Scrotal Pain: 5 Signs You Have a Varicocele That Requires Treatment

If you’re dealing with scrotal pain, there’s a fair chance a varicocele is to blame. The bulging blood vessel is a varicose vein in your scrotum. Like varicose veins in the legs, varicoceles don’t always need treatment. 

When a varicocele does need medical care, the right option could make a significant difference in your well-being. 

With his expert team at our Midtown Manhattan, New York, practice, double board-certified vascular and interventional radiologist Dr. Yosef Golowa specializes in varicocele embolization to bring you lasting relief without major surgery.

In light of Men’s Health Month, here’s a closer look at varicoceles, including signs your varicocele needs treatment. 

What causes a varicocele

Most anyone with testicles can develop a varicocele. While the exact cause isn’t known, varicoceles may stem from a faulty valve in particular veins in the tissue that holds your testicles in place. When that valve doesn’t function well, blood can accumulate in the veins, raising your odds of swelling and bothersome symptoms. 

Anatomical issues, genetic factors, and hormonal changes may also contribute to varicoceles. Still, there’s no known way to prevent them. 

Signs your varicocele needs treatment

Often, varicoceles are completely asymptomatic. And if you aren’t experiencing symptoms, you don’t need any treatment.

If you develop one or more of the following issues, however, treatment is probably necessary:

1. Aching scrotum pain, which may worsen when you lie down
2. Decreased testosterone levels
3. Testicle or scrotum swelling
4. Testicle atrophy (shrinkage)
5. Infertility, or difficulty achieving pregnancy after a year of trying

Possible signs of low testosterone levels include erectile dysfunction (ED), reduced libido, fatigue, low or anxious moods, and reduced muscle mass.

While the relationship isn’t fully understood, varicoceles are believed to fuel about 40% of male infertility cases. 

Varicocele treatments

Your ideal varicocele treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms. For mild varicoceles, you may only need to avoid clothing and activities that cause discomfort, take an over-the-counter medication, or apply a cold pack to your scrotum for 15 minutes. 

You may benefit from varicocele embolization if you have a more severe varicocele. During this minimally invasive procedure, Dr. Golowa inserts a coil or medication into the vein that supplies your varicocele to block blood flow.

Recovery from varicocele treatment usually takes up to seven days, with only mild discomfort or pain compared to surgery.

To learn more about varicocele treatment or to get the relief you need, call our office today. You can also book an appointment with Dr. Golowa through our website.