Testicular Sperm Aspiration, or TESA process is one of the best and newest techniques for sperm retrieval. This treatment is perfect for men suffering from Azoospermia. It is a condition where there is a lack of adequate sperm in the ejaculate. With the introduction of ICSI and sperm blockage treatment, many men with azoospermic problems have become biological fathers. It is possible by acquiring sperm from the testis or epididymis.
When Should Men Go For TESA?
Poor sperm quality or count can act as a significant fertility roadblock, impacting the journey of parenthood. The TESA process is an outstanding breakthrough in directly extracting sperm from the testis of the men. The reasons or circumstances when people should opt for TESA are as follows.
- The sperm is not found in semen because of some blockage, a condition known as Azoospermia
- Low sperm quality
- Genetic conditions such as Klinefelter syndrome affect sperm production
- Ejaculation trouble
- People who have undergone vasectomy or are undergoing cancer treatments
How is the TESA Process done?
At first, the doctor numbs the testicles and the skin surrounding them through local anaesthesia. Next, they perform the TESA by inserting a needle directly in the testis. Through this needle, they aspirate tissues and fluid from the testis using negative pressure. The process takes 20 to 30 minutes for retrieval. The doctors then process the sample for extracting the sperm cells inside the embryology laboratory through Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection or ICSI. The doctors retrieve a single sperm and directly inject it into an egg for fertilization.
The sperm cells, bypass the epididymis, are usually less mature and require ICSI for fertilization. They will need ICSI as the testicular sperms are immature. ICSI is a process in which doctors will take a single sperm from the semen and inject it directly inside the egg. No special preparation is needed for this sperm blockage treatment. The doctor will discuss this procedure’s timing along with your IVF cycle.
Success Rate and Recovery Process of TESA
Since there are no stitches or incisions on your scrotum or testicles in this TESA process, the recovery time is minimal. However, you should not lift heavy weights or engage in strenuous exercise for 7 days. Generally, TESA has minimal to no side effects, but in rare cases, infection and bleeding can occur.
There is a 100% success rate in sperm recovery through the TESA procedure. The overall CPR (Clinical Pregnancy Rate) for each cycle is 34%, with a mean of 1.1 embryos transferred for each transfer.
FAQ
Is the TESA process painful?
Individuals undergoing TESA are sedated before the procedure, which is complex. Thus, there will be no pain felt during the surgical process. However, the person can feel discomfort after the sedation effect wears off.
Final words
TESA, a minimally invasive process, is highly effective for sperm retrieval. It is efficient in getting viable sperm to use in the IVF. So, if you have obstructive Azoospermia and want to overcome male infertility, TESA is an ideal process for you.
