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 I am 31. I am in good shape. I have had erection problems off and on for 12 yrs. A doctor told me I had a varicocle when I was younger and not to worry about it. I was also diagnosed for low testosterone like a 9-10 instead of 80-90 with whatever they use to measure it. I recently saw a urologist who very clearly says that a varicocele is causing my problem and my testosterone should go back to normal if fixed. He scheduled me for surgery this Friday for both testicles. I have been on Testim which has helped me in every way with no erection problems at all. I am only taking the minimum 1 pack a day but the level is still not where it should be but has cured all of my problems. Will this surgery work to restore my testosterone to regular levels or will it be a waste of time? Could this be the cause of anything else that can be fixed to boost my levels back to normal w/o the expensive Testosterone packets? I also had my sperm count check which was about 20 million instead of 80 million. I am more concerned about my testosterone level. Will a Endocrinologist be better to diagnose why my Testosterone level is so low? Please help
Answer I sincerely doubt that varicocele surgery will correct a low testosterone problem. Varicocele surgery is usually recommended for low sperm production (it sometimes helps) or for discomfort from the varicocele. An endocrinologist may be able to better identify the cause of your low testosterone.
There is more to a semen analysis than just a sperm count. A count of 20 million per CC would be considered acceptable if not optimal.
Consider getting a second urological opinion before agreeing to this surgery.
