biopsy at the Life Line Center here

Testicular biopsy does not always allow obtaining a sufficient amount of healthy sperm for classical IVF. Therefore, in our clinics, to overcome infertility in azoospermia, IVF is supplemented by the ICSI technique (ICSI). During the procedure, the embryologist injects the selected sperm – the best available – directly into the egg. For IVF with ICSI, one high-quality male germ cell may be enough.

Obtaining spermatozoa from testicular tissue and their subsequent use in IVF with ICSI greatly expands the possibilities of overcoming azoospermia. An additional factor in the high effectiveness of IVF programs in our center is a clear interaction between urologists, reproductive specialists and embryologists.

To make an appointment with a reproductive specialist or urologist, leave a request on the website or call us at the clinic.

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Asthenozoospermia – cause, diagnosis, treatment, disease grades, prices

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Asthenozoospermia is a common factor in male infertility. With her, there are few spermatozoa with normal motility in the ejaculate

Treatment of asthenozoospermia

Of all the disorders of spermatogenesis, reproductologists especially often have to deal with asthenozoospermia. This is a pathological condition of sperm, which is characterized by low mobility of germ cells. Asthenozoospermia is a common factor in male infertility. When there are few spermatozoa with normal motility in the ejaculate, conception becomes a problem for the couple. Fortunately, modern medicine has solutions for this problem.

Pathology is detected by semen analysis. For an accurate diagnosis, the study must be carried out twice (with an interval of one to two months) and twice show low sperm motility.

Where can asthenozoospermia be treated in Moscow?

For specialists of the Life Line Reproduction Center, reduced sperm motility is a well-known condition. They have extensive experience in identifying asthenozoospermia and overcoming the infertility caused by this pathology.

  • Spermogram and other ejaculate studies are carried out in our own laboratory equipped according to international standards
  • The doctors of our clinics have mastered all the methods of treatment of asthenozoospermia that have proven to be highly effective
  • IVF success rates in our clinics are above the national average

What is asthenozoospermia, why does it develop?

Only that spermatozoon, which has everything in order with mobility, can penetrate the egg and give rise to a new life. It must move at the right speed and in the right direction. If there are few such sperm in the ejaculate, the couple has difficulty conceiving.

According to WHO, spermatozoa are divided into three groups according to their motility.

  1. Progressively movable. These include sex cells that move in a straight line or a large circle at high speed.
  2. Non-progressively mobile. We are talking about spermatozoa, “aimlessly” moving in one place.
  3. Inactive , those that don’t move at all.

Today it is considered normal when a man’s semen contains at least 40 percent of progressively motile spermatozoa. A lower indicator is a reason to talk about the pathology of spermatogenesis. Is it possible to get pregnant with asthenozoospermia? If the mobility indicators are reduced, but not too much, then this possibility remains. With a serious deviation from the norm, natural conception is impossible.

Causes of asthenozoospermia

Any pathospermia is not an independent disease, but a consequence of existing problems in a man’s body or some negative external factors. Asthenozoospermia can be caused by:

  • varicocele;
  • genetic failures and chromosomal abnormalities;
  • autoimmune diseases;
  • inflammatory processes;
  • STIs;
  • serious illnesses;
  • radiation, high temperatures, toxic effects;
  • addiction to alcohol, smoking;
  • nervous tension;
  • long absence of sexual life.

How is it diagnosed?

The conclusion about asthenozoospermia is made on the basis of the results of a semen analysis – the main study of male fertility. Spermogram is assigned to all men, without exception, who turned to reproductive specialists.

Read more about the spermogram and the rules for preparing for donating sperm for research here.

But detecting low sperm motility is only the first step. To treat asthenozoospermia, you need to understand what led to it.

For this, patients are assigned an additional set of examinations. It may include:

  • blood tests for hormones,
  • ultrasound examination of the scrotum and prostate,
  • genetic screening,
  • diagnostics of inflammatory processes and infectious diseases.

How is asthenozoospermia treated?

It is not a deviation in spermogram parameters that is treated, but the reason that led to them. That is why it is important to conduct a qualitative diagnosis of problems with the reproductive and general health of men.

The treatment is carried out by an andrologist-urologist, involving other specialists if necessary. The method is chosen depending on the root cause of infertility. It can be medical or surgical.

  • Medical treatment. Preparations are selected depending on the diagnosis. So, when endocrine disruptions are detected, hormonal therapy for asthenozoospermia is prescribed. If genital infections are diagnosed, appropriate drugs are used. Inflammatory processes are also treated with medications.
  • Surgery. Operations are required, for example, when a varicocele has led to asthenozoospermia. In our IVF clinics, patients with varicocele undergo microsurgical varicocelectomy.

If the problem is in lifestyle or exposure to harmful substances, then often to restore normal spermatogenesis it is enough to eliminate the influence of negative factors on the body.

Asthenozoospermia is treated by a physician. Folk remedies and self-therapy are a waste of time, which is very valuable for a couple who dream of a baby. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you trust the doctors.

Drug therapy and modern surgical methods often lead to the restoration of normal sperm motility. But treatment is not always effective. In addition, some causes of asthenozoospermia are notoriously untreatable. In such situations, assisted reproductive technologies can achieve pregnancy.

IVF for asthenozoospermia

Even with the most severe asthenozoospermia, in vitro fertilization solves the problem of infertility. Our center uses all modern IVF programs and protocols with proven effectiveness. The scheme is always developed individually.

Programs are complemented by the ICSI method – the embryologist finds a healthy and promising spermatozoon in the ejaculate, after which he injects it into the egg, thus helping fertilization.

Asthenozoospermia is a serious failure in the male reproductive function. But she does not put an end to plans for paternity. The main thing is to entrust your reproductive future to competent specialists. With us, dads become men with the most severe pathologies of spermatogenesis. Come to the “Line of Life” for the baby!

You can make an appointment with a reproductive specialist or an andrologist-urologist by phone or online. To register online, fill out an application on the website or write to us in the chat.