Hormonal status of adolescents with varicocele
Varicocele is most frequently diagnosed in children and adolescents. Therefore, the assessment of the reproductive health of adolescents is highly relevant. Changes in the testicle with varicocele can trigger the development of hypogonadism, which, being masked by active puberty and not being corrected in time, may lead to infertility. Objective. Тo assess the changes in hormonal status of adolescents with left-sided varicocele, as well as the severity of testicular insufficiency depending on varicocele grade and time since surgery. Patients and methods. Adolescents with left-sided varicocele and adolescents without varicocele were annually tested for their serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and estradiol between the age of 14 and 17 years. We compared hormone levels and their dynamics between the experimental and control groups, between patients with different grades of varicocele, and between the same patients before/after surgery for varicocele. Results. Adolescents with varicocele often demonstrated changes in their hormonal status, including decreased levels of FSH, LH, and testosterone. More significant changes were observed in patients with grade III varicocele. Early varicocelectomy facilitated normalization of hormonal status in puberty. Key words: adolescents, varicocele, hormones