In recent years, cases of infertility have become more frequent among the male population. Moreover, male infertility is not inferior to female infertility in frequency. Impaired male fertility is the cause of teratozoospermia. What is teratozoospermia?

Problems in childbearing

Seminal fluid contains spermatozoa. If a large number of sperm are not normal (with defects), then the patient is diagnosed with teratozoospermia. The norm is the fact that in the composition of sperm there are only a few abnormal germ cells. Teratozoospermia says that this disease is caused by 86% or more abnormal cells found in the seminal fluid.

Teratozoospermia warns that this phenomenon becomes the cause of male infertility. In other words, a man cannot have full-fledged offspring.

Some experts make this diagnosis in men already with 55% of deviations from the norm. This pathology is caused by impaired production of seminal fluid. With a pathological structure of sperm, they do not have the ability for normal fertilization. In these cases, women may experience miscarriage or fetal death. That's what teratozoospermia is.

What are the abnormalities of sperm?

There are several types of sperm abnormalities:

Abnormal sperm

1. Irregular structure of the head (small, large, round, awl-like). A normal head should look like an elongated, slightly smoothed triangle with dimensions of -3 microns. Sometimes two heads are noted at once, which is also a deviation.
2. Wrong ponytail. Sperm tails should not be too long, short, twisted, spiral-shaped; two or three tails are also a defect.
3. Incorrect structure of the sperm head (thickened, thinned, directly attached, incorrectly curved).
4. Cytoplasmic droplet formations are when flagellar seals are marked on the necks of the heads.

Men wonder about the danger of this pathology and its consequences. This disease leads to complete infertility in a man. In a normal state, the ejaculate should not exceed more than 30% of sperm with defects. Defective sperm cannot move normally, fertilize an egg, and sometimes fertilization with genetic deformity occurs.

Factors provoking the development of such pathology

The appearance of teratozoospermia in men is not considered a rare occurrence today.

The development of pathology is due to a number of reasons:

What could be the reasons

• Hereditary disposition. Occurs due to impaired spermatogenesis, impaired metabolism, and the development of diseases in the urinary and reproductive areas.
• Viral infection. This includes influenza, mumps, chickenpox, and colds that affect the entire body. Herpes is considered the most dangerous. When teratozoospermia occurs due to these complications, treatment therapy begins with eliminating the cause of the disease. Teratozoospermia requires treatment with antiviral medications.
• Diseases of the urinary and genital area. Causes of the pathology: renal pathologies, prostatitis, orchitis, epididymitis.
• Varicocele. Congestion in the venous system provokes a violation of microcirculation in the testicles. Twisted veins are also a cause for pathological blood supply.
• Enzymopathy. Lack of produced enzymes that are necessary for the production of high-quality seminal fluid.
• Hormonal imbalance. Most often at a young age it occurs due to the use of steroids and anabolic steroids.
• Wrong lifestyle. This includes not only addiction to alcohol, drugs and smoking. A sedentary life, eating fatty foods, spending a long time at the computer or TV, taking a hot bath, and frequent trips to the bathhouse are unacceptable habits.
• Environmental pollution. Harsh working conditions, radiation exposure, work in the chemical industry, contact with toxic substances, and regular stressful situations are also causes of infertility.

A genetic predisposition to teratozoospermia occurs in only half of the patients; in other cases, the pathology occurs due to an unhealthy lifestyle or diseases of the genitourinary system that have not been cured.

Recognizing the disease by symptoms

Subjective sensations of sperm deficiency do not appear in men. You can live your whole life without knowing about the presence of such a disease (absence of symptoms). The main symptom is the inability of a partner to become pregnant during constant unprotected sexual relations. The results of fertilization are the only factor by which a pathological phenomenon can be suspected.

Indirect signs of the disease include:

Infertility

• Pregnancy does not occur for more than 12 months.
• Early termination of pregnancy.
• Frozen pregnancy.
• Pathologies occurring with the fertilized egg.

