Learn About Varicocele
A varicocele is the swelling of the veins inside the scrotum. These veins are found along the cord that holds up a man's testicles (spermatic cord).
Varicose veins - scrotum
A varicocele forms when valves inside the veins that run along the spermatic cord prevent blood from flowing properly. Blood backs up, leading to swelling and widening of the veins. (This is similar to varicose veins in the legs.)
Most of the time, varicoceles develop slowly. They are more common in men ages 15 to 25 and are most often seen on the left side of the scrotum.
A varicocele in an older man that appears suddenly may be caused by a kidney tumor, which can block blood flow to a vein.
Symptoms include:
- Enlarged, twisted veins in the scrotum
- Dull ache or discomfort
- Painless testicle lump, scrotal swelling, or bulge in the scrotum
- Possible problems with fertility or decreased sperm count
Some men do not have symptoms.
A jock strap or snug underwear may help ease discomfort. You may need other treatment if the pain does not go away or you develop other symptoms.
Surgery to correct a varicocele is called varicocelectomy. For this procedure:
- You will receive some form of anesthesia.
- The urologist (surgeon) will make a cut, most often in the lower abdomen, and tie off the abnormal veins. This directs blood flow in the area to the normal veins. The operation may also be done as a laparoscopic procedure (through small incisions with a camera).
- You will be able to leave the hospital on the same day as your surgery.
- You will need to keep an ice pack on the area for the first 24 hours after surgery to reduce swelling.
An alternative to surgery is varicocele embolization. For this procedure:
- A small hollow tube called a catheter (tube) is placed into a vein in your groin or neck area.
- The provider moves the tube into the varicocele using x-rays as a guide.
- A tiny coil passes through the tube into the varicocele. The coil blocks blood flow to the abnormal vein and sends it to normal veins.
- You will need to keep an ice pack on the area to reduce swelling and wear a scrotal support for a little while.
This method is also done without an overnight hospital stay. It uses a much smaller cut than surgery, so you will heal faster.
Unmc Physicians
Christopher Deibert is an Urologist in Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Deibert and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Varicocele. His top areas of expertise are Eunuchoidism Familial Hypogonadotropic, Peyronie Disease, Kidney Stones, Vasectomy, and Prostatectomy. Dr. Deibert is currently accepting new patients.
MercyOne Dakota Dunes Internal Medicine And Pediatrics Care
Steven Joyce is a Pediatrics specialist and an Internal Medicine provider in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota. Dr. Joyce and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Varicocele. His top areas of expertise are Familial Hypertension, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Hypertension, and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).
Eric Daharsh is a Family Medicine provider in Friend, Nebraska. Dr. Daharsh and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Varicocele. His top areas of expertise are Low Potassium Level, Atopic Dermatitis, Epilepsy, and Gitelman Syndrome.
A varicocele is often harmless and often does not need to be treated, unless there is a change in the size of your testicle or a problem with fertility.
If you have surgery, your sperm count will likely increase and it may improve your fertility. In most cases, testicular wasting (atrophy) does not improve unless surgery is done early in adolescence.
Infertility is a complication of varicocele.
Complications from treatment may include:
- Atrophic testis
- Blood clot formation
- Infection
- Injury to the scrotum or nearby blood vessel
Contact your provider if you discover a testicle lump or need to treat a diagnosed varicocele.
Summary: Considering the compelling amount of studies focused on patients in the active phase of COVID-19 disease and the scarcity of studies focused on patient cured from disease aimed at evaluating the sequelae of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the purpose of the study is to investigate, in patients recovered from COVID-19 disease: 1) whether SARS-CoV-2 infection ...
Summary: This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of varicocelectomy in unexplained male infertility with clinical varicocele The primary objective was to assess the pregnancy outcomes in these group. The secondary objective was to analyses improvement in Sperm DNA fragmentation , hormonal profile and semen parameter after varicocelectomy in Unexplained infertility .
Published Date: July 01, 2023
Published By: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Goldstein M. Surgical management of male infertility. In: Partin AW, Domochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 67.
Palmer LS, Palmer JS. Management of abnormalities of the external genitalia in boys. In: Partin AW, Domochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 44.
Schlegel PN. Clinical management of male infertility. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 113.
Silay MS, Hoen L, Quadackaers J, et al. Treatment of varicocele in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis from the European Association of Urology/European Society for Paediatric Urology Guidelines Panel. Eur Urol. 2019;75(3):448-461. PMID: 30316583 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30316583/.