What is Varicocele?

Varicocele is swollen testicle veins. Just like swollen veins in the legs, the veins draining from the scrotum can also become swollen. As it turns out, varicocele is very common and the #1 cause of male infertility.

You may read that varicocele is the result of "venous insufficiency". This simply means that the veins were unable to circulate the blood.

It is commonly thought that varicocele is caused by the defective or missing vein valves that prevent backward blood flow, however this is an out-dated theory with weak supporting evidence. The majority of individuals with varicocele have normal valves.

When blood does not circulate well, it pools, and causes excess pressure on the vein walls, and stretches them. Swollen testicular veins are refereed to as a varicocele. Varicoceles are very similar to hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and spider veins.

A varicocele can be small and only visible via ultrasound, or palpable (able to be touched or felt), and feels like a bag of worms inside the scrotum. 

Varicocele is the #1 cause of male infertility.  About 10-20% of all men have a varicocele. 40-60% of men with infertility have varicocele.

Even though it was generally accepted that varicocele may also be symptomless, it is now known to negatively effect testosterone levels.

Generally symptoms worsen with age, which is why it is important to treat varicocele in its early stages. View my blog for some great information on varicocele natural treatments.