Infertility Due to Varicocele Can Be Prevented with Early Treatment

What is Varicocele?

Varicocele is one of the common causes of male infertility. Varicocele occurs with abnormal enlargement of the veins, especially in the left testicle. Rarely, it can be seen on both sides. It occurs in 15% of our society.

Varicocele is one of the problems that are frequently encountered among men but are reluctant to mention about much. When this disease is not treated, it adversely affects daily life due to the pain it causes, and can even cause infertility if it progresses.     

Among the most common symptoms of varicocele are pain, especially pain in the area where the vessels enlarge, with the decrease in testicular size due to heat in progressive enlarged varicoceles, low hormone and sexual erection problem, which we call erectile dysfunction, may be experienced. The most common effect is the decrease in sperm quality seen accompanied by the release of toxic substances due to this increase in temperature and the enlargement of blood vessels. This condition causes infertility. Although 30% of male infertility is due to varicocele, varicocele is the most correctable cause of infertility.

There is no medical treatment for varicocele. Varicocele is a disease that is treated only by surgical methods. However, the most important factor for varicocele surgery is deterioration in sperm quality. If there is no deterioration in sperm quality, varicocele is only monitored. Today's gold standard for varicocele is varicocelectomy performed by microsurgery. One of the most important advantages of this method is early return to work, and the other is low probability of recurrence.