What are the causes of varicocele?

When it comes to varicocele, many patients are afraid because this disease may lead to male infertility. In fact, not all varicocele will lead to loss of fertility. It is also necessary to find out the cause of the disease and treat it accordingly.

(1) Increased scrotal temperature

After varicocele, due to blood stagnation in the varicocele, the temperature in the scrotum can rise, averaging 0.6°C higher than normal, thus affecting sperm production.

(2) Nutritional disorders

Due to venous blood stagnation, the blood circulation of the testicles and epididymis is affected, and the nutrients and oxygen they need are insufficient, thus affecting the occurrence of spermatogenesis.

(3) Testicular endocrine dysfunction

Due to the increase in local temperature in the scrotum, the blood and oxygen supply to the testicles is insufficient, which will inevitably affect the endocrine function of the interstitial cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testicles, thereby interfering with the occurrence of spermatogenesis.

(4) The presence of substances that damage testicular function in spermatic vein reflux

When the spermatic cord is varicose, the blood in the left renal vein flows back to the testicle through the left internal spermatic vein. Therefore, the hormone substances from the kidney and adrenal gland contained in the renal vein, such as cortisol, catecholamines, and toxic metabolites such as 5-hydroxytryptamine and prostaglandins secreted by the kidney, will flow back to the testicle with the spermatic vein blood, thereby inhibiting the spermatogenic function of the testicle.