Varicocele is a dilation of the testicular veins that causes blood to pool, causing symptoms such as pain, heaviness, and swelling at the site. It is usually more common in the left testicle, but it can appear on both sides and can even affect both testicles at the same time, being known as a bilateral varicocele.
Since varicocele can cause infertility, as blood buildup can decrease sperm production and quality, it is important to consult the urologist to initiate appropriate treatment and avoid the onset of such complications.
- Varicocele can be cured by surgery.
- But not all cases are able to reach fertility.
- Especially if there is already damage to testicular structures.
- Learn about the other causes that can cause infertility in men.
Common symptoms of varicocele may include
There are also cases where varicocele has no symptoms and therefore can only be diagnosed during routine visits to the urologist.
See other problems that can cause pain in the testicles and what to do in each case.
Varicocele can be identified by the doctor through a test, which must be performed lying down and standing, as in some cases, varicocele may not be felt in certain positions, so an evaluation should be performed in more than one position.
However, an ultrasound may also be necessary to better identify the affected site and the position of the testicular structures.
Treatment of varicocele is generally recommended only when a man has symptoms; for example, in cases of excessive pain or swelling, the urologist may indicate the use of analgesic medications, such as dipirone or ibuprofen, and the use of testicular orthopedic devices.
However, in case of infertility, pain that does not improve or problems with testicular function, a surgical procedure, called varicocelectomy, may be necessary, which eliminates the problem once and for all.
This type of surgery can be performed in 3 different ways
Depending on the type of surgery used, the recovery time may vary, with open surgery being the longest, followed by laparoscopy and finally embolization.Learn more about varicocele surgery.
In any type of surgery, mild pain may occur and therefore comfortable underwear and ice should be applied during the first 24 hours, with the possibility of resuming normal activities at approximately 10 days or as directed by the doctor.
When the testicle has varicocele, it is very common for its size to decrease over time and become more flexible, losing its function, although the specific cause of this is unknown, may be related to an increase in pressure at the site.
In addition, if blood buildup in the varicocele causes an increase in temperature around the testicles, it is also possible that sperm quality may be affected, even in the testicle that is unaffected, which can lead to infertility.