Varicocele is associated with hypogonadism and impaired erectile function: a prospective comparative study

Abstract

We conducted this prospective comparative study to examine the hypothesis that varicocele was associated with hypogonadism and impaired erectile function as reflected in International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) scores as well as nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR) parameters. From December 2014 to December 2015, a total of 130 males with varicocele complaining of infertility or scrotal discomfort and 130 age-matched healthy males chosen from volunteer healthy hospital staff as controls were recruited in this study. Serum testosterone (TT) levels and IIEF-5 scores as well as NPTR parameters were evaluated and compared between varicocele and control subjects. All participants were further grouped into hypogonadism based on the cut-off value 300 ng/dL. A total of 45 of 130 patients were identified as hypogonadism, while it was not found in control subjects. A multivariate logistic regression with likelihood ratio test revealed that TT levels as well as grade III and II varicocele posed significant indicators for hypogonadism occurrence (chi-square of likelihood ratio = 12.40, df = 3, p < .01). Furthermore, TT levels and infertility duration were associated with IIEF-5 scores in a multivariate linear regression analysis (adjusted R = 0.545). In conclusion, the correlation of grade III and II varicocele with an increased risk of hypogonadism was confirmed in this study and an impaired erectile function correlated with TT levels and infertility duration was also observed.

Relationship between varicocele and platelet indices: changes of mean platelet volume before and after operation

“…And it is a higher incidence of varicocele in the crowd with infertility; a cross‐sectional study showed that the incidence of varicoceles is up to 16.3% in men with fertility requirements who attended an infertility clinic (Dieamant et al ., ), and 26% of infertile men in China suffer from varicocele at present (Zhang et al ., ). Varicocele had a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia (Wang et al ., ), and caused problems such as pain symptoms, decreased sperm quality, infertility, and even increase in the risk of hypogonadism (Ji & Jin, ). Although the study of varicocele is widespread, the etiology of varicocele remains unclear.…”

Pathological Shunts’ Bandage in the Treatment of the Veno-Occlusive Form of Erectile Dysfunction

“…Однако уменьшение уровня тестостерона сыворот-ки крови коррелирует со временем течения заболе-вания. И указывает на то, что длительное течение варикоцеле приводит к гипогонадизму [11,12]. Но в ранних периодах течения заболевания варикоцеле на базе Харьковского областного клинического центра урологии и нефрологии им.…”

Varicocele is associated with hypogonadism and impaired erectile function: A prospective comparative study

“…We have read the article “Varicocele is associated with hypogonadism and impaired erectile function: a prospective comparative study” by Ji and Jin (), which was an interesting study investigating the hypothesis that varicocele was associated with hypogonadism and impaired erectile function. In their prospective randomised study, the authors tried to compare serum total testosterone (TT) levels and erectile function between patients with varicocele and control subjects.…”