AboutStephen W. Leslie, MD Expertise Questions concerning erectile dysfunction, kidney stones and prostate disorders including prostate cancer. I have a special interest in kidney stone disease prevention.
Experience Full time practicing urologist with 20 years experience. Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology at the Medical College of Ohio. Editor in Chief of eMedicine Urology internet textbook. Author of only book written for patients by a urologist on the subject of kidney stones "The Kidney Stones Handbook". Inventor of the "Parachute" and "Escape" kidney stone baskets and the "Calculus" stone prevention analysis computer program.
Organizations American Urological Association, Ohio State Medical Association, Sexual Medicine Society
Publications Men's Health, Journal of Urology, Urology, Healthwatch Magazine, Emergency Medicine Monthly, eMedicine, "The Kidney Stones Handbook", and numerous articles in various newspapers. He is also the editor of the Urology Board Review by McGraw-Hill used by urologists to study for their Board Certification Examinations.
Education/Credentials Graduate of New York Medical College with residencies completed at Metropolitan Hospital New York, Albany Medical Center and University of Wisconsin-Madison
Awards and Honors Thirlby Award of the American Urological Association.
Question Dear doctor, You replied me that prescription medicines won't cause infertility. I'm taking anti psychotics from a psychiatrist. I have very small veins in scrotum. It doesn't look like bag of worms. It has been in my testis for 3 or more years. It is very few. My question is 1) "will the anti psychotics make the varicose veins or nerves in testis to die, because of reduced blood flow"? 2) Is it curable or is it a permanent problem? Please reply my two questions. This doubt is causing me stress.
Answer Prem:
I don't believe I ever said that prescription medicines can't cause infertility. Almost any medication has the potential to affect sperm counts and male fertility.
The small veins you notice in the scrotum may or may not be sufficient to affect fertility. If it's not obvious, then an ultrasound of the scrotum can determine the degree of extra veins.
Anti-psychotics have no significant effect on varicose veins or nerves in the testes. They do not generally reduce blood flow to the scrotum or elsewhere.
It isn't clear what problem you are asking about being curable. If it's infertility, then it may or may not be curable. We have many treatment options available, but not everyone will be successful. Varicoceles are curable, but it takes a surgery or similar procedure.
Consult a urologist for more definitive answers in your particular case.
