Azoospermia is a condition of low or no sperm count. One of the most common complaints causing male infertility, azoospermia can be treated in a cost-effective way enabling many couples to conceive.When men were found to have very low or zero sperm counts, doctors used to order a battery of hormone tests to determine whether the testes were receiving normal levels of follicle stimulating hormone, also known as FSH. The purpose of follicle stimulating hormone is to stimulate the maturation and release of individual sperm from the “stalks” on which they grow.

The idea used to be that if men had high levels of FSH, then they did not have obstructive azoospermia. That is, if a man’s body was trying really hard to make sperm, sending out more and more FSH, then there was no possibility of finding “pockets” of sperm production that in turn could be used in in vitro fertilization.

Nowadays many doctors will save the expense of FSH testing and go straight to biopsy. However, before you authorize this procedure, make doubly sure your doctor has eliminated the possibility that you have obstructive azoospermia. Surgical treatment of a problem with a vein can be far more successful and far less expensive than IVF.

Generally speaking, “alternative” methods of azoospermia as a cause of male infertility are not a wise investment of money. Many clinics in India advertise “discount” male infertility treatment, which turns out to be yoga instruction.

Herbal remedies occasionally help obstructive azoospermia, but they need to be prescribed by an herbalist with specific knowledge of and experience with male infertility. The herbal formulas that treat obstructive azoospermia caused by inflammation after sexual transmitted disease are not the herbal formulas that might restore the testicular “plumbing” after chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

Nutritional supplements are often helpful when the problem is a low sperm count, but they are almost never helpful when the problem is no sperm count. L-carnitine, folic acid, and zinc will not cause problems and they are inexpensive, but no man seeking to become a father who has been diagnosed with azoospermia should rely on nutritional supplements just to save money, when other treatments are available.

Treatment cost is not the only consideration. Make sure you fully understand the possible causes of azoospermia and do not automatically say “yes” when your doctor leads you in the direction of an expensive treatment.