Introduction to Sperm Extraction Surgery
If your dream is to have a child but you still suffer from a severe decrease in sperm count in your semen, your doctor may suggest undergoing surgery to extract sperm to solve this problem. About 10% to 15% of men suffering from infertility have a severe decrease in sperm count, but they can still increase their chances through this method.
The concept of sperm extraction refers to any method aimed at obtaining sperm for fertility purposes. There are clearly many ways to obtain sperm, which are divided into non-surgical and surgical methods. Non-surgical methods include penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) and electroejaculation (EEJ).
Surgical methods include testicular sperm extraction (TESE), testicular sperm aspiration (TESA), percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA), and others. However, doctors often resort to using in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) after surgically extracting sperm to achieve pregnancy.
Benefits of Sperm Extraction Surgery
- Get the best sperm from the testes or epididymis.
- Obtain an adequate number of sperm for freezing or immediate use.
- Avoid direct injuries that harm the reproductive system and testes.
- Get minimally painful treatment with minimal surgical intervention.
- Obtain a significantly successful treatment.
Appropriate Categories for Undergoing Sperm Extraction Surgery
Sperm retrieval surgery would be a great option for you if you suffer from a shortage or absence of sperm in your semen due to obstruction. This problem can occur due to the following reasons:
- Previous vasectomy.
- Sexually transmitted infections.
- Retrograde ejaculation or inability to ejaculate at all (inability to ejaculate normally).
- Problems with sperm production due to chemotherapy, genetic diseases, or testicular removal.
Risks of Sperm Extraction Surgery
Sperm extraction surgery is a relatively safe procedure, but it still carries some potential risks, such as:
- Pain, infection, or bleeding.
- Failure to obtain sperm.
- The need for other procedures.
- Testicular damage (rare).