Hi all!
I have entirely cured my POIS symptoms through varicocelectomy I underwent back in December 2023, see reddit post below:
https://www.reddit.com/r/POIS/comments/1cpeaxy/my_journey_to_overcoming_pois_a_personal_research/While I understand: Although most self diagnosed POIS members have Varicocele, not all do (see poll below).
https://poiscenter.com/forums/index.php?topic=3375.0I am now wondering what specifically about the Varicocelectomy cured my symptoms so I can help others that may have similar impacts. I know not everyone has varicocele, and some POIS suffers (although rare) are female, but there could be similarities within the effects of Varicocele and the effects of other impactors.
I have it down to a couple theories, but one of my theory has to do with how varicocele impacts sperm morphology and how the immune system perceives this sperm as a threat:
Varicocele Development: Varicoceles, or enlarged veins in the scrotum, increase local temperature and oxidative stress, leading to damaged sperm with abnormal morphology and DNA fragmentation.
Immune Recognition: The immune system recognizes these altered sperm as foreign or damaged, triggering localized inflammation in the reproductive tract.
Cytokine Release and Vascular Spread: The reproductive tract's high vascularity allows cytokines from the local inflammation to enter the bloodstream, spreading throughout the body via the circulatory system and specifically the brain and CNS.
Systemic Effects on the Brain: Increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier during inflammation allows cytokines to enter the brain, causing cognitive symptoms such as brain fog, memory issues, anxiety, and depression.
Systemic Effects on Muscles and Endocrine Glands: Cytokines in the bloodstream can also affect muscles and endocrine glands, leading to muscle weakness, fatigue, and hormonal imbalances.
Other studies:
"Expression of claudin‑11 in a rat model of varicocele and its effects on the blood‑testis barrier" (2020)
Summary: This study examined claudin-11, a crucial protein for BTB integrity, in a rat varicocele model. Results showed significant downregulation of claudin-11 in varicocele-affected rats, indicating BTB disruption. This could also explain how damaged sperm may be able to get into blood, which could further cause immune response.
Link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30365105/"Impact of Varicocele on Testicular Function and Sperm DNA Integrity" (2016)
Summary: This review discusses how varicoceles cause oxidative stress, leading to sperm DNA fragmentation and BTB impairment, potentially triggering immune responses.
Link:
https://wjmh.org/DOIx.php?id=10.5534/wjmh.230260
Poll