Azoospermia and Male Infertility: Advanced Treatment in Turkey
Male factor infertility contributes to approximately half of all cases of couple infertility. Azoospermia — the complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate — affects approximately one percent of men and up to fifteen percent of infertile men. Turkey’s leading fertility and urology centres offer the full spectrum of male infertility assessment including micro-TESE, the gold standard for sperm retrieval in non-obstructive azoospermia.
Types of Azoospermia
Obstructive azoospermia (OA) occurs when sperm production is normal but a blockage prevents sperm from reaching the ejaculate — vasectomy, epididymal obstruction or congenital absence of the vas deferens. Sperm retrieval is typically straightforward in OA.
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) results from impaired sperm production. Causes include Klinefelter syndrome, Y chromosome microdeletions, previous chemotherapy and idiopathic testicular failure. Retrieval is more challenging but possible in many cases.
Surgical Sperm Retrieval
PESA: Needle aspiration from the epididymis. Minimally invasive, suitable for OA.
TESA/TESE: Testicular aspiration or biopsy. More invasive, higher sperm yield.
Micro-TESE: The gold standard for NOA. Using an operating microscope, the surgeon identifies tubules most likely to contain sperm. Achieves retrieval in 50-60% of NOA patients — significantly better than conventional TESE. Requires specialist microsurgical expertise available at Turkey’s leading andrology centres.
Comprehensive Male Fertility Assessment
Turkey’s andrology centres offer full male fertility workup: semen analysis, hormonal profile (FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin), genetic testing (karyotype, Y chromosome microdeletion analysis) and scrotal ultrasound. This assessment can be performed as a standalone service or integrated into a couple’s IVF treatment plan.
Costs in Turkey
Comprehensive male fertility assessment in Turkey costs €300–€600. Micro-TESE procedure costs €2,000–€4,000 — compared to €5,000–€10,000 in Western Europe. Find a verified fertility specialist at drvisor.com.