This consists of a dilation of the veins which essentially emerge from the left testicle, due to the absence or fault in one of the valves (floodgates) which ensure that once the blood leaves the testicle in an upwards direction via the spermatic vein which empties into the renal vein, it does not return back down to the testicle.
When this happens there is a dilation of the entire plexus of testicular veins and it could lead, amongst other things, to an increase in the temperature of the testicle, a lack of oxygenation of the gland and to obstructive processes due to the compression of the first section of the seminal duct. In addition, waste elements from the kidney or the suprarenal gland may reach the testicle and act like toxins. These effects provoke a reduction in the production and/or quality of the sperm.
The varicocele can be detected during a physical examination of the testicle or by means of a Doppler study which shows the reflux of the blood flow to the testicle.
The treatment consists of joining the veins of the testicle at groin level (varicocelectomy) under local anaesthetic and on an outpatient basis.