Varicocele is one of the most common diseases among men; it affects approximately 15% of males. Varicocele treatment is done in some cases, such as when severe pain occurs or if the varicocele affects male fertility.
What is a varicocele?
Varicocele is an enlargement of one or several veins inside the scrotum, usually the veins accompanying the spermatic cord (cord transporting sperm from the testicles to the penis).
90% of patients have a varicocele on the left side, while 10% have bilateral varicoceles. That is, they appear on the left and right sides together.
The doctor determines whether a person has a varicocele or not through an examination. In contrast, in advanced cases, a varicocele is clear and is seen by the naked eye, while in mild cases, it is only discovered by feeling it with your hands.
How is a varicocele diagnosed?
The patient is clinically examined. It can also be examined by ultrasound to see if the patient has a varicocele or not. The varicocele is greater on the left side than on the right side. As mentioned above.
What are varicoceles' causes?
The cause of varicocele is still not clear, but many studies believe that the main cause of varicocele is the improper functioning of testicular vessel valves. These valves transport blood to the heart and then close to prevent the blood from returning.
Any problem within these valves may lead to a return of blood, and then it collects in the veins, leading to the occurrence of a varicocele.
As we mentioned, most often varicocele occurs in the left testicle, because the angle of the vein on the left side is more vertical than on the right testicle.
What are varicoceles' symptoms?
It is common for many men to have a varicocele without even knowing it. and with some symptoms, will determine if a man has varicocele disease or not. Among these symptoms:
- Enlargement of the blood vessels in the testicle.
- Feeling pain in the scrotum due to the accumulation of blood in this area as a result of enlarged veins.
- Shrinking the size of both testicles or one of the testicles in an unusual way
- The feeling of pain in the testicle area increases when standing, after exercising, and in hot places
- A lump inside the scrotum
- Male fertility problems
What are the varicocele types?
Varicoceles are divided into 3 main types:
1. The first type cannot be seen with the naked eye or felt as something prominent in the testicle, which is the simplest form, and is confirmed by what is known as the Valsalva maneuver.
2. The second type, which is a moderately affected type, cannot be seen with the naked eye, but it can be felt when performing a medical examination on the testicular area.
3. The third type, which is the advanced stage of varicocele, is when varicose veins are prominently and visibly formed and can be seen by the eye without the need for any medical examination.
What is varicocele treatment?
It does not necessarily treat a man who has a varicocele. The doctor sometimes refuses treatment in some cases. Varicocele treatment is done in some cases, such as when there is severe pain or if the varicocele affects male fertility.
1- Laparoscopic surgery
A small camera is inserted through a tiny incision, and another incision is made to insert the surgical tools. However, this type of surgery is rarely used.
2- Open surgery
It is the most common method of varicocele treatment and is performed under general or local anesthesia through a small incision in the abdomen. Microscopy is used to reduce the possibility of complications.
One of the most important advantages of the operation is the rapid recovery from this operation, in addition to the lack of feeling of pain due to surgery.
Varicocele treatment without surgery
The method of varicocele treatment without surgery is to make a small incision in the groin area, then a small tube is inserted into the affected area starting from the femoral vein and up to the testicular vein, then a certain dye is used to facilitate seeing the area affected by varicocele.
Catheter treatment is similar to surgical treatment in terms of effectiveness. It is also superior to surgical treatment in reducing the chances of infertility that may sometimes occur as a result of surgical intervention.
Also, many scientific studies have shown that 60% of males who have undergone this type of varicocele treatment are not affected in their ability to conceive.
Varicocele treatment with drugs
The doctor prescribes some medications that help with varicocele treatment, according to the degree of varicocele. Sometimes medicines have better results than surgery, and this is the matter.
The doctor alone determines it, and perhaps the most prominent medicines that may be prescribed are the medicines that work to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, as well as drugs that may help increase fertility.
In men, and sometimes in the case of feeling a slight pain, some may resort to painkillers, and perhaps one of the most prominent drugs used in the varicocele treatment is antioxidants, due to their role in relieving oxidative stress in the testes.
How long does the varicocele operation take?
Varicocele treatment operation has become one of the easiest operations, as the operation naturally takes from 30 to 60 minutes, it is performed under general anesthesia for the patient, and the operation does not require any time.
It is normal to stay in the hospital after the completion of the operation, but in approximately 20% of those who undergo the operation, the doctor recommends that they stay in the hospital for one or two days at a time, max, to follow up.
How to prevent varicocele?
- Wear loose-fitting clothes.
- Take some prescriptions prescribed by the doctor.
- Eat foods that increase fertility and that are rich in vitamins.
- To stop smoking or not to be in places where there are smokers
- Eat foods rich in folic acid, such as vegetables.