The exact cause of infertility can be determined by the attending specialist based on the diagnostic results. In order to ensure normal spermatogenesis, it is necessary to conduct research.

Diagnosis of tetatozoospermia

The first thing a man should do before conceiving a child is to take a spermogram. Sperm examination is carried out in two sessions, with an interval of two weeks. It is better to take the analysis in different medical institutions.

The norm is:

• The amount of sperm is 2-5 ml.
• The total number of sperm is 45-500 million.
• Per 1 ml – 15-125 million sperm.
• A small number of poorly motile sperm.
• Almost half of the sperm are very active.
• Leukocytes – limit up to 2.
• More than 60% correct.
• Lack of red blood cells.

With sperm quality indicators of more than 1.7, men have very little chance of natural fertilization.

For a complete diagnosis, additional research is required to do this:

• ultrasound diagnostics of the prostate and scrotum;
• MAR testing for antibody concentration;
• NVA testing to assess sperm maturity;
• Genetic testing;
• Hormonal plasma study.

In order to cure a disease that has arisen against the background of diseases transmitted through sexual contact, other tests will be required. Prescriptions are determined by a specialist.

How is teratozoospermia treated?

Treatment for teratozoospermia begins with eliminating the cause of the appearance of defective sperm. For this purpose, drugs with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects are prescribed. For varicocele in adult men, doctors recommend surgery.

Use of drug treatment

Treatment for teratozoospermia involves vitamin therapy.

Treatment is carried out in courses, this can be:

• Folic acid;
• Vitamins C, E;
• Succinic acid;
• Complex of vitamins with zinc, selenium, iodine.

How to treat teratozoospermia? Your doctor may prescribe the use of biological supplements that have a beneficial effect on sperm quality:

Drugs used

• Tribestan.
• L-carnitine.
• Verona.
• Gerimax - ginseng.
• Spermactin.

After taking a spermogram, if defective sperm are detected or in small quantities, urologists recommend taking Spermaktin or Speman as a treatment for teratozoospermia. At the same time, there is an increase in sperm volume, which has a positive effect on increasing the number of sperm, and therefore healthy sperm too.

Therapeutic therapy with traditional methods

How to treat teratozoospermia at home? There are some traditional medicine recipes to improve sperm quality. Before using them, you should consult your doctor.

Natural medicines

• Infusion of currant leaves. The leaves should be brewed instead of tea. For this, take 2 tbsp. l. raw materials, pour in 200 ml of boiled water. The drug is taken in the morning and evening. The course of treatment is 30-90 days. This composition contains vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system, helping the body normalize regeneration.
• A decoction of plantain leaves, birch buds, and nettles. A mixture of all herbs (total amount 3 tsp) is poured with 200 ml of boiled water and simmered over low heat. The composition is taken three times a day before meals. The course of treatment is 14 days.
• Pumpkin. The healing properties of pumpkin have been known for a very long time. You can take pumpkin seeds, oil, cook porridge, take pumpkin juice daily.
• Blend to strengthen the immune system. Lemon, nuts, honey - mixed in equal quantities, the composition is infused in a cold room or refrigerator for 24 hours. Take 1 tsp in the morning on an empty stomach. This composition does not have a specific course of use and is approved for use for many years.

Treatment of teratozoospermia should be supported by a healthy diet. In addition to everything, a man must adjust his diet. Food should be fortified. Fatty foods, Coca-Cola, fast foods, mayonnaise, marinades should be excluded completely.

One of the common forms of infertility in men is a pathological process called teratozoospermia. The main reason for its appearance is considered to be the presence of a sufficiently large number of irregular cells in the seed. This process, as a rule, is always accompanied by a violation of the external structure of the sperm. When the above problem occurs, one can observe the presence of abnormal structures of the head, neck or tail of most of the male semen particles. Therefore, today high-quality treatment of teratozoospermia is a very relevant and in demand process.

Clinical studies show that in the normal state of male semen, its irregular particles are always in the minority compared to the total number of sperm. However, when a pathology such as teratozoospermia occurs, the situation is completely opposite - damaged cells become the dominant elements in the total number of sperm. The presence of such a process has a very negative effect on the entire mechanism of fertilization in a man.

