While most people have heard of varicose veins, they assume it could only affect the legs. However, this isn’t true, as any vein could enlarge. Varicose veins are common in the scrotum, with 30% of men experiencing it. This disorder is called varicocele. Varicocele occurs when blood pools in the scrotum instead of draining the skin.
Although varicocele can happen to a man of any age, it is more common in puberty. It develops gradually and, in severe cases, could cause infertility. The disease mainly affects the left scrotum due to anatomical differences.
Symptoms of varicocele
Varicocele is usually asymptomatic. Most men don’t develop symptoms and might not even know they have it. Despite this, it can present with dull testicular pain, which worsens when standing upright and lessens when lying down. The testicles might be different sizes as the one with varicocele will appear smaller. Furthermore, the disease affects sperm production leading to changes in fertility.
Fortunately, impaired fertility is not common with varicocele, as 10% and 20% of men with the disease will have trouble having a child. Despite this, varicocele is among men’s most common causes of fertility (40%).
How varicocele affects fertility
Varicocele affects fertility as it changes the temperate in the testicles. As a result, the testicles produce sperm at a temperature 4° lower than the rest of the body. It explains why the scrotum and testes are outside the body. Varicocele, on the other hand, increases this temperature, lowering sperm count. For this reason, men who struggle with fertility should avoid saunas and hot tubs.
Varicocele doesn’t always require treatment. If the patient has no symptoms, surgery should be unnecessary. However, if the varicocele causes scrotal pain or affects fertility, the doctor will recommend an operation.
The goal of surgery is to ligate the veins that are causing the disease and preserve blood flow through the scrotal vessels. Although this treatment could relieve the pain and treat infertility, the appearance might remain the same.
Varicoceles usually develop gradually. For this reason, a varicocele that develops suddenly should receive immediate treatment as it could signify a more serious problem.
