A varicocele is an enlargement of the veins within the scrotum. These veins are called the pampiniform plexus. A varicocele only occurs in the scrotum and is very similar to varicose veins that can occur in the leg. A varicocele can result in decreased sperm production and quality, which in some cases can lead to infertility.

A condition when varicose veins forms within the scrotum. This causes discomfort, low sperm production, and reduced sperm quality that lead to infertility.

A varicocele usually occurs on the left side of the scrotum and often produces no signs or symptoms. Possible signs and symptoms may include:

• Pain. A dull, aching pain or discomfort is more likely when standing or late in the day. Lying down often relieves pain.

• A mass in the scrotum. If a varicocele is large enough, a mass like a "bag of worms" may be visible above the testicle. A smaller varicocele may be too small to see but noticeable by touch.

• Differently sized testicles. The affected testicle may be noticeably smaller than the other testicle.

• Infertility. A varicocele may lead to difficulty fathering a child, but not all varicoceles cause infertility.

Your health care provider may want you to have an ultrasound exam. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of structures inside your body. These images may be used to:

• Confirm the diagnosis or characterize the varicocele

• Eliminate another condition as a possible cause of signs or symptoms

• Detect a lesion or other factor obstructing blood flow

A varicocele often doesn't need to be treated. For a man experiencing infertility, surgery to correct the varicocele may be a part of the fertility treatment plan.

For teenagers or young adults — generally those not seeking fertility treatment — a health care provider may suggest annual checkups to monitor any changes. Surgery might be recommended in the following situations:

• A testicle that shows delayed development

• Low sperm count or other sperm irregularities (usually only tested in adults)

• Chronic pain not managed by pain medication

If untreated for a prolonged period it may lead to

• Atrophy of the affected testicle due to testicular damage

• Infertility- varicocele cause high temperature in the testicle high, affecting sperm production, motility and function

• None.

• When evaluating any claim involving loss or loss of use of one or more creative organs, refer to 38 CFR 3.350 of this chapter to determine whether the Veteran may be entitled to special monthly compensation. Footnotes in the schedule indicate conditions which potentially establish entitlement to special monthly compensation; however, there are other conditions in this section which under certain circumstances also establish entitlement to special monthly compensation.