A Varicocele is an abnormal dilatation in veins draining the testicles inside the scrotum, they are often the cause of lower sperm count and motility. The stagnation of blood in small blood vessels increase chances of infection and cause painful intercourse thus affecting sexuality and reproduction.
Varicocele
Varicocele can reduce sperm quality and decrease its production, which can affect a male’s reproductive ability. Varicoceles can also prevent testicles from developing normally or make them shrink with time. Varicocele (varicose veins of the testicle) do not always need treatment unless they are painful or affect fertility negatively, it is a condition that is easily diagnosed and surgically treated
Does Varicocele Cause Infertility?
The expansion of blood vessels in the groin may increase the natural temperature inside the scrotum which is normally 1 or 2 degrees lower than the rest of the body. This rise in temperature doctors believe may adversely affect sperm production, quality and movement.
Varicocele if an underlying reason for scrotal pain or decreased fertility should be treated.
Varicocele infertility treatment
Varicocele need to be diagnosed, graded and the method of treatment decided upon. If you feel heaviness in scrotum, a scrotal mass, enlarged veins, dull or sharp pain and have fertility issues you should consult an andrologist. The andrologist will make a diagnosis based on a physical exam of the scrotum, a doppler ultrasound to evaluate the blood flow inside the scrotum and sometimes a semen analysis.
If treatment is required, the doctor decides on the best way to restore the normal blood stream in the testicles.
Three ways of treating a testicular varicocele with surgical intervention (Laparoscopic treatment)
Microscopic varicocele removal
the surgeon makes a 1 cm incision over the scrotum, and using the microscope, the surgeon binds all dilated veins, the operation takes around an hour to complete and the patient leaves the hospital on the same day.
Laparoscopic treatment of varicocele
The surgeon makes one or more small incisions in abdomen or groin. Inserts a trocar with camera, locates the varicocele and does a varicocelectomy. This operation takes about 30-40 minutes to complete. The patient is discharged on the same day.
Percutaneous embolization
An ultrasound guided procedure that uses a catheter to inject a substance or puts a coil to diverts the blood flow from the varicocele. This varicocele (dilation in veins) with no blood flowing through it shrinks and obliterates. The patient is discharged on the same day.
Conservative varicocele treatment
There is no medicinal treatment for varicocele, if they are painful a simple painkiller could be taken. Being healthy and maintaining an average weight for your height can reduce the severity of varicocele. Bedaya Hospital advices you a healthy balanced diet, regular exercise and to wear breathable cotton underwear.
Varicocele and infertility
Varicocele because it does not affect sexual abilities and is not always accompanied by pain is often a coincidental finding. A patient often seeks an andrologist for infertility and a sperm analysis is done. If the semen analysis does not meet up with the WHO criteria for a normal semen analysis, further investigation is required, and the varicocele often diagnosed.
Can a varicocele patient get a woman pregnant?
Varicocele patients with a normal semen analysis can of course fertilize eggs and result in pregnancy.
