Varicoceles are similar to varicose veins, but they occur around the testicles rather than the legs. They do not usually cause any serious problems, but they can impact male fertility.
They happen when certain veins in the scrotum become enlarged, due to a malfunction in some of the valves involved in pumping the blood. They affect around 15 percent of males, and they tend to form between the ages of 15 and 25 years.
Varicoceles normally affect just one side, usually the left.
This article will look at the causes, symptoms and treatments of varicoceles.
- Varicoceles are similar to varicose veins but they affect the testicular area in men.
- They are thought to affect 15 percent of men, usually between the age of 15 and 25 years.
- The exact cause is unknown, but it may be similar to that of varicose veins.
- They are not usually painful.
- Varicoceles are not usually serious, but complications include fertility problems.
- Surgery is possible, if complications arise.
A varicocele is an enlargement of the veins in the scrotum, the the bag that contains the testes. They are similar to varicose veins of the leg.
They affect a type of vein known as the pampiniform plexus.
The pampiniform plexus is found in the spermatic cord. This cord also holds the vas deferens, the tube that carries sperm, and the testicular artery, which transports blood to the testicles.
The creation of sperm is most efficient at around 34.5 degrees Celsius, or 94.1 degrees Fahrenheit, rather than the body’s standard 37 degrees Celsius. This is one reason why the testes are physically separate from the trunk of the body.
The main role of the pampiniform plexus is to cool the arterial blood before it reaches the sperm. It does this through a “heat exchange” mechanism.
Varicoceles can disrupt this cooling system. This can prevent the testicles from producing good quality sperm.
Treatment is not usually necessary, unless there is:
- pain and discomfort
- a low sperm count
- infertility that has continued for at least 2 years and is otherwise unexplained
In these cases, surgery may be recommended.
Three surgical options are possible:
Varicocelectomy: Open surgery is performed under local or general anesthetic. The surgeon will access the area through the groin, or less commonly, through the abdomen or upper thigh. Using ultrasound and surgical microscopes, they will close the affected veins to reroute the blood through other, healthier vessels. Post-surgical pain is normally minimal, and the individual can soon return to normal activities.
Laparoscopic surgery: The surgeon makes a small incision in the abdomen and passes a tiny surgical instrument through the opening.
Percutaneous embolization: A radiologist inserts a tube, or catheter, into the body through the neck or groin. Instruments are passed through the tube, and the surgeon uses coils or chemicals to block the vein by scarring it. This is a minimally invasive intervention. It can be done as an outpatient procedure, and recovery time is relatively short.
Risks of surgery
These procedures are relatively safe but, as with any surgery, there are some risks.
These include:
- artery damage
- further testicular atrophy
- infection
- bruising, swelling, or a buildup of fluids in the area
- abdominal pain
Rarely, a renal vein thrombosis may develop. This can affect the kidney and may need further surgery.
Sometimes, the veins through which the blood passes after surgery also enlarge. Further treatment may then be necessary.
Varicoceles rarely cause pain, but if they do, the pain will probably:
- be worse when standing or during physical exertion
- vary from sharp to dull pain
- decrease when lying on your back
- worsen as the day goes on
Varicoceles will often go unnoticed, but a physician may notice them during a medical examination.
However, the individual should see a doctor if they notice:
- any change in the size, shape, or appearance of the testes
- a lump
- fertility problems
- swelling in the scrotum
- veins that show as unusually large or twisted
In some cases, a varicocele can lead to complications.
Infertility
Infertility is the most serious complication that can occur. It probably happens because the increased amount of blood in the region raises the temperature of the testicles.
Between 35 and 44 percent of men with primary infertility have varicoceles. Primary infertility is when a couple have not successfully conceived after 12 months of trying.
Varicoceles affect 45 to 81 percent of men with secondary infertility. This is when a couple has been able to conceive at least once but are no longer able to.
Research published in 2016 found that, out of 7,035 healthy young men who were surveyed from 1996 to 2010, 15.7 percent had varicoceles. Those with varicoceles also had poorer semen quality.
Sperm production is most efficient at a temperature slightly lower than body temperature.
Testicle shrinkage
A varicocele can lead to testicular atrophy, or shrinkage. Sperm-producing tubules make up the bulk of the testicle. If they are damaged, the testicle might become smaller and softer.
Hormone imbalances
As the cells react to the increase in pressure, a change in hormones can result. There may be higher levels of luteinizing hormone (LH). This hormone is present in both men and women, but it is higher in women. There may also be normal-to-subnormal levels of testosterone.
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