Varicocele is the medical name for the swelling and enlargement of the veins in the scrotum, which is the loose skin bag that protects the testicles in men. Varicocele is similar to the “varicose vein” that can be seen in the legs, that is, varicose veins.
Cases are seen in the upper part of the testicles, usually in the left testis. Individuals may not be able to see the varicocele while lying down, but it may become prominent enough to see the eyes when standing up. When touched with the hand, the bag may feel as if there are plastic tubes or worms in it.
Varicocele is a very common medical condition and usually affects young men. This problem can be seen in 10 to 15 percent of men. Varicocele itself may not cause a medical problem, but if it does cause problems, it would be best to consult a urologist.
Varicoceles are a common cause of low sperm production and decreased sperm quality to amounts that can cause infertility. However, sperm production is not affected in all cases of varicocele. Besides infertility, varicocele can cause the testicles not to develop normally or shrink.
REASONS
What Causes Varicocele?
Medical experts have not yet reached a definitive conclusion as to why varicocele occurs. This is thought to be caused by a problem with the blood flow in the spermatic cord, where blood flows to and from the testicles.
This backward gathering can both cause damage to the testicles and cause a decrease in male fertility.
Varicocele usually occurs in boys during puberty. Under normal conditions, it is observed that the left testis is located on the left testicular vein because it is lower than the right testis.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF VARICOCELE?
varicose While I cases are seen on the left testicular vein in 90 percent, in both testicles with a rate of 9 percent, that is bilaterally, the remaining few cases are diagnosed in the right testis. Causes varicocele to develop
A varicocele usually does not cause any signs or symptoms other than its own form. Rarely, it can cause pain. Varicocele pain may range from mild discomfort to sharp pain, and may increase with prolonged standing and physical exertion.
There may be an increase in the level of pain felt from morning to evening. Individuals can relax by getting lighter when they lie on their back. In addition to pain, it can cause a decrease in male fertility.
Varicoceles may become more prominent over time. It is stated that in many cases it looks like a plastic pipe or a bag full of worms. It can cause swelling, almost always in the left testis.
However, asymptomatic varicoceles may generally go undetected if they are not detected during a fertility evaluation or a routine physical examination. However, individuals who experience pain or swelling in the scrotum, feel a mass in the scrotum, notice that their testicles are of different sizes, develop a varicocele in your youth, or have problems with conceiving a child should definitely consult a doctor. There are many medical conditions that cause scrotal masses or testicular pain, some of which require immediate treatment.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF VARICOCELE?
There are two general complications that varicocele can cause apart from pain:
Shrinking of the affected testis, ie atrophy. In human anatomy, most of the testicles consist of tubules that produce sperm. If the testicles are damaged due to the varicocele condition, they will shrink and begin to soften. Although the reasons behind this shrinkage are not fully known, it is suggested that blood accumulates in the veins due to problematic valves, which increases the blood pressure in the vein and causes the surrounding tissues to be exposed to toxins that can cause damage. By keeping the local temperature in the cervix too high, it can affect sperm formation, sperm motility, and prevent them from performing their functions. HOW IS A VARICOCELE DIAGNOSED?
The doctor will perform a physical examination that can reveal any non-tender mass on the individual's testicle that feels like a bag of worms when touched.
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If the varicocele mass is large enough, the individual or the doctor can easily feel this mass. However, if the mass is not large enough, the doctor may ask the individual to stand up, take a deep breath, close the mouth and nose and then try to force the breath out. It helps to feel the enlarged veins.
With the help of Valsalva maneuver, varicocele is evaluated in three different degrees during the examination.
1. Grade: Varicocele with no symptoms observed in the outpatient patient, but palpable during the Valsalva maneuver.
2. Grade: Varicocele, which is mildly observable in the standing patient and in which the veins become clearly visible as a result of the Valsalva maneuver.
If the physical examination is not sufficient, the doctor may request an ultrasound test of the scrotum, that is, the scrotum. During the ultrasound test, sound waves are used to take pictures of the inside of the body.
This test is particularly useful for ruling out causes such as a varicocele or a tumor that may be causing symptoms. It is especially helpful in determining how the treatment should take place in young people.
TREATMENT METHODS
The treatment of varicocele may not be necessary for every individual. Many men with varicocele can become fathers without any treatment. Although varicocele treatment usually results in improvement in sperm quality, an untreated varicocele can cause sperm quality to worsen over time.
In case of male infertility, varicocele treatment can improve infertility or improve sperm quality if techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) are to be used. However, if the varicocele is painful, an operation to repair the varicocele may be considered, especially if it causes progressive testicular atrophy or abnormal sperm counts that progress through puberty.
HOW IS A VARICOCELE SURGERY WORKED?
The purpose of varicocele operation is to compress or close the affected vein to redirect blood flow to normal veins.
Varicocelectomy, that is, varicocele surgery, is an open surgery performed in the hospital. This treatment is usually performed on an outpatient basis in a single day and under the influence of general or local anesthesia. The urologist who will perform the operation will usually approach the affected vessels from the inguinal region, that is, from the inguinal way or from the subinguinal way, but it is also possible to make an incision in the abdomen. The surgeon will then clamp or tie off the abnormal veins with the aid of a microscope. After this operation, blood flow is expected to occur from around the abnormal vessels to the normal ones.
LIFE AFTER VARICOCELE SURGERY
After the surgery, the doctor may recommend not to have sexual intercourse for a period of time. In the majority of cases, improvements in sperm quality can be seen with the help of semen analysis a few months after surgery.
This is because it takes about three months for new sperm to develop.
Blood pressure Wearing tight underwear or an athlete's belt to reduce veins and prevent dilation of the veins can have a similar effect to compression stockings, helping to relieve pain or discomfort in some cases.
Nutrition has nothing to do with the formation or treatment of varicocele. Only individuals with chronic constipation can indirectly benefit from constipation-solving fiber or olive oil diets. It is not possible to treat varicocele with herbal or medicine.
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