Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OL-i-go-as-THE-no-TER-ah-to-zo-SPER-mee-ah), or OAT, is a condition that includes oligozoospermia (low number of sperm), asthenozoospermia (poor sperm movement), and teratozoospermia (abnormal sperm shape). It is the most common cause of male subfertility. Subfertility is a condition where a man has been unable to get a woman pregnant after one year of unprotected regular sex. The causes of OAT include genetics, infections, hormonal imbalance, a varicocele, and the use of certain drugs. Other causes include problems with the immune system, smoking, drinking alcohol, and using illegal drugs. The male reproductive system includes the testicles, prostate, penis, scrotum, vas deferens, epididymis, and seminal ducts. Each testicle inside the scrotum produces sperm.
  
  
• Signs and symptoms include being unable to produce a child, and increased body hair and breast tissue. A whitish to yellowish discharge from the penis may be seen. A mass or swelling on the scrotum that feels like a bag of worms may also be present. A complete physical, reproductive, and sexual health history may be needed to diagnose OAT. Diagnostic tests may include semen and sperm analysis, blood tests, a scrotal ultrasound, spermatic venography, and genetic screening. Treatment may include medicines, sperm extraction, surgery to remove a varicocele, and percutaneous embolization. With treatment, such as medicine and sperm extraction, your infertility may be resolved and your partner may conceive.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Bathing: When you are allowed to bathe or shower, carefully wash your stitches or staples with soap and water. Afterwards, put on a clean, new bandage. Change your bandage any time it gets wet or dirty. If you cannot reach the bandage, ask someone else to help you change it. You may have steri-strips (thin strips of tape) on your incision. Keep them clean and dry. As they start to peel off, let them fall off by themselves. Do not pull them off.

Diet: Eat a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups every day. Include whole grain bread, cereal, rice and pasta. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, including dark green and orange vegetables and legumes (dry beans). Include dairy products such as low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese. Choose protein sources such as lean meat and poultry (chicken), fish, beans, eggs and nuts. Ask your caregiver how many servings of fats, oils, and sweets you may have each day, and if you need to be on a special diet.

Self-care:

• Avoid pesticides: Chemicals, such as pesticides, may lower your sperm count.
  
  
• Have frequent sex: Frequent sex increases the number of healthy sperm.
  
  
• Reduce alcohol intake: Alcohol decreases sperm production. It is found in beer, wine, liquor, such as vodka and whiskey, and in other adult drinks.
  
  
• Stop smoking: Nicotine may affect the condition of the semen.
  
  
• Wear appropriate clothes and avoid hot baths: Heat decreases sperm production. Wearing underwear, such as briefs, keeps testicles close to the body. This warms up the testicles and may decrease sperm production. Underwear, such as boxers, do not keep testicles as close to the body.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have chills or feel weak and achy.
  
  
• You see some changes in your body, such as increased body fat, body hair, or breast tissue.
  
  
• You have pain in the groin area that does not go away.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your bandage becomes soaked with blood.
  
  
• You feel very sad and depressed, or you want to harm yourself or someone else.
  
  
• You feel very full and cannot burp or vomit (throw up).
  
  
• You have an abnormal discharge from your penis.
  
  
• You have pus or a foul-smelling odor coming from your incision.
  
  
• You have severe (bad) chest or shoulder pain and trouble breathing all of a sudden.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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