How does developing a varicose vein at the scrotum impact male fertility?

Varicose veins (enlarged veins with defective valves) in the scrotum are called varicoceles.

Sperm is sensitive to heat, and even 2-3 degrees increase in heat will affect sperm production and quality. This is why the testes hang inside the scrotum outside the body cavity, as the temperature is lower than inside the body cavity.

Varicoceles cause an increase in the temperature of the scrotum. This is caused by backflow (reflux) of warm blood from the body cavity back into the scrotum. In boys and adolescents, varicoceles can also cause the testes to grow less and be smaller than the testis without a varicocele.

A varicose vein in the scrotum is a reflection of varicoceles, which are enlarged veins that drain the testicle on that side of the scrotum.

Varicoceles can result in poor sperm parameters resulting in male subfertility. Waste products are not carried away efficiently from the testicle in these dilated or enlarged veins and result in oxidative stress on the testicle hence affecting the quality of the sperms produced. Men with varicoceles will also have an increased temperature in the testicle and heat also results in low-quality sperms.

Studies have shown that varicocelectomy or surgery to tie up these enlarged veins can improve semen parameters.