Medication
- A couple has tried and failed to get pregnant.
- Varicocele is detected on physical examination.
- The female partner has normal fertility or potentially treatable infertility.
- The male partner has abnormal semen parameters.
- The time to conception is not a concern (such as with younger couples who may have more time to conceive than older couples). 2
Procedures
Varicocele is the leading cause of male infertility with a number of underlying causes. However, conventional treatment (surgery) can lead to testicular damage, scarring, and persistent recurrent varicoceles. Fortunately, many natural remedies can also be effective. The results of these home remedies do vary, but they are very much worth trying.
Nutrition
the most effective treatment
- Prevent varicocele progression
- Safe and at-home treatments that are also beneficial for your overall health
- Complete recovery from subclinical, grade 1, & grade 2 varicocele
- 40-60% reduction of grade 3 varicoceles
- Completely cure varicocele pain
- Improve testosterone & virility
How long for a varicocele to heal?
Top 10 Varicocele Natural Treatments
- Diet for Varicocele
- Lifestyle Changes to Help
- Cool, Circulate & Antioxidants for Pain Relief
- Treating the Nutcracker Syndrome
- Best Herbal Supplements for Varicocele
- Best Exercises for Varicocele
- Posture & Varicocele
- Recommended Products for Varicocele
- Varicocele: Yoga Asanas Help
- Underwear: Varicocele Cooling & Supportive Briefs
What is a varicocele and how do you treat it?
What treatments exist to treat varicocele?
What are the home remedies for varicocele treatment?
What is the best treatment for varicocele?
Open surgical ligation, performed by a urologist, is the most common treatment for symptomatic varicoceles. Varicocele embolization, a nonsurgical treatment performed by an interventional radiologist, is as effective as surgery with less risk, less pain and less recovery time.
Is a varicocele serious?
Varicocele's are very common, and they are not dangerous. In fact, 15% of all adult men have a varicocele. For many men, their varicocele will go unnoticed throughout their life, or it will not cause any problems at all. About 20% of adolescents have varicoceles, so a fraction of them likely resolve spontaneously.
Is varicocele curable without surgery?
But treating varicoceles without surgery, by using a method like embolization, significantly reduces the amount of time you spend recovering. Varicocele embolization recovery time usually only lasts one to two days, so you can resume your normal everyday life as quickly as possible.
What happens if varicocele is left untreated?
Left untreated, they can cause testicular atrophy (shrinkage of the testicles). There is also a strong association between varicoceles and male infertility. Varicoceles have been linked with decreases in sperm count and motility and increases in the number of deformed and ineffective sperm.
What are the 5 signs of varicocele?
Here are the 5 signs of a varicocele, which include a scrotal mass, heavy sensation, enlarged veins, dull or sharp pain, and infertility issues. Varicocele is typically asymptomatic, but it may become more visible over time. When a varicocele reaches a certain size, men may begin to experience symptoms.
Is walking good for varicocele?
You should walk gently around the house to exercise your calf muscles, to use the bathroom, and to eat. When you are reclining or lying down, exercise both calf muscles every hour. Walking and exercising your calf muscles will help prevent the formation of blood clots in the leg veins.
Is varicocele surgery painful?
After surgery, you may have slight pain in your groin for 3 to 6 weeks. Your scrotum and groin may be bruised and swollen. This will go away in 3 to 4 weeks. You will probably be able to return to work or your normal routine in 2 to 3 days after microscopic surgery, depending on your job.
Is varicocele surgery safe?
Varicocelectomy is a safe procedure that has a high chance of improving your fertility and reducing complications of blocked blood flow into your reproductive organs. As with any surgery, there are some risks, and this procedure may not be able to fully restore your fertility.
Can I still have a child with varicocele?
Varicoceles, or varicose veins in the scrotum, affect a significant proportion of young men, and many men are able to have children with no problem with varicoceles.
Can antibiotics cure varicocele?
There are no drugs to treat or prevent varicoceles. But pain killers (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen) may help with pain. When needed, surgery is the main form of treatment. Embolization (briefly blocking the veins) is a non-surgical treatment option.
What is the main cause of varicocele?
Varicocele Causes Varicoceles are believed to be caused by defective valves in the veins within the scrotum, just above the testicles. Normally, these valves regulate the flow of blood to and from the testicles. When normal flow doesn't occur, the blood backs up, causing the veins to dilate (enlarge).
Do varicoceles get bigger over time?
