The key difference between aspermia and azoospermia is that aspermia is the complete absence of semen fluid upon ejaculation, while azoospermia is the absence of any sperm in the semen.
Aspermia and azoospermia are two medical conditions that are associated with male infertility. Male infertility can be caused by different factors such as low sperm production, abnormal sperm function, or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Moreover, illnesses, injuries, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices, and other factors may contribute to male infertility.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Aspermia
3. What is Azoospermia
4. Similarities – Aspermia and Azoospermia
5. Aspermia vs Azoospermia in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Aspermia vs Azoospermia
What is Aspermia?
Aspermia is the complete absence of semen fluid upon ejaculation. It is associated with male infertility. One of the main causes of this condition is retrograde ejaculation. Because of this, the sperms are kept in the bladder, and the final ejaculate is “0” in volume. This happens place due to excessive drug use, prostrate surgery, and alpha blockers such as tamsulosin and silodosin. Another cause of aspermia is ejaculatory duct obstruction. This can result in a complete lack or a very low concentration of semen (oligospermia). In addition, androgen deficiency also causes aspermia. The major symptom of aspermia is the complete absence of semen after ejaculation. Other symptoms may include blood content in the semen, anejaculation, pain in the scrotum, genital pain or urinary pain, and hazy urine after intercourse.
Aspermia can be diagnosed through physical examination and blood tests to check sex hormone levels in men (testosterone). Furthermore, the treatment of aspermia varies with the underlying etiology. This includes medical therapy with sympathomimetics, urinary sperm retrieval, bladder neck reconstruction, prostatic massage penile vibratory stimulation, electroejaculation, and surgical sperm retrieval.
What is Azoospermia?
Azoospermia is a medical condition that refers to the absence of any sperm in the semen. There are two main types of azoospermia: obstructive and nonobstructive. Obstructive azoospermia is due to a blockage or missing connection in the epididymis, vas deferens, or along the reproductive tract. Nonobstructive azoospermia is due to a defect in the structure and function of the testicles. Moreover, obstructive azoospermia can be caused by trauma, infections, inflammations, previous surgeries in the pelvic area, the development of a cyst, vasectomy, and cystic fibrosis gene mutation. On the other hand, nonobstructive azoospermia is caused by gene mutations (Kallman syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, etc.), hormones imbalances, ejaculation problems like retrograde ejaculation, and testicles problems (anorchia, cryptorchidism, etc.). Symptoms of azoospermia include the absence of sperms in the semen, low sex drive, lump, swelling, or discomfort around the testicles, and decreased hair on the face or body.
Azoospermia can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, examination under a high-powered microscope following a spin in a centrifuge, hormone testing, biopsy, X-ray, and genetic testing. Furthermore, treatment options for azoospermia may include surgery to unblock tubes or reconstruct and connect abnormal or never developed tubes, hormone treatments (FSH, HCG, clomiphene, anastrozole, and letrozole), surgical procedure for varicocele, and extensive biopsy for sperm retrieval.
What are the Similarities Between Aspermia and Azoospermia?
- Aspermia and azoospermia are two medical conditions that are associated with male infertility.
- Both medical conditions are associated with semen problems.
- Both medical conditions are due to structural and functional defects in the male reproductive system.
- They can be caused by retrograde ejaculation.
- Both can be diagnosed through physical examination and laboratory tests.
- They are mainly treated through specific surgeries.
What is the Difference Between Aspermia and Azoospermia?
Aspermia refers to the complete absence of semen fluid upon ejaculation, while azoospermia refers to the absence of any sperm in the semen. Thus, this is the key difference between aspermia and azoospermia. Furthermore, aspermia is caused by retrograde ejaculation, ejaculatory duct obstruction, and androgen deficiency. Azoospermia is caused by trauma, infections, inflammations, previous surgeries in the pelvic area, development of a cyst, vasectomy, cystic fibrosis gene mutation, other gene mutations, hormones imbalances, ejaculation problems like retrograde ejaculation, and testicles problems.
The below infographic presents the differences between aspermia and azoospermia in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Aspermia vs Azoospermia
Aspermia and azoospermia are two medical conditions that are associated with male infertility. However, these conditions can also be observed in normal men. Aspermia is defined as the complete lack of semen with ejaculation, while azoospermia is defined as the absence of any sperm in the semen. So, this is the key difference between aspermia and azoospermia.
Reference:
1. “Aspermia – an Overview.” ScienceDirect Topics.
2. “Azoospermia.” Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Male anatomy blank” By Tsaitgaist – This file was derived from Male anatomy.png (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “H&E 20x hypospermatogenesis with peritubular fibrosis” By Difu Wu – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia