In this episode we asked Dr. Eisenberg about varicoceles. Varicoceles are an enlarged bundle of veins in the scrotum. They are very common and can significantly impact a man’s fertility. Here’s what Dr. Eisenberg had to say about them…
Prevalence
- 15% of all men have a varicocele
- 40% of men with fertility issues have them
- 60-80% of men with secondary infertility (has fathered a child before but can’t now) have them
How varicoceles impact fertility
- Increased blood in scrotum raises temperature and can cook your balls from the inside
- Reduced blood flow away from the testicle increases the amount of toxins and hazardous molecules that can hurt sperm
- Increased internal pressure can reduce testicular function
Symptoms
- Heaviness after long hours standing
- Dull pain
- Hanging particularly low
- Visible enlarged veins in the scrotum
- Feeling like a “bag of worms”
What can you do about it?
- Varicocelectomy: surgery to cut out enlarged veins
- Varicocele embolization: a thin catheter inserts clotting agents that seal off the the veins
- Assisted reproduction: depending on the severity of the varicocele, techniques like IUI, IVF and ICSI may be used to assist conception.
Sara SDx
