A varicocele (VAIR-ick-oh-seal) is indeed a common disorder that enlarges the veins in one’s scrotum. One’s scrotum is the pouch of skin behind one’s penis that contains the testes (testicles). Varicoceles are similar to varicose veins. Varicose veins cause veins in one’s legs to swell and also lose their shape.
Varicoceles are not life-threatening. Yet, a varicocele can be very serious if trying to have a biological child.
Varicoceles can affect fertility and contribute to about 40% of all cases of male infertility. Yet, several people with varicoceles have no problems achieving pregnancy.
Medical experts do not understand what role varicoceles tend to play in infertility. The temperature inside one’s scrotum may increase due to the buildup of blood in the person’s veins. The higher temperature affecting both testicles can affect sperm count or production.
Discussing with a healthcare provider if suspecting having infertility.
Varicoceles affect 15% to 20% of all men in the United States, about 1 in 5. A varicocele is indeed more likely to occur on the left side of one’s scrotum due to differences in the processes of blood draining from the left testicle back into the major veins of one’s body. Less commonly, it can rather affect the right side or even both sides.
Larger varicoceles can feel or look like a bag of worms or spaghetti. They can indeed cause mild discomfort, aches, or even pains. Smaller varicoceles can be too small to see or even feel.
Healthcare providers and medical experts are not sure how varicocele develops. Few believe that a faulty “switch” (valve) inside certain veins in the spermatic cord may rather cause them. The spermatic cord is a band of tissues that holds one’s testicles in place. These veins return blood from the testicles to the body. The valve does act as a sort of “on/off” switch. It has, of course, two flap-like structures that tend to help blood move back toward one’s heart. When a valve does not work the way it should, blood can build up inside the veins in one’s testicles. Over time, the veins do swell.
Varicoceles can affect any person with testicles at any age. Healthcare providers do believe that several varicoceles are present at birth (congenital). People often notice a varicocele during their teenage years. Medical experts do suspect this can have to do with puberty, when blood flow to one’s genitals increases. In a few cases, the varicocele can prevent one’s testicle from growing properly.
There is not sufficient research to definitively say that varicoceles cause erectile dysfunction (ED), but there can be a link. A few studies do show that people who do receive varicocele treatment can still sometimes fail to achieve an erection, but not as often.
Thus, varicocele causes are indeed a relatively common condition, affecting nearly 15% of men, where the veins of the scrotum do start bulging out, resembling varicose veins that impact the legs. If you are wondering what varicocele is and if it has an impact on fertility, the answer is no doubt in the affirmative. Varicocele is a cause of male infertility, although it doesn’t need to lead to male infertility.
Varicoceles tend to develop as a consequence of poor functioning of the valves that are found in the veins in this region.
The scrotum happens to be the part of one’s body that contains the testicles. When the veins of this loose bag of skin tend to enlarge, it is known as a varicocele. It is known to cause infertility among men. The exact cause behind its occurrence is not known. Varicocele can be treated only through surgery, like microsurgical Varicocele: do repair or embolization. Varicoceles develop over some time and can impact adolescents as well.
If experiencing any of the varicocele causes associated with varicocele, it is advisable to consult a professional at the earliest.
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