Varicocele and Male Infertility

About one in four people with varicocele experience fertility problems. That is about 2-4% of the population. The main parameters used for assessing fertility are sperm count, volume, morphology, and motility, as well as sperm DNA damage, and testicular volume. Varicocele negatively effects all these parameters.

Varicocele can also cause a decrease in testosterone levels, leading to lowered sexual performance and slight feminization of the body and mind (e.g., enlargement of breast tissue, erectile dysfunction, passivity and decrease assertiveness).

Lower testicular volume is common in those diagnosed with a varicocele. Testicular volume is normally greater than 15 cm³. Varicocele causes an average decrease of 5 cm³ in volume on the affected side. Notably, the unaffected side may also shrink because of the disruption of normal hormone production in the effected side. Higher grade and bilateral varicoceles cause the biggest decrease in volume, and have the most sever symptoms.