MEN’S HEALTH

Usually, a vascular disease happens when cholesterol and other substances build up and block blood vessels. In some men, the arteries and veins in the penis and prostate may not work properly due to insufficient blood flow and could lead to a variety of health conditions such as Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) and Varicocele.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate becomes more and more common with men over the age of 50 with more than 3 million diagnoses in the US every year. The prostate is a small gland that helps make semen and is located just below the bladder.

An enlarged prostate can cause symptoms that may bother you, such as blocking the flow of urine from the bladder. It also can cause bladder, urinary tract, and kidney infections.

Varicocele

A varicocele is an abnormal enlargement of the spermatic vein within the scrotum. This can result from poor valve function, causing a build up of blood as it struggles to travel through the failing scrotal veins. Varicoceles present in a similar way to a more commonly known condition called varicose veins, which occur in the legs.

Currently, doctors are unsure of the exact risk factors that contribute to the development of varicoceles. Men of any age can experience varicoceles, and they have been shown to occur as early as puberty. Men who are overweight or obese could be at a higher risk of suffering from varicoceles, but there have not been enough studies to say this conclusively. There is a higher likelihood of varicocele forming on the left scrotum but can occasionally occur on both sides.