Table of contents:
- What is varicocele disease?
- Why is varicocele a cause of infertility or infertility?
- Body temperature is important for sperm production
- Is there a way to prevent varicocele that causes infertility?
Varicose veins are generally the problem most feared by women, but men can also experience varicose veins in the testicles, which is known as varicocele disease. Unfortunately, there is a possibility of varicocele disease as a cause of infertility or infertility. Actually, what is the reason vericocele can interfere with male fertility?
What is varicocele disease?
Varicocele disease is the swelling of the veins in the scrotum, aka the testicles that line the testes. Veins carry blood from cells and tissues back to the heart.
Varicocele that causes infertility can occur on one side of the testicles. However, the presence of varicoceles may also appear in both. However, varicocele conditions that may interfere with fertility usually occur on the left side, because the veins on that side are subjected to greater pressure than the right side.
At first, the swelling of the veins is subtle and shows no symptoms. That way, in general, varicocele is not really recognized by the owner of the body. Even so, some men may feel an uncomfortable sensation or even pain in the testicles when standing or physical exertion for too long if they have varicoceles.
In general, the pain caused by varicoceles will only heal when you lie down. Apart from pain, varicoceles, which could potentially be the cause of this infertile man, can get bigger and more obvious over time. Not only that, the presence of varicocele, the cause of male infertility, can cause the scrotum to swell.
The size of the lump caused by varicocele that may be the cause of your infertility varies. Many can be seen with the naked eye, but there are also things that can only be known after being touched. That is why it is important for every man to carry out regular self-testicular examinations, so that you can be aware of varicoceles that have the potential to cause you to be infertile.
It is not yet known what are the risk factors for varicose veins in these testicles. However, some researchers claim that varicocele risk is influenced by height and weight. The taller you are, the higher your chances of developing a varicocele.
Why is varicocele a cause of infertility or infertility?
Actually, varicocele does not directly cause men to be infertile. This is also proven by a study published in a journal entitled North American Journal of Medical Sciences.
The study collected a sample of 816 infertile men, less than a third of whom had varicoceles.
However, men with varicocele conditions are considered to have a higher risk of developing fertility problems. Especially when compared to men who don't have it.
This is because the presence of varicoceles may prevent your body from producing and storing sperm. No wonder the presence of varicoceles is then considered to be the cause of men being infertile or infertile.
This is because male fertility is affected by the quality of the sperm produced by the testes. That is, the presence of sperm is very important to determine whether a man is fertile or not.
This is also supported by the fact that blood flow from the heart to the penis when a man gets sexual stimulation will create an erection. At the same time, the scrotum (testicles) is drawn into the body to prepare semen.
The presence of swollen veins due to varicoceles which may interfere with fertility, because it causes the venous valves to not function optimally to return blood to the heart. Blood trapped in this intimate area will increase the temperature around the testicles longer than it should.
Body temperature is important for sperm production
In order for the testicles to produce healthy and quality sperm, the surrounding temperature must not exceed 4 degrees above normal body temperature. This is because the heat will affect sperm quality.
Just one degree increase in temperature will reduce sperm count by as much as 40 percent. Abnormalities in sperm that may occur due to varicoceles (be it a damaged shape, insufficient number, and sluggish “swimming”) can cause fertility problems in men.
This is the reason why the testes are outside the male body, inside the protection of the scrotum. This means that sperm will be in their best condition when in a cold environment, below normal body temperature. So, is varicocele disease definitely the cause of male infertility? The answer is, not necessarily.
Why? Male fertility depends on many factors. These include how long you have had a varicocele, its severity, and location (on one or both sides of the scrotum).
Not only that, early diagnosis and treatment can also improve your chances of fertility.
To ascertain a varicocele condition that might interfere with fertility, you should consult directly with a urological surgeon. Then ask your doctor about the possibility that your varicocele has the potential to cause you to be infertile.
Is there a way to prevent varicocele that causes infertility?
In order to reduce the risk of varicocele causing fertility problems, men are advised to maintain the health of their vital organs by increasing the consumption of foods containing antioxidants. In particular, vegetables and fruits that are rich in vitamins A, C, E, and zinc.
Not only that, also avoid exposure to chemicals, electricity, continuous radiation, soaking in hot water, and wearing pants that are too tight to protect the ideal temperature of the testicles. That way, even though you can't prevent it, you can reduce your risk of developing a varicocele condition.
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