ArticleThe world journal of men's health2026
Impact of Varicocele on Reproductive Hormones in Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Article in The world journal of men's health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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The trial behind it
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Is Varicocele Truly Unilateral? Contralateral Involvement and Bilateral Testicular Effects in Male Infertility: A Narrative Review.Journal of personalized medicine · 2026Review
- Advances in immune-inflammatory interactions within the testicular-penile microenvironment of varicocele patients: molecular mechanisms underlying erectile dysfunction and spermatogenic impairment.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2026Review
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Authors and funding
18 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeThe impact of varicocele on testicular function remains debated. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated its effects on reproductive hormones, testicular volume, and semen parameters. MATERIALS AND
methodsA comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus for studies published up to January 2025, following the PECO model: Population-adult men; Exposure-varicocele; Comparator-men without varicocele; Outcomes-reproductive hormone levels, testicular volume, and semen quality.
resultsOf 1,622 records, 32 studies met the inclusion criteria. Men with varicocele had significantly higher follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (mean difference [MD] 2.18 IU/L, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37-2.99, p<0.001) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels (MD 0.63 IU/L, 95% CI 0.08-1.17, p=0.02), and significantly lower total testosterone (MD -0.71 ng/mL, 95% CI -1.20 to -0.23, p=0.004). No significant differences were observed in free testosterone, prolactin, or estradiol levels between men with and without varicocele. However, testicular volume was significantly reduced in the varicocele group-both on the right (MD -1.40 mL, 95% CI -2.69 to -0.12, p=0.03) and left side (MD -2.97 mL, 95% CI -4.03 to -1.91, p<0.001). Men with varicocele also had significantly lower sperm concentration (MD -34.72 ×10⁶/mL, 95% CI -48.41 to -21.03, p<0.001), motility (MD -20.62%, 95% CI -29.69 to -11.55, p<0.001), vitality (MD -14.75%, 95% CI -24.60 to -4.90, p=0.003), and normal morphology (MD -10.15%, 95% CI -16.53 to -3.78, p=0.002).
conclusionsVaricocele is associated with elevated FSH and LH levels, alongside reductions in total testosterone, testicular volume, and semen quality. These findings indicate a detrimental effect on both spermatogenesis and Leydig cell function. Clinicians should consider these hormonal and functional impairments when evaluating and managing infertile men with varicocele.
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