Did you know that the most common cause of abnormal sperm analysis is a Varicocele?
And that correction of a Varicocele could increase your testosterone levels?
What is a Varicocele?
A Varicocele is the pooling of blood in the testicle, affecting approximately 1 in 5 males. Varicoceles are most often harmless, but can sometimes cause pain in the testicle, stunted testicular growth in children and adolescents, and limited fertility.
How do Varicoceles form?
They form for one reason: the blood can get into the testicle through the arteries, but it can’t get back out. There are three main theories about why the blood can’t exit:
- Bad valve?
This is when the valve between two of the veins from the testicle doesn’t prevent backflow into the testicle.
- Unique vein pathway?
This is when the angle of the veins results in the blood not clearing well from the testicle.
- “Nutcracker effect”?
No joke. That’s the name in the research. There are two large arteries in your abdominal cavity that can exert pressure on the Renal vein. The Renal vein is where the testicular vein deposits the fluid from your testicle. You see where this is going?
The Renal vein gets nutcracked by those arteries and the blood can’t move as quickly back toward the heart. Now you have increased fluid pooling in the testicle.
How do you know if you have a Varicocele?
Well, you might not know, and you may not need to know. Just because you have a varicocele doesn’t mean you have an issue. Some men will have aching and throbbing in the testicle, or, very rarely, some men may have sharp pain. If the blood pooling is significant enough then you may be able to see the “spidering” of the veins above the testicle. This is the same “spidering” seen in varicose veins that can occur in your legs.
To actually determine whether or not you have a Varicocele you will need to go see a Urologist. Depending on the severity and need for further testing he or she may order a Doppler Ultrasound to image the veins and see if they are allowing blood to pool.
So if it doesn’t hurt why get treatment?
Two reasons:
1) Blood sitting in the testicle could stunt the testicle’s growth (this is usually in adolescents),
And
2) Your little swimmers won’t be as healthy with all that blood pooling. There isn’t a consensus on why the blood pooling in the veins causes problems for seminal health, but it’s very clear that it does.
What treatment options are available?
If the Variocele isn’t causing an issue with fertility and it isn’t causing any pain, one course of action would be to just wait and watch.
If there is pain or discomfort testicular support devices or underwear can be used to decrease severity of the pain.
If it is causing pain or if the seminal analysis comes back as abnormal then some form of surgical intervention (Varicocelectomy) may be indicated. If you are having pain in the testicle or issues with fertility it is time to consult with your local Urologist.
“What else should I know?”
Varicoceles come in four sizes: Large, Medium, Small, and Subclinical.
If your varicocele is Subclinical then you should know that surgical intervention is not usually effective for improving seminal health. If it is Large, Medium, or Small and you have surgery, it is likely that it will improve seminal health and it will also improve Testosterone levels if these levels were previously low.
“….wait, what?!”
Yep, if your testosterone levels are low the correction of a varicocele will most likely improve Testosterone levels. To misquote that one movie: “80% of the time, it works every time.”
“My testosterone levels are low, should I get a Varicocelectomy???”
Consult your Urologist. But if you don’t have a Varicocele then you can’t have a Varicocelectomy, and if you don’t have low testosterone than it’ll be difficult to raise it…I’ll let .you do the math.
“What else?”
If you are having ongoing abdominal, low back, hip, or testicular pain after a Varicocelectomy you don’t have to live with it. We can help wherever you are in the world online, or in clinic if you are in or near Wichita, KS.
We want to see men succeed for the glory of God and the good of all those they serve.
Reach out today!
Soli Deo Gloria,
Todd Rundell
P.S.
At Renewal Physical Therapy we want to give our patients the tools to take care of their body so they can spend less on medical professionals and more on the rest of their lives. The first step in this process is making sure our patients are well educated. We are happy to answer your questions or to send you more material to help you better understand your condition. Just reach out to us!