Experts note the fact that the direct fusion of any morphologically defective sperm with an egg may result in the development of many chromosomal abnormalities.

Causes of teratozoospermia

The appearance of this pathological process, which can subsequently lead to male infertility, is accompanied by a large number of negative factors. One of the most important prerequisites for the occurrence of teratozoospermia is the development of various hormonal disorders in a man’s body. This reason is associated, first of all, with incorrect or too long-term use of the appropriate medications. Hormonal substances very often enter the human body for therapeutic purposes. However, their abuse can lead to quite serious consequences, for example, the development of teratozoospermia.

The above problem very often occurs when a man has serious viral infections that affect the genitourinary system. One of these factors is the development of herpes in the body. It can seriously affect the abnormal development of sperm and provoke the appearance of teratozoospermia. Another common cause of its occurrence is the presence of an inflammatory process in the male genital organs (for example, orchitis or prostatitis). Serious venous expansion in the testicles, called varicocele, also leads to teratozoospermia.

The root causes of the above problem can be not only specific types of diseases, but also various social factors. A prerequisite for the development of teratozoospermia in many cases is the presence of bad habits and an unhealthy lifestyle. Constant consumption of alcohol in large quantities and active smoking will have a very negative impact on the result of a male spermogram. Research shows that teratozoospermia can occur under various negative environmental influences. These include, for example, high temperature and radiation.

Fertilization process in teratozoospermia

A man's semen, which contains particles with a negative pathological factor, still has a chance of successfully fertilizing the egg. In this case, everything depends on the number of morphologically abnormal sperm in the ejaculate. If, for example, based on the results of a spermogram it can be concluded that the male semen contains 70% of damaged particles, then the probability of a successful fertilization process will be 30%. With teratozoospermia, a successful pregnancy can only be achieved with maximum neutralization of pathologically abnormal sperm. If their number increases, then the probability of successful fertilization, on the contrary, will decrease proportionally.

To increase the chances of successfully conceiving a child, all men who have teratozoospermia are prescribed appropriate treatment. Its process and features will primarily depend on the causes of this pathology. After successful and effective therapy, the condition of the male seed improves and, accordingly, the chances of successful fertilization of the egg increase. However, there are cases when doctors recommend carrying out the conception process in artificial, laboratory conditions. In this case, in vitro fertilization is used, which significantly increases the chances of a successful pregnancy.

Solutions to the problem

After confirming the diagnosis of teratozoospermia, the specialist is obliged to prescribe the necessary course of treatment to successfully eliminate the problem. Today there are various methods with which you can effectively combat the above pathology. In order to properly and efficiently treat teratozoospermia, it is necessary to clearly find out all the causes of its occurrence and go through a full cycle of examining male semen. Elimination of the problem can be done using conservative or surgical therapy. If the cause of teratozoospermia is any infectious-inflammatory process, then for its successful treatment it is recommended to apply the following principles:

• comprehensive microbiological examination to identify harmful microorganisms;
• prescribing medications that effectively eliminate the source of infection;
• treatment in the correct time frame;
• full control over the entire therapeutic process.

To effectively eliminate herpetic infections, which may be the primary source of teratozoospermia, the patient is prescribed special antiviral drugs. This treatment process also involves taking medications that increase the body's immune response. The herpes virus is almost impossible to completely neutralize, so the goal of the above therapy is to deactivate it. In this condition, this infection will not affect the genitals. The surgical method of treating teratozoospermia is used only if the occurrence of this pathology is provoked by varicocele disease.

Reproductive technologies for teratozoospermia

With very serious manifestations of this pathological disorder of the male seed, the use of additional techniques that help eliminate infertility problems is often required. Such technologies can significantly increase the likelihood of high-quality fertilization of the egg and guarantee the normal course of subsequent pregnancy. One of the reproductive methods if a man has teratozoospermia is the process of artificial insemination. Its essence lies in the special treatment of sperm and a significant improvement in its quality.

