Varicocele is the presence of varicose or dilated veins in the scrotum. About 15% of men suffer from this condition. Although not a problem for some, nearly 40% of infertile men have varicocele.
Causes
The veins in your testicles (as well as in your legs) have valves that help blood flow to your heart. If these valves stop working, blood pools in the veins and causes them to dilate.
Varicocele usually develops slowly and is most common in men between the ages of 15 and 25.
Diagnosis
In addition to a medical history, you will need to undergo a genital examination, which takes only a few minutes, is painless and can reveal enlarged veins or other symptoms of varicocele.
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