Epidemiology of varicocele

Abstract

Varicocele is a common problem in reproductive medicine practice. A varicocele is identified in 15% of healthy men and up to 35% of men with primary infertility. The exact pathophysiology of varicoceles is not very well understood, especially regarding its effect on male infertility. We have conducted a systematic review of studies evaluating the epidemiology of varicocele in the general population and in men presenting with infertility. In this article, we have identified some of the factors that can influence the epidemiological aspects of varicoceles. We also recognize that varicocele epidemiology remains incompletely understood, and there is a need for well-designed, large-scale studies to fully define the epidemiological aspects of this condition.

Potential role of imaging in assessing harmful effects on spermatogenesis in adult testes with varicocele

“…Secondary varicoceles are the result of increased pressure in the testicular veins, which can be related to several causes, such as hydronephrosis, abdominal and retroperitoneal neoplasms, and the so-called nutcracker phenomenon, which involves compression of the left renal vein between the superior mesenteric artery and aorta[4,12-15]. Although varicoceles are almost always more common and larger on the left side, they are bilateral in 50% of cases[14]. The uncommon, isolated right-sided varicocele always necessitates further investigation, as this finding may be associated with situs inversus or retroperitoneal malignancies[4,14].…”

“…Although varicoceles are almost always more common and larger on the left side, they are bilateral in 50% of cases[14]. The uncommon, isolated right-sided varicocele always necessitates further investigation, as this finding may be associated with situs inversus or retroperitoneal malignancies[4,14]. …”

“…Varicocele epidemiology is incompletely understood[14]. A clinical varicocele is found in approximately 15% of all adult males, up to 35% of infertile men and 81% of men presenting with secondary infertility.…”

“…A clinical varicocele is found in approximately 15% of all adult males, up to 35% of infertile men and 81% of men presenting with secondary infertility. When classified according to semen analysis parameters, 12% of infertile men with normal semen analyses and 25.4% of those with abnormal results were found to have clinical varicocele[4,5,8,12,14]. This disorder may be present at birth or in young children, but the incidence substantially increases in adolescents coinciding with pubertal development[4,5,14].…”

“…When classified according to semen analysis parameters, 12% of infertile men with normal semen analyses and 25.4% of those with abnormal results were found to have clinical varicocele[4,5,8,12,14]. This disorder may be present at birth or in young children, but the incidence substantially increases in adolescents coinciding with pubertal development[4,5,14]. The prevalence of varicocele also increases with advancing age, with an increase of approximately 10% per decade of life, probably because of the aging of venous valves[14].…”