If there are a large number of morphologically irregular particles in the male ejaculate, the use of in vitro fertilization of the egg is recommended. This process consists of selecting the highest quality, mature and correct sperm. Thanks to this selection, subsequent pregnancy proceeds without the occurrence of various anomalies in the development of the fetus. Before participating in a reproductive fertilization program, a man is recommended to improve the quality of his semen. For these purposes, it is necessary to properly balance the nutritional system and eat food rich in various vitamins.

A woman who dreams of having a child can run to doctors for years, being treated for miscarriages and missed abortions. And at some point the question arises: is it not the man who is to blame for the infertility of the family? It is enough to take a spermogram to determine how viable the sperm are in the ejaculate and whether there are any deviations in their structure.

Teratozoospermia (teratospermia) is a disease in which there is more than the permissible norm in the sperm of defective sperm. If a man is diagnosed with teratozoospermia, the causes of the disease may be different. But the main ones are external provoking factors: lifestyle, working conditions, human nutrition.

What is terazootospermia?

Teratozoospermia is a disorder of sperm production in which the number of pathologically formed sperm significantly exceeds the permissible norm. Some doctors make this diagnosis even with 50% of deviations.

Due to the fact that sperm have a pathological structure, they are not able to fertilize an egg. In the same case, if fertilization with a defective sperm is performed, the woman develops a frozen pregnancy or has an early miscarriage.

Possible types of deviations:

1. Irregular head shape. It can be too big, very small, round, awl-like. Normally, the sperm head is similar to an elongated, smoothed triangle, its dimensions are 2-3 microns. Two heads on one tail are also a pathology.
2. Ponytail problem. Too short, too long, broken, twisted, spiral-shaped flagellum is defective, as are 2-3 tails attached to one head.
3. Atypical cervical structure. Thickening or thinning of the neck, attachment at a right angle, and irregular curvature are structural pathologies.
4. Cytoplasmic drops: on the neck, head, seal of the flagellum.

The patient had a question: why is teratozoospermia dangerous, what is it? In short, we can say that this is a disease leading to male infertility. Normally, the presence of no more than 30% of defective sperm in the ejaculate is acceptable. Spermatozoa with pathological changes cannot move, are not able to fertilize an egg, and endow the fertilized fetus with genetic deformities.

The reason for the development of pathology

Teratozoospermia is a very common disease. It has already been proven that it is because of this pathology that half of the cases of infertility and miscarriage occur. Factors provoking the development of defects:

1. Genetic predisposition. Depends on hereditary diseases in which spermatogenesis and metabolism are disrupted, and pathologies develop in the structure of the genitourinary system.
2. Viral infections. These include influenza, mumps, chickenpox, and colds, in which the inflammatory process affects the entire human body. The most dangerous is herpes. If these diseases directly provoke teratospermia, treatment must begin with eliminating the cause of the pathology - taking antiviral drugs.
3. Diseases of the genitourinary system. Prostatitis, epididymitis, orchitis, kidney disease lead to complications.
4. Varicocele. Stagnation in the venous bed, pathological tortuosity of the veins leads to impaired blood supply to the testicles.
5. Enzymopathy. A disease in which the enzymes required for the production of high-quality sperm are produced in insufficient quantities.
6. Hormonal disbalance. It can happen if a man takes anabolic steroids or steroids.
7. Lifestyle. This includes not only drug addiction, smoking and alcoholism. Sedentary work, eating fatty foods, sitting for long periods of time playing computer games, taking hot baths, going to a hot sauna, bathhouse also negatively affect spermatogenesis.
8. Negative environmental impact. Working in harsh conditions, under radiation exposure, in the chemical industry, when a person is constantly exposed to toxic substances or regularly experiences stress, can lead to complete infertility.

Diseases and genetic predisposition account for only about 50% of infertility cases. What is teratozoospermia in men? Most often, this is a disease that a person “earned” by drinking alcohol, smoking, or giving up an active lifestyle.

