Varicocele Treatment and Serum Testosterone

Abstract

Varicoceles are an abnormal dilation of the pampiniform plexus within the spermatic cord that can impair spermatogenesis and testosterone production in the testes through a variety of theorized mechanisms. Nearly 15% of the male population is affected by varicocele, though most men are entirely asymptomatic. Among men presenting with infertility, the incidence of varicocele has been observed to be as high as 35–40%. Varicoceles are the most commonly identified abnormalities in men presenting with infertility, and, when associated with abnormal semen parameters, present the urologist with an opportunity for intervention. Serum testosterone levels have been demonstrated to be lower on average among patients with varicoceles and data have suggested that varicocelectomy improves mean serum testosterone levels postrepair. Nonetheless, there are no current guideline indications for varicocelectomy for men with symptomatic hypogonadism, and it is not yet known whether the reported improvement in serum testosterone with surgical intervention is clinically meaningful. In this review, we discuss the most up-to-date literature on the mechanisms by which varicoceles are purported to impair both spermatogenesis and testosterone production as well as the effect of varicocelectomy on serum testosterone levels.