• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Varicocele

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Definition:

A varicocele is a widening of the veins along the spermatic cord. This cord holds up a man's testicles .

Alternative Names:

Varicose veins - scrotum

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

A varicocele forms when valves inside the veins along the spermatic cord prevent blood from flowing properly. This causes the blood to backup, which leads to swelling and widening of the veins. (This is essentially the same process that leads to varicose veins, which are common in the legs.)

Varicoceles usually develop slowly, and may not cause symptoms. They are more common in men between 15 and 25 years old and are most often seen on the left side of the scrotum . Varicoceles are often the cause of infertility in men.

The sudden appearance of a varicocele in an older man may be caused by a kidney tumor , which can block blood flow to a vein.

• Review Date: 1/16/2007
• Reviewed By: Marc Greenstein, DO, Urologist, North Jersey Center for Urologic Care, Denville, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.