Medication
In the case of pain, testicular atrophy or infertility, you may want to consider varicocele treatment. Male infertility is responsible for about half of conception issues in couples looking to get pregnant and, for many, the problem is a low sperm count related to varicoceles.
Procedures
Viewing your enlarged veins on a monitor, the doctor releases coils or a solution that causes scarring to create a blockage in the testicular veins, which interrupts the blood flow and repairs the varicocele. This procedure isn't as widely used as surgery.
Nutrition
If you already have a varicocele diagnosis or are experiencing symptoms, call 866-705-VEIN (8346) to schedule an appointment with a vascular specialist.
When should you consider varicocele treatment?
Although treatment of a varicocele generally improves sperm characteristics, it's not clear if an untreated varicocele leads to progressive worsening of sperm quality over time. Varicocele repair presents relatively few risks, which might include:
How is a varicocele in the testicle treated?
How do I get an appointment for a varicocele diagnosis?
Does varicocele repair improve sperm quality over time?
When should I seek treatment for varicocele?
Small varicoceles that cause no symptoms or infertility complications likely won't need treatment. But if the enlarged veins are uncomfortable or interfering with fertility, you may need varicocele repair surgery.
Is it OK to leave varicocele 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.
Should I get varicocele checked out?
It's a good idea to get a testicular exam regularly, which is normally part of a guy's regular checkup. Besides visually checking for any unusual lumps or bumps, the health care provider might feel the testicles and the area around them to make sure a guy's equipment is in good shape and there are no problems.
What will happen if testicular varicocele is not treated?
Varicocele is the engorgement of veins within the scrotum. Untreated, it may cause low sperm production and decreased sperm quality, which may lead to infertility.
Should I be worried about varicocele?
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.
Do varicoceles get worse over time?
Varicoceles sometimes enlarge over time and this usually makes them more noticeable. In some men, varicoceles cause pain. This pain can vary from sharp to dull. Usually, it gets worse over the course of a day.
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.
Does mild varicocele need surgery?
A varicocele often doesn't need to be treated. For a man experiencing infertility, surgery to correct the varicocele may be a part of the fertility treatment plan.
Does grade 3 varicocele require surgery?
Conclusion: In patients with grade 3 varicocele, microsurgery and naked eye surgical methods proved similar results in terms of success and complications. Because the operation time of the classical varicocelectomy is significantly shorter, it may be preferred in this subset of patients.
Is surgery required for Grade 1 varicocele?
Answers (1) Grade one varicocele does not required surgery, nither it affects once sexual performance. Just wear scrotal support during day time.
How long can a varicocele last?
You'll probably see improvements in 6 months, but it could take a year. A little more than half of the infertile men who have the procedure benefit from it. Surgery is also successful for most teens who have it to fix slow testicular growth.
Is surgery required for grade 2 varicocele?
Not all varicoceles require surgery. Surgery has the potential to cause testicular damage..... However, the primary treatment of varicoceles is surgery and indications include: Pain.... infertility ...
How long can a varicocele last?
You'll probably see improvements in 6 months, but it could take a year. A little more than half of the infertile men who have the procedure benefit from it. Surgery is also successful for most teens who have it to fix slow testicular growth.
Can varicocele be cured naturally?
Bringing necessary dietary changes such as increasing the intake of fiber and antioxidant-rich foods hasten the process of healing the varicocele faster. Light yoga exercises that stimulate the blood flow through the groin region is an excellent natural way of curing varicocele.
Can varicocele symptoms come and go?
Varicoceles are usually painless but can sometimes cause aching testicles or pain that may come and go.
Can a varicocele burst?
A varicocele is present in about 15% of healthy males [1, 2]. A spontaneous rupture of a varicocele, resulting in an acute scrotal hematoma however, is a rare phenomenon. Sudden increase in abdominal pressure, resulting to an increased venous pressure can lead to a rupture of the varicocele.
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.
What happens if you don't get treatment for a varicocele?
Possible Complications If You Don’t Get Varicocele Treatment. If you don’t seek treatment for your varicocele, it can damage the affected testicle. In about 85 percent of men, the varicocele occurs on the left side. [iv] The varicocele may cause the testicle to atrophy or shrink.
What is a varicocele?
It’s unclear why this happens, but a varicocele is basically a testicular varicose vein, like many people get in their legs. Just like leg varicose veins, a varicocele is linked to malfunctioning valves. Veins transport blood towards the heart for oxygenation, but they must work against gravity to accomplish the task.
What percentage of men have varicocele?
These are common causes, but varicoceles are often the root cause of both these problems. It is estimated that as many as 15 percent of males have a varicocele, including 40 percent of the men experiencing infertility issues. [ii] If you have a varicocele, you should know what happens if you don’t get varicocele treatment.
Why does my testicle shrink?
The pooling blood around the testicle increases the pressure , which may cause the shrinkage. Infertility is another strong possibility for those who don’t get varicocele treatment.
Can varicoceles cause overheating?
