Varicocele is one of the health disorders in the male reproductive organ. However, can varicocele affect fertility?
Dad, do you know that many men are unaware if they have varicocele? In general, varicocele doesn’t cause symptoms and isn’t dangerous. However, this condition can make it difficult for couples to conceive, you know.
Therefore, Dad needs to know how to treat varicocele to determine the right fertility program Before that, let’s find out what varicocele is.
What Is Varicocele?
Varicocele is a swelling that occurs in the blood vessels inside the scrotum. This condition is also known as varicose veins in the scrotum or testicles. It happens because the blood vessels in the testicles, which are usually not palpable, become swollen.
The role of veins in the scrotum is to help cool the blood before it is delivered to the testicular arteries, which supply blood to the testicles. Because if the testicles become too hot, unhealthy sperm cannot be produced.
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Now, the swelling of blood vessels in the testicles raises the temperature in the scrotum, which can inhibit sperm production. For men who have varicocele, they may experience swelling and tenderness in the scrotum.
Does Varicocele Affect Male Fertility?
To achieve fertilization, healthy and agile sperm are needed to reach the egg. Therefore, semen containing high-quality sperm is required to increase the success of fertilization.
Because varicocele can hinder the sperm production process. This is because the swelling in the veins can raise the temperature in the scrotum. The increase in testicular temperature can have several effects, including a decrease in testosterone production .
This hormone plays a role in sperm production, so if its levels decrease, it will also affect the quantity of sperm produced and cause defects in sperm development.
Meanwhile, another effect of the increased testicular temperature is that it can increase reactive oxygen species that can damage DNA and the outer layer (membrane) of sperm.
What Causes Varicocele?
Varicocele is caused by damaged vein valves in the scrotum that cannot close properly, causing blood to accumulate in those damaged valves. To this day, the exact cause of varicocele is not known. However, blood accumulation in these veins causes swelling.
How to Treat Varicocele?
Basically, the treatment of varicocele is based on individual conditions. In most cases, varicocele does not require specific treatment. The pain caused by varicocele is usually managed with pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.
However, if the pain is excessive and interferes with fertility, there are several varicocele treatment options recommended by doctors:
Embolization
This treatment procedure involves inserting a tube filled with fluid through the groin to reach the varicocele.
Surgery
This treatment procedure is performed to clamp or tie off the blood vessels affected by varicocele to block the blood flow to those vessels. This condition can help blood flow to normal blood vessels.
This surgical procedure can be performed using minimally invasive techniques or open surgery. After recovery, patients are advised to avoid heavy activities and undergo further examinations with a doctor.
Can Varicocele Be Treated Naturally?
If Dad has varicocele, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment advice. Basically, for mild varicocele, it can be managed with periodic observation while self-care is applied.
Here are some ways to minimize varicocele, such as:
Wear comfortable pants and avoid wearing tight pants
Adopt a healthy lifestyle, including consuming healthy food and regular exercise
Maintain an ideal body weight
Limit strenuous activities
That’s it, Dad, varicocele treatment methods tailored to individual conditions. Remember, varicocele can affect your fertility. For Dad and Mom who are planning to have a pregnancy program, it is advisable to consult with a doctor.
This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Chitra Fatimah.
Source:
Shafi, H., et al. (2014). Prevalence of Varicocele among Primary and Secondary Infertile Men: Association with Occupation, Smoking and Drinking Alcohol. N Am J Med Sci. 2014 Oct; 6(10): 532–535.
Enatsu, N., et al. (2014). Clinical Outcome of Microsurgical Varicocelectomy in Infertile Men With Severe Oligozoospermia. Urology, Volume 83, Issue 5, May 2014, Pages 1071-1074.
