Varicocele is common cause for low sperm count. A
varicocele is a collection of dilated veins around
the testicles, similar to varicose veins of legs.
These venous enlargements may lead to a rise in temperature
and a decrease in blood circulation through the testes
and could negatively affect sperm production. The
dilated veins are filled with excess blood.
Every
part of the body needs oxygen. Blood carries oxygen
to various parts of the body through arteries. Arteries
have muscular walls that pump the blood from the heart.
Veins are the channels that bring the blood back to
the heart and they do not have thick muscular walls.
Their walls are fairly thin and the blood in them
moves more passively; it is pushed back towards the
heart through the pressure of the blood being pumped
away from the heart and the movement of the muscles
and other structures surrounding the veins pushing
against the wall. The veins have a series of one-way
valves. These valves allow the blood to flow towards
the heart and stop the blood from "slipping"
backwards. If these valves are not working, blood
will flow backwards and because of gravity, the blood
will collect in the most dependent, the lowest part
of the pathway.
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In
people who have large varicose veins in their legs,
the valves are not functioning properly and the blood
is actually pooling in their legs. Because of this
they will find that after standing for long periods
of time, the blood has collected in their legs, giving
them a heavy dragging feeling. Men with varicoceles
may notice a heavy, dragging, aching feeling in the
scrotum "ball sack" at the end of the day.
There too the valves in the veins that drain the blood
from the testicles, the internal spermatic veins are
not functioning properly and allow the blood to collect.
Wearing tight-fitting underwear or an athletic supporter
to relieve discomfort may be all that is necessary.
What are the
symptoms ?