What symptoms can you use to recognize the disease?

Are there any symptoms of this pathology that can help a man know about the disease? The defective sperm does not cause any subjective sensations in the patient. A person can live his whole life without worrying about this problem, without suffering or experiencing discomfort.

The main sign indicating the development of pathology is the absence of pregnancy in partners with regular unprotected sexual intercourse. That is, it turns out that only based on the results of fertilization it is possible to determine whether the sperm contains atypically formed sperm. Indirect signs of the disease:

• Pregnancy does not occur for more than a year.
• Pregnancies are terminated in the early stages.
• Pregnancies freeze and stop developing.
• Pathological processes occur in the fertilized egg.

It is possible to establish exactly what is the cause of infertility only with the help of diagnostic methods. How to get pregnant with teratozoospermia and not harm your partner? Only after undergoing an in-depth examination, eliminating the cause of the disease and restoring normal spermatogenesis.

Diagnostics

Taking a spermogram is the first thing a man interested in having a child should do. The analysis is carried out twice, with an interval of 14 days. It is advisable to take it in different laboratories. What indicators are considered normal?

• Volume – about 2-6 ml.
• The number of sperm is about 40-500 million.
• There are about 20-120 million sperm in 1 ml.
• There are more than a quarter of active sperm.
• Less than half are weakly mobile.
• Correct morphology – more than 50%.
• Leukocytes – 1-2.
• Red blood cells are absent.

With teratozoospermia, sperm of correct morphology is less than half. When a diagnosis is made, the teratozoospermia index (ITI) is displayed. If the ITS value exceeds 1.7, the quality of the sperm is low, and the man has little chance of conceiving naturally.

If, according to the spermogram, the patient is diagnosed with teratozoospermia, it is better to start drug treatment after additional examination. A good urologist-andrologist will recommend that the patient undergo:

• Ultrasound of the prostate and scrotum.
• MAR test to study the concentration of antisperm antibodies.
• HBA test to assess sperm maturity.
• Genetic tests.
• Blood test for hormones.

If you have sexually transmitted diseases, you may need to undergo other tests that your doctor will prescribe.

Features of treatment

First of all, during treatment it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the appearance of defective sperm. If it is inflammation, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs are prescribed. For varicocele in adult men, surgery may be indicated.

Taking medications

To increase the number of normal sperm, a man is prescribed vitamin therapy. It is recommended to take courses:

• Folic acid.
• Vitamins E and C.
• Succinic acid.
• Vitamin complexes, which include zinc, selenium, iodine.

Biological supplements to improve sperm quality:

• L-carnitine.
• Spermactin.
• Tribestan.
• Gerimaks with ginseng

Sometimes doctors recommend taking it. This is necessary if the spermogram analysis reveals not only the presence of defective sperm, but also their small number. As the volume of ejaculate increases, the number of healthy sperm also increases.

Folk recipes

Is teratozoospermia in men treated using traditional medicine? The recipes below will help improve sperm quality. But it is better to first coordinate the use of these medications with your doctor.

1. Decoction of currant leaves. It must be brewed like tea: 1-2 tbsp. spoons per glass of boiling water. Drink in the morning and evening for three months. Vitamin C, contained in currant leaves, boosts the body's immune forces and helps normalize regeneration processes.
2. Infusion of plantain leaves, nettle, birch buds. A glass of boiling water is used to brew a mixture consisting of 1 teaspoon of each component. The medicine is taken 3 times a day, before meals, for two weeks.
3. Pumpkin. Fresh pumpkin juice, pumpkin pulp, seeds, even pumpkin porridge have medicinal properties.
4. Immune mixture: nuts, honey, lemon. All components are taken in equal parts and ground in a meat grinder. The mixture is infused for a day in a cold place, then every day in the morning, on an empty stomach, you need to eat 1 teaspoon of the medicine. The treatment period is not limited.

Remember! Traditional treatment only complements traditional treatment, without replacing it completely.

