Who Can Benefit from Testicular Sperm Extraction?

Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) is a fertility treatment that may help you be able to father a child. The extraction of sperm can be used with many fertility treatments that require the fertilization of eggs in a laboratory, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT). Men who have experienced problems ejaculating sperm are likely candidates for the procedure.

Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

The first type of man who may qualify for sperm extraction is the man with non-obstructive azoospermia. You may ejaculate following orgasm, but no to little sperm is present in the ejaculation. (The amount of sperm in the ejaculation can be determined with a laboratory test.) If you have non-obstructive azoospermia, you still produce sperm in some areas of the testicles and the sperm can be extracted during the procedure.

Obstructive Azoospermia

The other condition you may have that can qualify for sperm extraction is obstructive azoospermia. With obstructive azoospermia, you produce normal levels of sperm in your ejaculation material. However, due to a blockage in the ducts between the testicles and the urethra, the full amount of sperm does not exit the body. In order to access the sperm, your fertility specialist will have to perform an extraction.

Most men who haven't been able to successfully father a child can benefit from testicular sperm extraction. Your fertility specialist will be able to determine whether or not you qualify for the procedure. Just be aware that the sperm extracted will be immature, so the woman bearing your child cannot be impregnated directly; instead, her eggs must be fertilized in the clinic.

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