keep it cool
Higher scrotal temperatures decrease sperm quality. The optimal temperature for sperm production sits around 34 degrees celcius.
34ºC
Practice good hygiene, dress appropriately according to the weather and wear comfortable fitting cotton underwear to help keep the boys happy.
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Varicocele treatment
Varicoceles occur when the network of veins to the testicle becomes dilated, similar to varicose veins on the legs. This has an effect on the functioning of the testicles, as the warm blood in the veins acts as a heater and increases the temperature of the testicles slightly. An increase in testicular temperature can cause male infertility.
let it all hang out
The testicles are specifically located outside the body in order to be slightly cooler, which is necessary for the Sertoli cells (little factory cells inside the testicle that make sperm) to function at their best.
When diagnosed with male infertility, it is therefore important to exclude a varicocele. If found to have a large varicocele on clinical examination, your urologist will discuss the various options available to treat the varicocele. Not all varicoceles require treatment, however, some treatment options include:
Percutaneous embolisation or sclerotherapy
This can be done from a scrotal approach, often in theatre under the care of a urologist, or by an interventional urologist who accesses the veins from the groin and places small coils in the veins to block the blood flow to the varicocele.
Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery
Small incisions, typically 5mm in length are made in the abdomen and instruments are placed into the abdomen to repair the varicocele using a camera to see inside the body. The procedure is often performed as a day case under general anaesthesia.
Open surgery using a high power operating microscope
Your urologist will make a small incision in the groin (subinguinal approach) to access the veins to the scrotum, and tie off the problematic blood vessels.