Varicoceles leads to lower testosterone

As many as 15% of men have varicoceles, masses of enlarged veins in the testicles similar to varicose veins. While varicoceles have long been associated with male factor infertility, it has only recently been discovered that there is also a link to lowered testosterone.

While some men ignore the condition, because testosterone is so vital to male health, microsurgery may be called for. In most cases it’s a minor surgery and will increase the testosterone levels to normal.

“Varicoceles are a much more serious problem than previously thought. Low testosterone causes significant health problems in men.. Besides causing low energy, decreased muscle strength and sexual problems, it is a major risk factor for osteopenia/osteoporosis and can also cause changes in cognitive and psychological function, in particular, depression,” said Dr. Marc Goldstein who led the study published in BJU International.

Varicoceles usually appear in the teen years and are associated with puberty. “Common wisdom has been to leave them aloe unless they are causing pain or infertility. But, as a result of our study, I recommend that teenagers and men with serious varicoceles be referred to a male reproductive urologist experienced in microsurgical varicocelectomy.”

The surgery prevents further deterioration of the testosterone level. In 70% of those who had the microsurgery, testosterone levels returned to normal.

Source: New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Medical News Today