Infertility is another strong possibility for those who don’t get varicocele treatment. Untreated varicoceles of large veins can cause overheating. That, in turn, affects the number, mobility, and quality of the sperm. [v] Men who are infertile and diagnosed with varicoceles often have low testosterone levels, too.
Can you have varicocele without testicle pain?
Whether or not you seek treatment for your varicocele depends on a number of factors, including whether you experience symptoms or not. Some men have varicoceles without symptoms like testicular pain . [iii] It’s just as likely, though, that the varicocele side effects like infertility are what sent you to the doctor in the first place.
Can you treat varicocele?
If you have been diagnosed with a varicocele, there are some instances that treatment may not be necessary. In the case of pain, testicular atrophy or infertility, you may want to consider varicocele treatment.
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 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 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 to do if your sperm hurts?
If yours hurts, the doctor may tell you to take ibuprofen for the pain. If you do need treatment, the goal will be to tie off or remove the veins that supply blood to your spermatic cord. You might have: Varicocelectomy: The doctor will make a 1-inch cut into your scrotum.
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:
When does varicocele pain start?
Varicocele pain typically starts to before puberty and rarely appears as a new symptom in older men.
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 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.
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).
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.
Why do my testicles swell?
Like varicose veins, the condition can be caused when valves inside the veins don't work properly. As a result, blood backs up in the veins and causes them to widen and swell.
Can varicoceles be seen on touch?
Varicoceles are often found during routine physical exams or during infertility workups. They are classified as small, medium or large depending upon whether they can be easily seen or found only by touch. Many men have no symptoms, but those who do may experience pain, discomfort, or scrotal swelling.
What does a doctor refer to when diagnosing varicocele?
For diagnostic purposes, your doctor may refer to your condition as “scrotal varices. ”. Your doctor may also refer to a grading system to describe your varicocele. Clinical grade is one of the most important factors in determining varicocele management.
How to tell if you have a varicocele?
Common symptoms of a varicocele include: (i) Groin pain. Swollen veins in the testicles. One testicle is larger than the other. Pain that gets worse when you’re standing. Pain that lessens when you’re lying down. Pain that gets worse in hot weather. Pain that gets worse after exercising.
Why do varicoceles form?
A primary varicocele develops due to malfunctioning valves in your veins, which cause blood to pool in one area of the vein. Secondary varicoceles develop when a mass in your scrotum blocks blood flow. Both primary and secondary varicoceles can be graded using the classification system below. (iii)
How to detect grade 1 varicoceles?
During this exam, your doctor has you perform breathing exercises, such as the Valsalva maneuver, to assist in detecting any abnormal enlargement of the veins, while your doctor feels your scrotum.
What is a varicocele ultrasound?
The varicocele ultrasound examines the tissue in your scrotum using ultrasound technology. An ultrasound can help your doctor determine whether your varicocele is causing significant damage to your testicles. It can also rule out other potential health problems with similar symptoms. (iv)
Can varicoceles cause pain?
It’s important to understand that varicoceles usually do not lead to any serious health problems. Up to 15 percent of men have them, and they often don’t cause any symptoms. (ii) But, in some men , varicoceles symptoms can still develop. Common symptoms of a varicocele include: (i) Groin pain.
Can a scrotal ultrasound be done for varicoceles?
(iv) Although varicoceles can often be diagnosed through a physical or visual exam, your doctor may also recommend a scrotal ultrasound.
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.
What is a varicocele?
Varicocele are enlarged veins of the scrotum that resemble a bag of worms just under the surface of your skin. They are similar to varicose veins that develop in your legs due to poor circulation. The underlying cause of varicoceles aren’t well understood, but dysfunction in the valves of the spermatic cord that carries blood to ...
What is it called when you have enlarged veins in your testicles?
Everything You Need to Know about Varicocele. Noticeably enlarged veins in the scrotum, the bag of skin that covers your testicles, are known as varicocele. While these veins may not cause any symptoms or pose a risk to your health, some can interfere with your fertility.
Why do my testicles get enlarged?
If the valves aren’t working properly, they can cause blood to back up in the veins, causing them to become enlarged. As the veins become wider, they can damage your testicles and interfere with sperm production. Varicocele can form at any time but are most common during puberty.
Can varicocele be repaired?
But if the enlarged veins are uncomfortable or interfering with fertility, you may need varicocele repair surgery. To determine if you’re a candidate for this type of surgery, your provider at Urology Specialist Group ...
Can varicocele cause pain?
When to seek help for varicocele. Varicocele generally don’t cause symptoms and many men aren’t aware they have them. The Urology Specialist Group physicians often discover varicocele in patients during a routine prostate exam. However, very enlarged veins can cause discomfort that ranges from a dull ache to a sharp pain in the testicles.
Can you get a varicocele back after surgery?
Surgery to repair varicocele can improve your fertility efforts and the quality of your sperm. The surgery carries few risks but it’s possible that even with treatment varicocele may return.