Infertility is increasing nowadays, and men are equally affected by it as women. The major infertility issues that men have are with their sperm, usually low sperm count, low motility, or abnormal morphology.
Teratozoospermia is a male infertility condition that affects sperm morphology. It can severely affect the chances of a natural pregnancy. IVF is one treatment option that most couples prefer in cases of teratozoospermia.
In this article, we will discuss whether IVF can help overcome teratozoospermia and what other treatment options are available for such couples to get pregnant successfully.
IVF As A Treatment Option
Teratozoospermia or teratospermia is a male infertility condition that is defined by a high amount of morphologically abnormal sperm in a semen sample. Almost 80–90% of the sperm in the sample will be abnormal in this condition.
When your doctor diagnoses this condition, they will analyze how severe the condition is and decide whether you need IVF (In vitro fertilization). If the condition is mild or moderate, they will first try IUI (intrauterine insemination) to see whether you can conceive. If IUI fails, you will be suggested IVF.
IVF is an effective fertility treatment where fertilization happens outside the female uterus in a laboratory. Here, the eggs and sperm are collected from the couple and made to fertilize in a Petri dish. This method allows doctors to analyze the sperm and select the ones that are of good quality.
The fertilized egg will also be monitored for a few days before embryo transfer. This ensures that only the best embryos with the highest chances of success get transferred to the uterus.
This can exponentially increase the chances of a successful pregnancy for couples suffering from teratozoospermia.
Factors Influencing IVF Success With Teratozoospermia
Though IVF is the most popular choice for men with teratozoospermia, there are some factors that can affect the success of IVF treatments.
- The percentage of abnormal sperm in the semen sample
- The range of abnormalities in sperm
- The age of the female partner
- Female fertility conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids, etc.
- The quality of the eggs, sperm, or embryo
- The technology of the hospital and the fertility doctor’s expertise
- Unhealthy lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol, obesity, stress, etc.
Pre-IVF Treatments To Improve Sperm Quality
Before you start IVF treatments, your fertility doctor will suggest some treatments to improve sperm quality and increase the amount of good sperm collected during sperm retrieval. These are effective methods and should be followed for a higher chance of IVF success.
- Lifestyle modifications: Men who smoke and drink should quit those habits and start following a healthy lifestyle. Instead of processed unhealthy foods, men can eat excess fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods to improve their sperm quality.
- Regular exercise: Regular exercises can help manage a healthy weight, improve overall body functions, and improve sperm quality.
- Hormonal therapy: Hormone therapy can help regulate hormone levels in the body and improve healthy sperm production.
- Medication: Supplements like Vitamin C, E, antioxidants, and selenium can help protect sperm from damage and improve sperm quality.
- Surgery: If varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum) or hydrocele (fluid-filled sac in the scrotum) is the cause of teratozoospermia, men can undergo repair surgery to improve sperm quality before starting IVF.
Other Assisted Reproductive Technology Option
In cases where IVF cannot help you overcome teratozoospermia and achieve pregnancy, there are other advanced fertility treatments that can help couples get pregnant successfully.
ICSI As An Alternative For Teratozoospermia
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is an advanced method of IVF where a single sperm is selected for fertilization. A healthy, high-quality sperm is identified with a microscope. It is then collected in a needle and injected directly into the egg’s cytoplasm.
This method is an effective option for finding the best sperm among the abnormal ones.
PICSI As An Alternative For Teratozoospermia
PICSI, also called Physiological Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, involves mixing sperm with hyaluronic acid (HA) solutions and selecting the sperm that can bind with it.
This is an innovative method for finding viable mature sperm. A mature sperm’s head has receptors for HA, and only they can bind with the solution. These sperm are also of higher quality than other sperm, thus increasing the chances of pregnancy.
Conclusion
Teratozoospermia is a serious infertility condition that can affect a couple’s chances of getting pregnant. However, with proper care and fertility treatments, there are high chances of a successful pregnancy. Discuss with your fertility doctor and understand what you can do to ensure a successful pregnancy.
FAQs
There are several treatments you can undergo to treat teratozoospermia. This includes dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, and assisted reproductive technologies like IVF, ICSI, etc.
There are several ways you can correct sperm morphology and improve your fertility.
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Manage a healthy weight
- Take all medications prescribed by your doctor
- Reduce stress
Yes, even if the chances are low if there are some healthy sperm in the semen, a man with teratozoospermia can impregnate a woman.
