Males whose semen contains no sperm have little pockets of sperm in their testicles. These pockets hold a range of healthy sperm suitable for IVF and ICSI treatments. Professionals in reproductive medicine drill into these pockets, and some are taken out using a technique similar to a needle biopsy.
Veins in the scrotum, the skin around your testicles, can enlarge and cause a varicocele. The pampiniform plexus is the term used to describe these veins. Ten to fifteen males out of a hundred have varicocele. Males between the ages of 15 and 25 are more likely to have them. That is akin to developing varicose veins in your lower limb. Varicoceles can sometimes result in reduced sperm quantity and quality, leading to infertility. Testicles may shrink as a result of this.
A spermatic cord supports every testicle. Within the cords are also the veins, arteries, and nerves that supply these glands with support. Blood can go from the testicles to the scrotum and back to the heart through one-way valves found in healthy scrotal veins.
Sometimes blood pools in veins and becomes larger because the blood isn’t flowing through them as it should. A varicocele grows progressively over time. There is no established risk factor for the formation of a varicocele, and its exact cause is unknown.
It is possible that you are symptom-free of varicocele. But you might experience:
Most of the time, varicoceles are painless and don’t need to be treated. In actuality, they are frequently discovered during a standard physical check or fertility assessment.
However, your doctor might suggest therapy if the varicocele is large, your testicles are too tiny, your sperm count is low, or you and your partner are having trouble getting pregnant. Additionally, you should speak with your doctor if you encounter any of the following symptoms:
Varicoceles cannot be treated or prevented with medications. Nevertheless, taking drugs (such acetaminophen or ibuprofen) could help with the discomfort. There is only one choice for treatment: surgery. Embolization produces a transient venous obstruction as a non-surgical therapeutic method.
In terms of surgery: Varicocele surgery can be done in a number of ways. The pampiniform plexus veins are the blood vessel through which all of them are blocked. The patient goes into complete unconsciousness during surgery. The two most common procedures carried out are:
Infertility is a common side effect of a varicocele. If you and your spouse are having trouble getting pregnant, talk to your doctor about scheduling a consultation with a reproductive expert.