Over time, they can worsen—the vein gets bigger and circulation is compromised. The appearance of a varicocele is similar to a varicose vein in that it's swollen, has a bulging appearance, and takes on a dark blue/purple color.
How to do varicocele surgery?
Surgery is done under general anesthesia. The two surgical approaches used most commonly are: Microscopic varicocelectomy: With this technique, the surgeon makes a 1 cm incision above the scrotum.
What is a varicocele?
What are Varicoceles? A varicocele is when veins become enlarged inside your scrotum ( the pouch of skin that holds your testicles). These veins are called the pampiniform plexus. Out of one hundred males, ten to fifteen have varicocele. It is like getting a varicose vein in your leg. Varicoceles are when the pampiniform plexus veins in ...
What is the name of the veins that grow in the scrotum?
Varicoceles are when the pampiniform plexus veins in the scrotum become enlarged. These veins are like varicose veins (twisted, swollen veins, found in the leg.) Varicoceles form during puberty. They can grow larger and you may notice them more over time. Varicoceles are more common on the left side of the scrotum.
Why are varicoceles bad for you?
But varicoceles are a concern for many reasons. Some may cause infertility (problems fathering a child) and slow growth of the left testicle during puberty. Varicoceles may be the cause of fertility problems in about four out of ten men who have problems fathering their first child.
How is embolization done?
Embolization is done by an Interventional Radiologist. Injection of contrast through a tube with x-ray guidance is used to see the source of the problem. The goal is to find all veins leading to the varicocele. Coils, plugs with or without sclerosant, are used to block the blood flow to the varicocele and scar them down. It is done either with local anesthetic or with light sedation through a very small hole in the groin or neck. The method most often lasts 45 minutes to an hour. Some problems are:
How to help a varicocele drain?
Supporting the scrotum with a jockstrap or briefs-style underwear can help varicocele pain. Lying on your back helps the varicocele drain, and often eases pain. Taking pain killers (such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen) may also help. You can also talk with your urologist about varicocele repair.
How to tell if you have varicoceles?
Ultrasound uses sound waves to make a picture of what’s inside your body. Signs of varicoceles on ultrasound are veins that are wider than 3 millimeters with blood flowing the wrong way during the Valsalva maneuver. The ultrasound can also show the size of the testicles. These are useful in deciding how to treat teens.
How to treat varicocele in neck?
With this less common treatment, a doctor called a radiologist will cut into a vein in your groin or neck to insert a tube. They’ll use X-rays to guide them to the varicocele and insert a balloon or coil into it through the tube. This blocks the blood flow to the varicocele and shrinks it.
How long does it take for a varicocele to come back?
You’ll still need a day or two off from work, but you can get back to the gym in a week to 10 days. Your varicocele may be more likely to come back after this treatment, but sometimes it’s the better choice. If you have the procedure to help with fertility, the doctor will test you in 3-4 months.
How common is varicocele in men?
This condition is fairly common and usually affects young men. About 10 to 15 of every 100 men have this problem. It’s not uncommon for boys to develop varicoceles as they move through puberty. If your varicocele causes problems, your doctor may send you to a specialist called a urologist.
Why do boys have varicoceles?
When varicoceles happen in teen boys, it’s often because of the quick growth they undergo during puberty.
What does it feel like to have a varicocele?
Varicocele is when veins in your scrotum swell and get larger. It’s a lot like a varicose vein that you get in your leg. It might feel like a bag of worms. It usually shows up above one of your testicles, most often the left one. You can usually see it when you stand up, but not when you lie down. It should be harmless, ...
What is the smallest grade of varicoceles?
A Grade 0 is the smallest, and can be seen only with the help of an ultrasound. Grade 3 is the largest, and means your varicocele is big enough that it changes the shape of your scrotum. Treatment. Not all varicoceles require treatment. It’s mostly done if:
Can varicocele cause infertility?
Varicoceles are one of the most common causes of infertility in men. Treating your varicocele should improve your sperm and help with infertility issues. You and the doctor may be able to feel the mass easily. If not, the doctor might ask you to stand, take a deep breath, and hold it while you bear down.
How to diagnose varicocele?
Your healthcare provider may diagnose a varicocele after examining your symptoms during a physical exam. To confirm a diagnosis, you might have an ultrasound test, which can provide more detail of the testicular veins. Your provider may recommend semen tests or blood tests if you are concerned that a varicocele may affect your fertility.
Why do men have varicocele surgery?
Many men choose to have surgery to improve fertility. Several studies have found that sperm numbers and motility (sperm’s ability to reach the egg) improve after varicocele surgery. Couples who have the varicocele fixed may be 40% to 50% more likely to get pregnant than couples who don’t.
