Incompetent or inadequate valves within the veins along the
spermatic cord cause a varicocele. The abnormal valves interfere
with normal blood flow, causing a backup of blood and resulting in
enlarged veins. Varicoceles usually develop slowly, with no
symptoms. Varicoceles are a possible cause of reduced fertility in
men.
Review Date: 12/23/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
