Varicocele and Man’s Fertility
In simple terms, a varicocele is a varicose vein located specifically on the testes; this condition is appropriately described as having abnormal dilatation in certain testicular veins. This can be a source of problems since it will hinder a normal blood flow; blood can build up in the scrotum, which will likely cause a negative effect in semen production.
Varicoceles are usually painless, although it’s not uncommon for men who have this problem to report how it causes certain discomfort. They can vary in size, with some being quite apparent and others being only noticeable by touch or feeling. Normally, a varicocele will seem more noticeable when the patient is standing since gravity induces a blood pooling effect upon the scrotum.
While varicoceles aren’t necessarily an alarming condition, they may be troublesome… especially in older men (age 40 and above). The real problem here is how the dilated vein can indicate a blockage in nearby arteries, or even the possibility that a tumour has developed. To be safe, it’s best to consult with a medical doctor and get appropriate evaluation, if you feel you may have this kind of problem.
– 1 in 7 males develop this condition within the age group , and it’s regarded by doctors as the most common and most easily fixable cause of male infertility in younger age groups. In this case, varicoseles can be corrected with minor surgery, although unless the affected young man experiences much discomfort or unless the varicose interferes with fertility or normal testicular development, such option may even be disregarded.
Varicose surgery is either performed by tying off the enlarged veins or otherwise isolating them through injection of a special substance. While it’s a simple and nearly fail-proof procedure, it’s not a permanent solution, since the nearby veins may end up dilating to accommodate the increased blood flow. In that case, a follow-up surgery may be required after a few months or years.
Modern research has established a clear connection between infertility and testicular varicocele. This is due to the pooled blood effect, which interferes with the ideal temperature of the scrotum, thereby hindering the effectiveness and quality of sperm production. Just one varicocele vein in one of the tests can lead to a shift in the normal testicular temperature that will disrupt the normal function of the testicles.
As a matter of fact, around 40% of all young men with limited or no fertility has varicocele veins. On the other hand, about 15% of all fertile young men also have a Varicocele, which means that having this condition won’t necessarily translate in infertility.
Most importantly: in many cases, fertility can be improved after varicocele veins are treated. Also, this is an easily treatable condition… there’s no reason to be much be alarmed about it. Also, even if treating your Varicose doesn’t seem to fix your fertility issues… you must keep in mind there are several other options.