What does a varicocele feel like?
Varicoceles may cause mild discomfort, aches or pain, usually in the left testicle. Larger, swollen veins in the scrotal sac often feel or look like a bag of worms (or spaghetti). A small varicocele may be too small to see or feel.
What are the symptoms of a scrotal ache?
Symptoms that get worse after certain activities, such as bike riding or being on your feet for hours. Swollen testicle or scrotum. Size changes or differences in your. Male infertility (inability to have a baby after one year of trying).
What side of the body does varicocele occur?
— about 1 in 5. In most people who have a varicocele, it occurs on the left side. Less commonly, it can sometimes affect the right-sided scrotum or both sides.
How to get rid of scrotum pain?
Wearing tighter fitting underwear (like spandex) or a jockstrap can ease symptoms due to exercise or long periods of standing. Ice: Applying cold packs to the scrotum may help you feel better. To protect your skin, don’t apply ice directly to skin.
What doctor clips off veins?
Your provider may recommend surgery if the condition is painful or negatively impacts your life. In varicocele surgery, a urologist (a doctor specializing in male reproductive organs) clips or ties off the veins that are causing symptoms. The clips stop blood from flowing through those veins.
Why do I have varicoceles?
It's not certain what causes varicoceles. However, many experts believe a varicocele forms when the valves inside the veins in the cord prevent your blood from flowing properly. The resulting backup causes the veins to widen (dilate). This might cause damage to the testicle and result in worsened fertility.
Why do I have varicoceles on my left side?
Varicoceles often form during puberty. Varicoceles usually occur on the left side, most likely because of the position of the left testicular vein.
What is the name of the vein that transports oxygen-depleted blood away from the testicle?
Varicocele. A varicocele is an enlargement of the veins that transport oxygen-depleted blood away from the testicle. A varicocele (VAR-ih-koe-seel) is an enlargement of the veins within the loose bag of skin that holds your testicles (scrotum). A varicocele is similar to a varicose vein you might see in your leg.
Why does my testicle shrink?
It's not clear what causes the testicle to shrink, but the malfunctioning valves allow blood to pool in the veins, which can result in increased pressure in the veins and exposure to toxins in the blood that may cause testicular damage. Infertility.
Can varicoceles cause testicles to shrink?
However, not all varicoceles affect sperm production. Varicoceles can also cause testicles to fail to develop normally or shrink. Most varicoceles develop over time. Fortunately, most varicoceles are easy to diagnose and many don't need treatment. If a varicocele causes symptoms, it often can be repaired surgically.
Can varicocele cause pain?
Symptoms. A varicocele often produces no signs or symptoms. Rarely, it might cause pain. The pain may: Vary from sharp to dull discomfort. Increase with standing or physical exertion, especially over long periods. Worsen over the course of a day. Be relieved when you lie on your back. Impaired fertility.
Can varicoceles cause infertility?
Infertility. Varicoceles might keep the local temperature in or around the testicle too high, affecting sperm formation, movement (motility) and function. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Varicocele care at Mayo Clinic.
What is the decision to treat a varicocele?
The decision to treat a varicocele is made based on the size of the varicocele, the patient’s fertility goals, symptoms of low testosterone levels or scrotal discomfort, blood tests such as testosterone levels, and/or semen analysis findings.
What is a varicocele?
Varicocele is a term used to describe abnormally dilated veins (called the “pampiniform plexus” of veins) in the scrotum.
Why does a varicocele not reduce?
When a varicocele doesn’t reduce, it also raises concern that there is an abdominal blockage such as a mass or tumor that could be causing the mass.
What is a varicocele on one side of the scrotum?
A varicocele on one side of the scrotum has an effect on both testes in regards to function and temperature. As mentioned before, varicoceles that cannot be felt by the physician but are diagnosed by ultrasound or other imaging studies are not considered clinically significant.
What are the problems caused by varicoceles?
Varicoceles can cause three main problems: Impaired fertility, decreased testosterone production by the testis, or scrotal discomfort. For this reason, they are not usually treated unless there is reason for concern about one of these problems.
How to detect varicocele?
Thus, the best way to detect a varicocele is by careful physical examination by a urologist. Even seasoned general urologists often are not confident about the diagnosis, so if there is any doubt, one should obtain an ultrasound and/or see a physician specializing in varicoceles and other scrotal pathology.
How are varicocele embolization coils used?
