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Is there a relationship between varicocele and testosterone levels?
Jorge Panach-Navarrete1,2, Andrés Morales-Giraldo1, Cristina Ferrandis-Cortés3
1Department of Urology, University Clinic Hospital of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Summary
This study found no direct link between varicocele and lower testosterone levels in adult men. However, obesity and advanced age were associated with reduced testosterone, impacting male reproductive health.
Area of Science:
- Andrology
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Urology
Background:
- Varicocele, a common condition affecting male fertility, is often suspected to impact testosterone production.
- Understanding factors influencing adult testosterone levels is crucial for diagnosing and managing male hypogonadism and reproductive health issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the presence and grade of varicocele and serum testosterone levels in adult men.
- To identify other potential factors, such as age, body mass index (BMI), and diabetes, that may influence testosterone levels in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 387 men presenting with erectile dysfunction.
- Data collected included age, BMI, diabetes status, varicocele presence/grade, and serum total and free testosterone levels.
- Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to assess relationships between variables and testosterone levels.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in mean total or free testosterone levels was observed between men with and without varicocele (p > 0.05).
- Multivariate analysis revealed that a BMI ≥ 30 was significantly associated with lower total testosterone (OR: 2.94, p < 0.001) and free testosterone (OR: 2.01, p = 0.01).
- Advanced age was also significantly associated with lower free testosterone levels (OR: 1.04, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- The presence of varicocele was not found to be related to decreased serum testosterone levels in this cohort.
- Obesity (high BMI) and advanced age emerged as significant independent factors associated with reduced total and free testosterone.
- These findings suggest that other established risk factors play a more prominent role in modulating testosterone levels than varicocele itself.
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