Surgical Sperm Retrieval (TESA/PESA)
Some men do not have any sperms in the semen that is ejaculated or they may have certain medical conditions which prevent ejaculation. In these cases sperm can be obtained directly from the testicles (TESA: Testicular Sperm Aspiration) or from the epididymis (PESA: Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration). Both are minor procedures done with a fine needle under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation. The process usually takes about 20–30 minutes and does not require hospital admission. After the procedure, men may experience mild soreness, swelling, or bruising at the site for a day or two, but this settles quickly with simple pain relief if needed. Most men are able to return to normal work and routine activities within 24 hours, while heavy exercise, cycling, or sexual activity is usually avoided for 2–3 days after the procedure.
For whom?
Surgical sperm retrieval is recommended for men who do not have sperm in their ejaculate or are unable to ejaculate naturally due to certain medical or structural conditions.
It’s especially relevant if:
- You have azoospermia (no sperm seen in the semen) due to obstruction or non-obstructive causes.
- You have had a vasectomy or were born without a vas deferens, and sperm cannot reach the ejaculate.
- You are unable to ejaculate because of a spinal cord injury or other medical condition.
You are undergoing ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) and need sperm retrieved directly from the testis or epididymis. - You wish to freeze retrieved sperm for future use in fertility treatments.
Surgical Sperm Retrieval (TESA/PESA)
Some men do not have any sperms in the semen that is ejaculated or they may have certain medical conditions which prevent ejaculation. In these cases sperm can be obtained directly from the testicles (TESA: Testicular Sperm Aspiration) or from the epididymis (PESA: Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration). Both are minor procedures done with a fine needle under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation. The process usually takes about 20–30 minutes and does not require hospital admission. After the procedure, men may experience mild soreness, swelling, or bruising at the site for a day or two, but this settles quickly with simple pain relief if needed. Most men are able to return to normal work and routine activities within 24 hours, while heavy exercise, cycling, or sexual activity is usually avoided for 2–3 days after the procedure.
For whom?
Surgical sperm retrieval is recommended for men who do not have sperm in their ejaculate or are unable to ejaculate naturally due to certain medical or structural conditions.
It’s especially relevant if:
- You have azoospermia (no sperm seen in the semen) due to obstruction or non-obstructive causes.
- You have had a vasectomy or were born without a vas deferens, and sperm cannot reach the ejaculate.
- You are unable to ejaculate because of a spinal cord injury or other medical condition.
You are undergoing ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) and need sperm retrieved directly from the testis or epididymis. - You wish to freeze retrieved sperm for future use in fertility treatments.
