Article 68: The Mechanism of Varicocele-Induced Infertility and Sexual Dysfunction and Unhealthy Habits

◇A Guide to Caring for Your Husband's Health as a Good Wife◇

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Varicocele can cause male infertility, but the mechanism by which it causes infertility is not yet fully understood. It may be related to the following factors:

1. Increased scrotal temperature: After varicocele, the blood flow in the spermatic veins is stagnant, which can cause the temperature inside the scrotum to rise, averaging 0.6℃ higher than normal, thus affecting sperm production.

2. Nutritional disorders: Due to venous blood stasis, the blood circulation of the testes and epididymis is affected, resulting in a lack of the necessary nutrients and oxygen supply, which in turn affects spermatogenesis.

3. Testicular endocrine dysfunction: Due to the increased local temperature in the scrotum and insufficient blood and oxygen supply to the testes, the endocrine function of the interstitial cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes is inevitably affected, thereby interfering with spermatogenesis.

4. Toxin effects: Due to the rich collateral circulation between the spermatic vein and the testicular vein, when varicocele occurs, it causes blood reflux. This can cause high concentrations of toxic metabolites, such as steroids, catecholamines, serotonin, and prostaglandins, carried in the blood of the left adrenal gland and left renal vein to flow into both testes before detoxification, affecting sperm production and causing varying degrees of oligospermia, abnormal sperm morphology, and motility disorders.

5. Damaging effects of oxygen free radicals: Some studies have shown that when varicocele occurs, oxygen free radicals increase in testicular tissue, and lipid peroxidation is aggravated, thereby affecting spermatogenesis and sperm function.

Male sexual dysfunction can cause infertility

Normal male sexual function includes several components such as libido, penile erection, intercourse, orgasm, and ejaculation. Any disorder in any of these components can affect sexual life and is called male sexual dysfunction.

Male sexual dysfunction can be broadly classified into functional and organic types. Functional sexual dysfunction accounts for the vast majority of cases and is usually caused by abnormal sexual habits (such as masturbation, interrupted intercourse, excessive intercourse, etc.) and abnormal mental states (such as tension, fear, over-excitement, extreme fatigue, etc.). Organic sexual dysfunction is less common and is more often seen in cases of spinal cord nerve injury, surgery on the genitals and groin, inflammation of the urogenital tract, and systemic diseases such as diabetes.

Male sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction, results in impotence or weak erections, preventing penile penetration of the partner's vagina; while ejaculatory dysfunction results in premature ejaculation, anejaculation, or retrograde ejaculation, preventing semen from entering the partner's reproductive tract. These conditions inevitably prevent the sperm and egg from meeting, leading to infertility.

Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can cause male infertility.

Smoking can damage the arteries in men and is a common risk factor for atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis leads to a significant decrease in penile blood pressure and reduced blood flow, thus potentially causing erectile dysfunction.

Drinking alcohol is also very harmful to male sexual function. Alcohol can cause gonadal poisoning, severely damage testicular interstitial cells, inhibit testosterone synthesis, reduce androgen levels, and lead to severe impotence.

Both tobacco and alcohol can directly damage the gonads and sperm. Sperm production depends on the gonads, primarily the testes; simultaneously, sperm production involves a rapid proliferation of cells and cell differentiation and maturation. This process requires large amounts of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and protein. Cigarette smoke contains substances that induce cell abnormalities and inhibit lymphocyte DNA synthesis, significantly impacting spermatogenesis, maturation, and the proportion of abnormal sperm. Studies show that the proportion of abnormal sperm in the semen of smokers is far higher than in non-smokers. Alcohol, by poisoning the testes and other reproductive organs, lowers serum testosterone levels, leading to decreased libido, sperm abnormalities, and male infertility. Therefore, to protect normal male fertility, it is essential to quit smoking and drinking.

Unhealthy lifestyle habits can cause male infertility

Some cases of male infertility are not caused by organic factors, but rather by unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as:

1. Poor mental state: Long-term mental depression, frustration, pessimism, and worry often lead to infertility. This is because it affects the function of the cerebral cortex, resulting in instability in the body's nervous and endocrine functions, as well as testicular spermatogenesis and sexual function.

2. Malnutrition: Human sperm production is closely related to the nutritional level of the diet. Sufficient intake of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E is essential. Malnutrition or an unbalanced diet will affect sperm production and quality. Therefore, one should eat more milk, eggs, lean meat, fish, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

3. Wearing tight pants for extended periods: This has three harmful effects:

(1) Increased testicular temperature.

(2) The scrotum’s heat dissipation and sweating are blocked, which also causes the temperature of the testicles to rise.

(3) It hinders blood circulation in the scrotum and causes testicular congestion, so you should not wear any style of tight pants.

4. Smoking and alcoholism: Nicotine in tobacco can reduce sex hormone secretion and kill sperm. Alcohol can affect sperm; in chronic alcoholics, 70% of sperm are underdeveloped or lose their motility.

5. Frequent hot baths: The temperature of the scrotum is about 1°C lower than normal body temperature, which is conducive to sperm production and development. Frequent hot baths raise the temperature of the scrotum and affect sperm production.

6. Improper or excessive sexual activity: Although the testes can produce hundreds of millions of sperm daily, these sperm must mature in the epididymis. It takes 5-7 days to restore a fertile sperm count after ejaculation. Therefore, excessive sexual activity leading to a low sperm count per ejaculation can cause infertility. Additionally, interrupted intercourse, excessive masturbation, or irregular sexual activity can also cause abnormal congestion of the sexual organs, all of which are detrimental to sperm production.

7. Frequent long-distance cycling: When riding a bicycle, the seat compresses the urethra, scrotum, and perineum. Long-distance cycling causes congestion in these areas, which can affect the function of the testes, epididymis, prostate, and seminal vesicles. The bumps and vibrations of cycling can also directly damage the spermatogenic function of the testes.