Asthenozoospermia
Asthenozoospermia is a pathological condition of the ejaculate characterized by a decrease in the quality of the secretion due to low sperm motility.
Asthenozoospermia: the cause of male infertility
Asthenozoospermia is a state of sperm characterized by a decrease in the number of actively motile spermatozoa that move along straight trajectories and a decrease in the speed of their movement. Asthenozoospermia is the cause of low fertility in couples in about 40% of cases. Asthenozoospermia is diagnosed using a laboratory study of sperm for the quality, quantity and viability of sperm, called spermogram. The study also allows you to establish the acidity of sperm, analyze the morphological structure of sperm and determine the degree of deviation from the norm.
A healthy couple needs from 8 to 12 months for successful conception, provided they have regular unprotected intercourse (a portion of ejaculate enters the genital tract). A spermogram is indicated for couples with a burdened history (one of the partners has already had problems with conception), sperm donors, and also those who are planning to cryopreservation of sperm. To detect asthenozoospermia, a spermogram can be performed routinely when examining partners during pregnancy planning.
Currently, there are no tests and methods for determining the fertilizing potential of sperm. It should be noted that fertilizing ability is influenced not only by the mobility of sperm, but also by their number. The acidity of the vaginal environment is detrimental to sperm, the semen contains alkali to soften the aggressive environment, which allows sperm to enter the uterus and fallopian tubes to fertilize an egg. The environment of the uterus, on the contrary, has an activating effect on sperm, contributing to an increase in their mobility. This effect is called capacitation.
Asthenozoospermia: degree of disease
According to the classification of the World Health Organization, sperm are divided into 4 classes:
- Class A - progressively actively moving spermatozoa, with asthenozoospermia, the number of active spermatozoa moving in a rectilinear direction is less than 20%;
- Class B - progressively weakly motile spermatozoa, with asthenozoospermia, the level of slowly motile spermatozoa in the ejaculate is less than 30%;
- Class C - non-progressively motile spermatozoa, the movement of which is carried out mainly along pendulum trajectories, with asthenozoospermia, the number of spermatozoa moving in place is equal to or exceeds 50%;
- Class D - completely immobile sperm, with asthenozoospermia, the number of such spermatozoa in the ejaculate reaches 10% or more.
Depending on the quantitative content of certain spermatozoa in the ejaculate, three degrees of asthenozoospermia are distinguished:
- Asthenozoospermia degree 1 - mild with the number of motile spermatozoa of groups A and B less than 50%. With such a degree of asthenozoospermia, the fertilizing potential of sperm remains quite high, only minor correction is required, as well as the elimination of the causes that cause a "defect" in sperm quality;
- Asthenozoospermia degree 2 is moderate with the number of motile sperm in groups A and B less than 30-40%. With this degree of asthenozoospermia, a thorough examination is necessary to identify the causes of the development of the disorder and eliminate these causes;
- Asthenozoospermia degree 3 - expressed with the number of active spermatozoa of groups A and B less than 30% and the predominance of sperm of groups C and D. This form of pathology requires careful examination and long-term restoration of spermatogenesis.
It should be noted that with any degree of asthenozoospermia, there is a possibility of sperm fertilization of the egg. The diagnosis of asthenozoospermia cannot be regarded as the absolute cause of the couple's infertility.
Asthenozoospermia: causes of the disease
Currently, the reasons for the development of asthenozoospermia have not yet been studied. With asthenozoospermia, the causes may be:
- Genetic factor - a congenital mutation leading to a morphological defect of the head, neck, sperm flagellum, which is the main structural element that ensures the movement of sperm;
- Toxic effects - the use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, drugs, drugs, poisoning with industrial pesticides, including the deterioration of the ecological situation;
- Temperature factor - exposure to critically high and low temperatures (frequent stay in a sauna, bath, or prolonged exposure to the cold);
- Stress factor;
- Prolonged sexual abstinence;
- Antisperm immunity, which contributes to a change in the amplitude of sperm pulsation;
- STDs (urethritis due to Trichomonas infection, gonorrhea and others);
- Inflammatory processes of the genital organs;
- Pathology of the secretion of the prostate.
In asthenozoospermia, the causes can be many other factors not associated with the genital area.
Asthenozoospermia: how to treat, diagnosis, prognosis
To identify asthenozoospermia, how to treat it, to predict the restoration of normal concentration of motile spermatozoa, it is necessary to do laboratory tests of semen. The decoding of spermogram analyzes is carried out exclusively by the attending physician, based on the test results, the degree of asthenozoospermia is established, how to treat it, as well as the necessary lifestyle changes. The quality of semen, the concentration of active viable spermatozoa and the potential for fertilization of the ejaculate largely depend on the diet of the man, mental state, and physical activity. As a rule, asthenozoospermia is asymptomatic. At the heart of the treatment of asthenozoospermia, medications are used to correct diseases that cause the state of sperm. With asthenozoospermia,due to a genetic mutation of the morphology (structure) of sperm, the prognosis is unfavorable. In such cases, IVF is used for successful fertilization. Asthenozoospermia due to other causes is easily corrected.
Asthenozoospermia: treatment with folk remedies
With various forms of asthenozoospermia, treatment with folk remedies can be very effective. For the treatment of asthenozoospermia, ginseng root, sage decoction, and plantain seeds are used. It should be noted that with asthenozoospermia, treatment with folk remedies will be ineffective if the violation of the viability and mobility of spermatozoa is due to the presence of inflammatory and infectious processes, genetic disorders. With this etiology of asthenozoospermia, treatment should primarily be aimed at eliminating the provoking factor. With mild degrees of asthenozoospermia, treatment with alternative methods is the most effective.
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The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
