How does varicocele occur or what causes it?

Scrotal varicose vei: Varicocele:collection of dilated (varicose) veins in the scrotum. Most common cause of male infertility. Usu in young men (15-30y)typically involves the left side but can be bilateral. Can present with pain or discovered during infertility work-up. While surgical repair often performed, embolization with interventional radiologist is safer, less invasive, and higher success rate (less recurrences).

Faulty venous valves: Between testis & major blood vessels allowing a column of blood to exert back pressure on delicate spermatic veins within scrotum. Varicocele can drain normally when subject is lying down which removes cause of back pressure. Veins enlarge to become varicose. Urologists have best & most reliable results if subject wishes to get rid of the problem. Biased intervention radiologists may disagree!

It is born with it..: Varicocele is an inborn venous valve defects of male spermatic veins. Some 15-20% of men have it.

Defective valves: A varicocele is a mass in the scrotum caused by defective valves in the testicular veins, which cause blood to pool, and the veins to expand. The pooling blood raises testicular temperature and affects testosterone and sperm production, which can affect fertility. Men can still have babies w/ this, but the odds are lower. Tx safely w/ varicocelectomy, ligation, or embolization.