Obesity
Obese individuals are at higher risk for developing varicocele. Although obesity doesn’t directly cause varicoceles, the two conditions are linked. There are a few ways that obesity can contribute to the development of varicoceles.
First, being overweight puts additional strain on the abdomen and surrounding muscles. This extra pressure can cause the valves in the veins to malfunction, allowing blood to flow backward and pool in the veins. This pooling of blood causes the veins to widen and become enlarged.
In addition, obese men tend to have higher levels of estrogen. Estrogen is a female hormone, but men also have small amounts of it naturally. However, excess body fat leads to increased production of estrogen, which can disrupt the normal balance of hormones in the body and lead to fertility problems. Increased estrogen levels have also been linked to an increased risk of developing varicoceles
Fortunately, there are things that men can do to reduce their risk of developing varicoceles, even if they are already overweight or obese. First, they must try to lose weight if they carry excess pounds. Even a small amount of weight loss can help lower the risk by taking pressure off the abdomen and decreasing estrogen levels.