Additional measures

A man's nutrition is of great importance. The diet should be adjusted so that the daily diet includes foods containing vitamins that stimulate sperm development. Avoiding fatty foods, Coca-Cola, fast food, marinades, and mayonnaise will not only increase your chances of conceiving, but also improve your overall health.

The main thing is to completely change your lifestyle. Reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke and drink less alcohol. Replace the bathhouse and sauna with a cool shower and swimming in the pool. Sitting on the couch in the evenings for walks and active sports: running, playing tennis, cycling.

How to treat infertility in men

How to get pregnant if you can’t get treatment?

Artificial insemination for teratozoospermia is not permissible, since in this case defective sperm can fertilize the egg and pregnancy will occur, but the risk of miscarriage or the birth of a child with genetic abnormalities is very high.

In case of teratozoospermia, IVF is indicated. The embryologist first selects motile spermatozoa from the ejaculate that do not have defects. In addition, it is possible to perform ICSI, a procedure in which the egg is not removed from the woman, but is fertilized directly in the ovary by healthy sperm.

If the cause of infertility is only teratozoospermia, IVF and ICSI provide a 99% chance of giving birth to a healthy child.

Is it possible to get pregnant with poor sperm count?

Possible consequences of pathology

Some people believe that since there are no external signs of the disease, then there is no need to treat it. It is difficult for someone to part with their usual way of life and at some point the man decides that he will not treat teratozoospermia. Where it leads?

The patient's general health will not worsen. He will not feel pain or discomfort. Libido or erectile function are also not affected. The only consequence is infertility. Every year it will become more and more difficult to cure it.. And if at 20 years old a person can simply take a course of vitamins, at 40 he will need to follow a strict diet, take special medications and completely change his lifestyle.

It should be noted that treatment of teratozoospermia in men can take a long period of time, but the result is worth it.

Attention, TODAY only!

One of the most important conditions for successful natural conception is a large number of healthy, morphologically correct sperm. A condition in which the number of pathological sperm exceeds the permissible norm is called teratozoospermia.

Types of disease

The reasons leading to changes in sperm morphology can be both diseases and lifestyle
Depending on the location of the pathology, the following types of teratozoospermia are distinguished:

1. Tail changes, which lead to difficulty in the movement of the cell along the female genital tract and thereby complicate its meeting with the egg:

• insufficient size;
• twist;
• plurality.

2. Head changes, which are considered the most severe pathologies, since they make it difficult for sperm to penetrate into the egg, the formation of a fertilized egg and increase the likelihood of miscarriages and frozen pregnancies:

• abnormal size (too big or small);
• irregular shape (in the form of a circle or cone);
• increase in quantity;
• changes in the front part, called the acrosome;
• abnormalities of chromatin (DNA complex), which normally must be reliably protected to protect DNA from external influences during movement through the genital tract.

3. Cervical changes, which affect the mobility of the tail:

• lack of symmetry when fastening;
• changes in the midsection (too thick or thin);
• obtuse angle.

Teratozoospermia index

Sperm defects are very often multiple in nature, which is why there is such a thing as the teratozoospermia index, sometimes called the multiple anomaly index. It is used to calculate the average number of abnormal changes per sperm. This is necessary in order to formulate a fertility prognosis.

If the teratozoospermia index is 1, this means that there is an average of 1 defect per cell. A value from 1 to 1.6 is considered normal.

Main reasons

Many reasons that can cause teratozoospermia can be grouped into several groups:

1. Diseases of the testicles and appendages of various types:

• infectious viral (orchitis, mumps, emididymitis, as well as sexually transmitted diseases);
• pathologies of the circulatory system (varicocele);
• benign and malignant tumors.

2. Diseases of the vas deferens with or without obstruction (for example, cysts).

3. Endocrine changes, including systemic diseases - for example, diabetes mellitus.

4. Genetic reasons.

5. External factors:

• intoxication of any nature (alcohol, chemical, nicotine and others);
• exposure to radiation;
• exposure to high temperatures;
• stress.