There are three categories of approaches: With varicocele embolization, small coils are introduced through a vein in the groin area and are used to block the veins in the abdomen feeding the varicocele.
What causes a varicocele to develop?
A spermatic cord holds up each testicle. The cords also contain the veins, arteries, and nerves that support these glands. In healthy veins inside the scrotum, one-way valves move the blood from the testicles to the scrotum, and then they send it back to the heart.
Recognizing the symptoms of a varicocele
You may have no symptoms associated with a varicocele. However, you might experience:
Possible complications
This condition can have an effect on fertility. Varicocele is present in 35 to 44 percent of men with primary infertility and in 45 to 81 percent of men with secondary infertility.
How is a varicocele diagnosed?
Your doctor usually diagnoses the condition after a physical exam. A varicocele can’t always be felt or seen when you’re lying down. Your doctor will most likely examine your testicles while you’re standing up and lying down.
Methods of treatment for varicoceles
It’s not always necessary to treat a varicocele. However, you may want to consider treatment if the varicocele:
Living with a varicocele
Infertility is a common complication of a varicocele. Talk to your doctor about seeing a reproductive specialist if you and your partner are having problems getting pregnant.
How do you treat varicoceles?
Varicoceles affect roughly 15 percent of males, and is traditionally treated using open surgery, microsurgery, or laparoscopic surgery. (i) Though surgery is the most common way to treat varicoceles, this method comes with a number of risks and potential complications based on the need for general anesthesia and its highly invasive nature.
What happens if you have varicocele surgery?
Most types of varicocele surgery require you to undergo general anesthesia that affects the whole body and induces a loss of consciousness, linked to a higher number of complications, including nausea, vomiting, sore throat, and delayed return to normal mental functioning.
How long does it take to recover from varicocele surgery?
1. Faster Recovery Time. Recovery from varicocele surgery usually takes between two and three weeks, and can steal valuable time away from important responsibilities such as work, school, family, and your exercise routine. But treating varicoceles without surgery, by using a method like embolization, significantly reduces the amount ...
Is varicocele surgery non surgical?
Varicocele embolization is a non-surgical treatment that can help you avoid potential varicocele surgery complications, relieve painful symptoms and boost your fertility rate without causing hospitalization and weeks of downtime.
Do you need to stay in the hospital for varicocele surgery?
Moderate sedation is also available for those who do not wish to remain fully conscious for the procedure. 3. No Hospitalization Required. Varicocele surgery normally requires you to stay in the hospital overnight so nurses and doctors can monitor your vital signs and assess for the risk of potential complications.
Is varicocele surgery less expensive?
Varicocele embolization can be performed quickly and conveniently in an outpatient setting, and is usually less costly than surgery and most other treatments. If you’ve been diagnosed with a varicocele, ask your doctor about whether you’re a candidate for varicocele embolization and other minimally invasive non-surgical treatments. ...
What is the procedure for varicoceles?
Microsurgical varicocelectomy through a subinguinal incision (lower portion of the groin) is known to have the best outcomes and is therefore the procedure of choice in treating symptomatic varicoceles. The surgeries are done by urologists and the percutaneous embolization is done by interventional radiologists. 1.
Where is varicocele surgery performed?
Varicocele surgery is performed in the operating room of a hospital or in a specialized surgical center. The surgical tools vary by the procedure and by surgeon preference and experience. Among them:
How long does it take to recover from varicocele surgery?
Recovery from varicocele surgery can take anywhere from one to two days for percutaneous embolization, two to four weeks for laparoscopic surgery, and three to six weeks for open surgery. 14
What is varicocele in men?
Varicocele is a common condition affecting 15% to 20% of all males and 40% of men with infertility. 4 It can cause pain and lead to azoospermia (the absence of motile sperm) and testicular atrophy (shrinkage).
Why does varicocele affect testicle?
6 . Varicocele tends to affect the left testicle more than the right due to the direction of blood flow through the scrotum.
What is the purpose of a varicocelectomy?
Purpose. How to Prepare. What to Expect. Recovery. A varicocelectomy is a surgery done to treat a varicocele, a condition in which veins inside the scrotum (called the pampiniform plexus) become abnormally enlarged. Surgery is generally performed when the swelling of the veins causes chronic pain or male infertility.
Which is better, varicocelectomy or laparoscopic?
The choice of surgery also varies by the goals of treatment. Among them: Microscopic varicocelectomy is considered the treatment of choice for male infertility. Laparoscopic varicocelectomy is better suited for adolescents but can also be used to treat varicocele pain or infertility in men.
