What are Some Diagnostic Methods for Asthenospermia?

Asthenospermia is a common male reproductive system disease, referring to low sperm quality, making successful conception challenging. The examination typically includes physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging studies.

In recent years, its incidence has gradually increased. The reasons include abnormal semen liquefaction, autoimmune factors, endocrine factors, etc. Besides, inflammatory diseases such as prostatitis and epididymitis can affect production and quality, thereby causing this disease.

Some men might wonder: How is asthenospermia diagnosed?

1. Physical Examination

Physical examination is the first step in diagnosing it. The doctor checks the patient's external genitalia, including the penis, testicles, and the epididymis, to rule out developmental abnormalities or organic lesions. Additionally, the prostate and seminal vesicles are checked to determine if there is inflammation or other pathological changes.

2. Laboratory Checks

Laboratory tests include routine semen analysis, morphology examination, and function tests. Routine check is the basic method for detecting asthenozoospermia. It evaluates the number, morphology, and motility in a patient's ejaculation fluid by collecting it. If the semen concentration is low and the motility is poor, there may be weak sperm.

Sperm morphology examination observes the shape to identify abnormalities or deformities, like head, tail, and neck deformities, which can affect conception. Semen function checks, such as anti-germ cell antibody testing and acrosomal enzyme activity testing, evaluate the fertilization capability and embryo development potential.

3. Imaging Studies

Providing a direct examination effect, imaging studies like ultrasound and CT scans can detect organic lesions in the reproductive system, such as testicular atrophy or epididymitis. They also assess the patency of the vas deferens for obstructions or injuries.

In addition to those above common diagnostic methods, other checks can assist in diagnosing this condition. For example, sex hormone testing can evaluate the patient's endocrine levels; chromosomal testing can determine any chromosomal abnormalities; and testicular biopsy can provide insight into the number and functional status of germ cells in the testicles. These checking methods depend on the patient's specific situation and can more comprehensively assess the condition of the reproductive system.

The examination generally requires a comprehensive evaluation using multiple methods. Asthenospermia is one of the most common types of male infertility, resulting from a complex interplay of multiple factors.

Can men with asthenospermia have a child?

Many couples, after living together for several years, still cannot conceive, and despite various tests, the wife's indicators are all normal. In fact, the problem might be with the male's semen. With the increasing pressures of modern society on men, not only work pressure but also the burden of substantial mortgages, smoking, excessive drinking, and staying up late for overtime have become normal behaviors for many men. However, these unhealthy lifestyle habits are contributing factors to this condition.

Asthenospermia determines a man's fertility function. The testicles are very fragile organs. Once this disease occurs, the testicles' production ability can be affected. Moreover, due to low motility, it becomes difficult for semen to successfully travel to the fallopian tube and fertilize the egg, often leading to infertility. Therefore, whether men can father children is a major concern for many affected individuals.

Typically, if a man suspects he has asthenospermia, the doctor will recommend a routine semen analysis. If three consecutive analyses indicate less than 50% of semen showing progressive motility (Grade A+B) or less than 25% of Grade A motility, with density and other parameters normal or nearly normal, a disease can be diagnosed.

Medically, asthenospermia is divided into three grades: mild, moderate, and severe. Mild condition occurs when (Grade A+B) is less than 50% but more than 30%, or Grade A sperm is less than 25% but more than 10%. A severe condition is when (Grade B+C) is less than 30%, with Grade A being zero.

Although this condition involves low motility and increases the likelihood of infertility, conception is still possible if even one semen is sufficiently motile. Hence, the chances of a female partner becoming pregnant by a man vary and are somewhat random. The likelihood is higher for those with mild condition than for those with severe.

However, given the generally poor quality in men, even if pregnancy is achieved, it is difficult to ensure the quality of the fertilized egg, hindering the goal of having a healthy child. If a woman does become pregnant by a man with asthenospermia, there is an increased risk of miscarriage or premature birth during the pregnancy.

Therefore, patients need to take this condition seriously. Treatments caused by inflammatory diseases include antibiotics or traditional Chinese medicine such as Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill. When it is caused by endocrine disorders, treatments involving endocrine-related therapies can be used.

At the same time, irregular lifestyle habits, smoking, heavy drinking, prolonged exposure to high-temperature environments, and sedentary behavior are all factors that can decrease semen motility.

Therefore, men must quit smoking and drinking, maintain a regular schedule without staying up late, minimize contact with chemical agents, reduce time spent in saunas and hot springs, and avoid sitting for long periods. For those who work in high-temperature environments, such as chefs, it is important to stay away from the hot kitchen if the disease occurs. When sperm are provided with a suitable growth environment, recovery from this disease can be accelerated.