Many couples try for a long time to get pregnant and, without success, end up seeing a doctor. This should be the first step once the decision to have a baby is made, but it does not always happen this way. The recommended period for a couple trying to conceive is usually 1 year without major concerns. However, when this trying time exceeds 2 years, then it is time to investigate what problem could be causing this possible infertility.
When all the tests are done, whether on the woman or the couple, and the problem is detected, the impact is large. It is similar to the strong desire of a couple who both really want to be parents. But I think everyone who has been through this, as my husband and I have, knows that even though it is not easy, every tear, worry, and every procedure is worth it.
In our case, more specifically, my husband was diagnosed with varicocele, which is nothing more than the dilation of the veins draining blood from the testicle, making them swollen and with a varicose appearance (hence the name varicocele). The blood accumulation leads to an increase in the temperature of the testicle, making the environment unsuitable for sperm to develop properly, since the ideal environment should be 2 degrees below body temperature. And in most cases, the trapped blood can also result in some toxic substances that may decrease sperm production and mobility. This mainly affects sperm quality. In most cases, varicocele does not cause symptoms, making its detection even more difficult. In other cases, it may cause mild pain when sitting and relief when lying down.
Treatment for Varicocele
But if varicocele is suspected, a physical exam through palpation and visual inspection by a urologist is enough to detect the issue. When this initial exam is positive, the doctor will then recommend an ultrasound scan (which is performed both standing and lying down) to evaluate the degree of the disease. Men with varicocele should have a sperm analysis (semen analysis), which counts the sperm and assesses their quality. Some cases are so severe that the number of sperm suitable for fertilization drops to zero. Treatment for varicocele is, in most cases, surgical. After a short period following surgery (about 3 months), a new test is done to verify the success and effectiveness of the treatment. In the vast majority of cases, men start to have healthy sperm and become fertile within a short time, especially with the help of vitamins such as Vitergan and E. That is why it is important to investigate the couple’s fertility issues so that the wait time is as short as possible.
See also: How to Deal With Infertility?
Photo: Urologia Florianópolis, Wikipedia, and Mais Matéria
