What is varicocele?

Varicose veins: A varicocele is varicose or dilated veins in the scrotum or spermatic cord. These are more common on the left and are due to the absence of valves in the spermatic veins. Infertility may be a problem in 15% of men with varicocele but not all men with varicoceles will be infertile.

It is ...: It's an innate venous valve defects of spermatic veins leading to the dilation of pampiniform venous plexus above testis, which is just like varicose veins in lower legs and coined as varicocele for medical/technical communication. It exists in some 15-20% of adults, but present in some 35-40% of men evaluated for male infertility.

Enlarged veins : That means there is an enlarged vein around the testicle and the tubing from the testicles. Why is this important? It can cause pain in some men. The enlarged vein also carries more blood to the region and that can bring more heat which can lower the sperm count. So, sometimes this needs surgery to correct it.

Get it checked.: A varicocele is generally a benign condition caused by dilatation of the pampiniform plexus of spermatic veins. They usually occur on the left side. If there are no symptoms, dull ache, pain, or sense of fullness, usually nothing needs to be done. Minor pain can be conservatively managed with scrotal support & nsaids. Severe pain or infertility can be treated surgically by ligation of the vessels.

Usually nothing...: If there is no concern for infertility, symptom (pain in standing), poor testicular grow in children, do nothing as long as being asymptomatic. If concerned and related, microscopic varicocelectomy via inguinal incision by urologist is of choice although mini-invasive embolization by interventional radiologist can be done.

Varicocele is ...: Varicocele is an inborn spermatic venous valve disorder, manifesting its various degree along life, resulting from venous valve defect failing to keep up one-way central drainage toward heart, just like the varicose veins in the lower legs in many women and men.