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Varicoceles are common and often harmless, but pain, swelling, shrinkage, low testosterone, or infertility are signs that treatment is warranted.
If you are dealing with scrotal pain, there is a fair chance a varicocele is to blame. It is a varicose vein in the scrotum, and like varicose veins in the legs, varicoceles do not always need treatment. When one does, the right option can make a significant difference to how you feel.
Almost anyone with testicles can develop one. The exact cause is not known, but varicoceles may stem from a faulty valve in the veins within the tissue that holds the testicles in place. When that valve stops working properly, blood accumulates in the veins, raising the odds of swelling and symptoms.
Anatomical factors, genetics, and hormonal changes may also contribute. There is no known way to prevent them.
Varicoceles are often completely asymptomatic, and if you have no symptoms you need no treatment. If you develop one or more of the following, however, treatment is probably warranted:
Possible signs of low testosterone include erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, fatigue, low or anxious mood, and reduced muscle mass.
While the relationship is not fully understood, varicoceles are believed to contribute to about 40% of male infertility cases.
The right treatment depends 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 the scrotum for 15 minutes.
For a more severe varicocele, varicocele embolization may help. During this minimally invasive procedure, a coil or medication is placed into the vein supplying the varicocele to block the blood flow.
Recovery usually takes up to seven days, with only mild discomfort compared with surgery.
To learn more about varicocele treatment, call our office at (212) 991-9991 or book an appointment with Dr. Golowa.
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