Thus, the reasons influencing the appearance of teratozoospermia are largely identical to those that determine the development of other sperm pathologies - oligozoospermia, pyospermia.

What tests should I take?

The most important analysis that will determine the presence of pathology is. The diagnosis of “teratozoospermia” is made if at least two spermograms confirm the presence of a large number of abnormal sperm. In this case, the interval between tests should be at least 2-3 weeks, and it is better to take them in different laboratories.

Acceptable norms for the content of abnormal sperm depend on the assessment methods used in a particular laboratory. So, if during a normal study under a microscope their proportion should not exceed 50%, then when using the Kruger method, a figure of 70% is allowed, and if strict Kruger criteria are applied - 85%.

In addition, before starting treatment for teratozoospermia in men, the doctor must establish the reasons that caused it. For this purpose, blood tests (biochemical, hormones, etc.), ultrasound and other studies are prescribed.

How to treat teratozoospermia

Folk remedies are an addition to drug and surgical treatment.

Is it possible to cure teratozoospermia? The answer largely depends on the reasons that caused its appearance and on the degree of development of the process. If we are talking about harmful external influences, poor diet and lifestyle, then treatment primarily consists of eliminating these factors.

In the presence of obstruction, surgical intervention is required, in case of infectious diseases - viral and antibacterial therapy, in case of endocrine diseases - regulation of hormonal levels. In addition, general strengthening agents and minerals are effective - folic acid, L-carnitine, iodomarin, selenium, zinc and others. Treatment with folk remedies as an additional treatment is also acceptable; The quality of the seed is increased by pumpkin juice, a mixture of dried fruits and nuts, and honey.

Is it possible to get pregnant naturally?

The likelihood of pregnancy occurring naturally depends largely on how many morphologically abnormal sperm are found in the ejaculate. However, it is important to remember that it is advisable to plan pregnancy only after complete recovery, since, as mentioned above, teratozoospermia contributes to the formation of fetal abnormalities, which lead to frozen pregnancies and miscarriages. If natural pregnancy does not occur, it is recommended to consider the possibility in which morphologically correct sperm are selected for fertilization.

Many married couples having difficulty conceiving begin to undergo various tests. Quite often, especially in recent years, the problem is found in men. One of the diseases leading to male infertility is teratozoospermia.

Some doctors, upon seeing a confirmed diagnosis, immediately recommend turning to assisted reproduction methods, in particular, in vitro fertilization and its varieties. However, before you decide to take extreme measures, it is worth learning more about this insidious disease. How are teratozoospermia and pregnancy related? Let's find out in this article.

Definition of disease

Teratozoospermia is a lesion of spermatozoa, which consists of a violation of their morphological structure. Often referred to colloquially as “ugly sperm disease.” Spermatozoa containing various genetic errors are not able to form a full-fledged, viable embryo.

Irregular shape of the tail, head, neck or all together also interferes with the normal process of movement towards the egg. Instead of smoothly sliding in a straight line, defective sperm move in different directions, backwards, or even remain in place. Most often, teratozoospermia and pregnancy are mutually exclusive concepts.

What is the danger?

The disease can create many obstacles that prevent a woman from becoming pregnant and carrying a child:

• impossibility of pregnancy;
• cessation of embryonic activity in the early stages;
• pathologies of fetal development leading to natural or forced termination of pregnancy;
• extremely high risk of embryo rejection and miscarriage.

Factors for making a conclusion about the presence of a disease

Let's look at how teratozoospermia and pregnancy are related.

It should be taken into account that in any portion of male semen submitted for examination to compile a spermogram, there will certainly be a certain number of abnormal sperm. This is a normal situation; moreover, this state of affairs is necessary for productive fertilization of the partner.

A huge number of sperm simultaneously moving towards the meeting place with the egg is dangerous because they will interfere with each other, crowding and preventing anyone from getting to the desired point. Morphologically erroneous cells can account for up to half of the total number. The diagnosis of “teratozoospermia” is made when less than 50% of spermatozoa have the correct structure.

Therefore, teratozoospermia and pregnancy cannot exist together.

