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| The main causes of varicocele |
Varicocele is among the most common issues, affecting over 15% of males to varying degrees, and it may negatively impact their fertility.
Despite this, the majority of cases might not realize they have varicoceles until advanced stages because they are painless, which leads to the aggravation of varicocele symptoms and hinders the treatment journey.
For your well-being, we decided to dedicate today's article to discussing the causes of varicoceles and the key factors that might elevate the risk of acquiring them.
What are the causes of varicoceles?
Varicoceles in most males stem from weakness in the blood vessel walls or a defect in the vein valves responsible for transporting blood from the testicle to the heart, resulting in their expansion, swelling, and blood pooling.
Although we cannot definitively state the reason behind the vein or valve weakness, numerous elements significantly multiply the incidence rate of varicoceles!
The foremost factors escalating varicocele chances
Perhaps many are preoccupied with seeking the direct reasons for testicle varicoceles and are unaware they face many daily factors that increase the danger of developing them, the most important of which are:
Work nature that necessitates standing or sitting for extended durations.
Constantly lifting heavy objects.
Hereditary factors.
Smoking.
Excessive gym exercise and lifting weighty loads.
In addition to certain other elements, such as:
Morbid obesity.
Chronic coughing and constipation, as they consistently lead to increased pressure in the lower abdomen.
The growth of a tumor compressing the lower abdominal area.
As a consequence of these matters, blood supply to the testicles—the left side more so—is affected, veins swell, and the testicle's sperm production is also impacted.
Does wearing tight clothing cause varicoceles?
Opinions vary regarding the link between tight clothing and varicoceles; some support that it is an influential factor increasing the chances of acquisition, while others disagree, so let us clarify the matter for you.
Many physicians support that wearing tight garments for prolonged periods during work exposes the testicles to elevated temperatures, causing blood stagnation in the testicular veins and their swelling, which significantly reduces sperm generation.
What are the causes of varicoceles in adolescents?
Some assume that varicoceles only affect married men and older adults, but the truth is they appear in young men and adolescents too, being most prominent between the ages of 15 - 25, and rarely appearing over forty.
Usually, the reasons for varicoceles in adolescents do not differ from what we previously mentioned, and it is worth noting that their affliction is often more severe, requiring diligent medical attention to avoid serious complications.
Neglecting varicocele treatment results in bothersome complications
Similar to our discussion on varicoceles and their complications, some might advise you to ignore the issue as long as you experience no pain and postpone seeing a doctor until marriage, but this is an unsound decision. It makes you more susceptible to reduced testosterone levels in the blood, leading to:
Impaired sexual capability.
Diminished or absent libido.
Testicular atrophy.
Muscle weakness.
The issue doesn't stop there; semen quality is often greatly affected, and sometimes the testicle may cease producing sperm, resulting in infertility.
The appropriate action if you are prone to varicoceles
Consulting a specialized physician is the soundest choice you can make at that juncture, as early detection of varicoceles paves the way for treatment and spares you any harm that might happen to the testicle or semen.
Generally, varicocele treatment relies on 3 essential pillars:
Medication to lessen symptom severity, suitable for early stages.
Adhering to a healthy lifestyle to avoid causes and lower the probability of developing varicoceles.
Surgery, considered the superior option and final resolution for advanced cases.
It is noteworthy that varicocele surgery is a simple therapeutic procedure performed using a surgical microscope and is one of the best methods approved thus far; it is followed by swift recovery, and the ability to return home the same day of the operation.
Is there a way to prevent varicoceles?
As of yet, there is no method to entirely avoid varicoceles, as studies have not clearly determined the origins of varicoceles or why the testicular veins and vessels weaken, but for your knowledge... avoiding the majority of factors that increase the chances of developing varicoceles will considerably limit their symptoms and prevent the escalation of symptoms and numerous complications.
In concluding our discussion where we examined the causes of varicoceles and the primary factors that heighten the chances of acquisition, we can only wish you good health and advise you not to delay the decision for treatment.