Varicocele
A varicocele (VAR-ih-koe-seel) is an enlargement of the veins within the loose bag of skin that holds the testicles (scrotum). These veins transport oxygen-depleted blood from the testicles. A varicocele occurs when blood pools in the veins rather than circulating efficiently out of the scrotum.
Symptoms:-
Pain:
A dull, aching pain or discomfort is more likely when standing or late in the day. Lying down often relieves pain.
A mass in the scrotum:
If a varicocele is large enough, a mass like a “bag of worms” may be visible above the testicle. A smaller varicocele may be too small to see but noticeable by touch.
Differently sized testicles:
The affected testicle may be noticeably smaller than the other testicle.
Infertility:
A varicocele may lead to difficulty fathering a child, but not all varicoceles cause infertility.
Causes:-
The testicles receive oxygen rich blood from two testicular arteries one artery for each side of the scrotum. Similarly, there are also two testicular veins that transport oxygen-depleted blood back toward the heart. Within each side of the scrotum, a network of small veins (pampiniform plexus) transport the oxygen-depleted blood from the testicle to the main testicular vein. A varicocele is the enlargement of the pampiniform plexus.
The exact cause of a varicocele is unknown. One contributing factor may be the malfunction of valves inside the veins that are intended to keep blood moving in the right direction. Also, the left testicular vein follows a slightly different path than the right vein a path that makes a problem with blood flow more likely on the left.
Complications:-
Poor testicular health:
For boys going through puberty, a varicocele may inhibit testicle growth, hormone production, and other factors related to the health and function of the testicle. For men, a varicocele may result in gradual shrinkage due to tissue loss.
Infertility:
A varicocele doesn’t necessarily cause infertility. An estimated 10% to 20% of men diagnosed with a varicocele experience difficulty fathering a child. Among men with fertility problems, about 40% have a varicocele.