Morphological abnormalities during the development of the disease

A normal sperm has strictly defined sizes and shapes of its constituent parts. The following disorders are considered pathological:

• Changes in the structure of the head - an increase or decrease in volume, bifurcation, absence of an acrosome - one of the chromosomes, determination of the presence of vacuole cells in the head, unnatural shapes.
• A curved, too thin or thick neck is considered the mildest form of teratozoospermia, in which a natural pregnancy and bearing a healthy fetus is possible.
• A tail that twists in the wrong direction, is elongated or shortened, especially if it is forked or too twisted, does not allow the sperm to reach the final goal, carrying out a chaotic or reverse movement.

Causes of the problem

Many people are interested in the question: “Teratozoospermia, what is it?”

The modern world is creating more and more risk factors that provoke the appearance of male infertility. The following reasons most often correspond to the development of teratozoospermia:

• abuse of drinks containing caffeine, substances that stimulate the release of energy;
• drinking alcohol, drugs, smoking;
• constant overheating of the groin area - baths, hot baths, laptop placed on the knees;
• long-term eating disorders - fasting or overeating, large amounts of fatty, sweet foods, smoked foods, marinades, salt;
• daily wearing of too tight underwear and clothes, which causes a decrease in blood supply to the testicles and a lack of oxygen in the cells;
• external factors - polluted habitat, radiation exposure;
• a sedentary lifestyle, especially complicated by excess weight;
• work associated with constant heavy physical labor or daily stress, an overly busy schedule, lack of rest and sleep;
• hereditary disorders caused by a genetic malfunction that has become established in the offspring;
• diseases of the endocrine system, problems with the functioning of the thyroid gland;
• diseases of the urinary system and genital organs of various etiologies - viral or bacterial, varicose veins of the testicles (varicocele), prostatitis, orchitis, urethritis, neoplasms, both benign and malignant.

In these cases, teratozoospermia is possible. The reasons for the occurrence may be other.

Most of the causes of the disease are provoked by the man himself, refusing to take care of his health. Unfortunately, in Russia there is still a widespread opinion that the inability to have children is solely the fault of the woman.

Reproductive capabilities

What treatment can be given if teratozoospermia is diagnosed? Who did it help? Reviews can be found further in the article.

The conclusion about the presence of teratozoospermia is not always a verdict meaning a man’s infertility. The number of remaining healthy sperm, the degree of damage to the abnormal ones, as well as other spermogram indicators should be taken into account. It is advisable to perform the analysis in as much detail as possible, in this case the field for the final conclusion will expand.

If there are 50-80% of morphologically healthy cells, the probability of pregnancy naturally remains quite high, but it may take more time for conception to occur. However, within 2-3 years the couple usually has a healthy baby. It is worth considering that this is a fairly average indicator, the period often increases, sometimes decreases.

Teratozoospermia and IVF

If the disease has affected more than 80-90% of sperm, the method of alternative fertilization - IVF - is usually recommended. The advantages lie in the selection of only healthy male germ cells and their guaranteed connection with female eggs in an environment as close to natural as possible. After a successful manipulation, several embryos are transferred to the woman’s uterus, where further gestation occurs.

ICSI is a much more effective procedure. The technique is indicated for severe male infertility, including when there is teratozoospermia. Treatment and pregnancy are interconnected.

ICSI is successfully carried out even if only one normal sperm is found in the ejaculate, which is quite rare. The difference from IVF is only in the method of fertilization of the egg - in this case, the sperm is injected with a thin needle to precisely end up in the right place.

There are cases when, with a relatively normal number of healthy sperm, pregnancy does not occur. This may be due to the structural features of the woman’s body, for example, with the curvature of the uterus. In such situations, an artificial insemination procedure is often sufficient, in which a portion of ejaculate, specially treated with drugs that improve its quality, is introduced into the uterine cavity during the ovulation cycle - egg maturation.

Treatment effectiveness

How effective is treatment for a diagnosis of teratozoospermia? Who did it help?