Varicocele
Overview
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Varicoceles may not always have symptoms. When they do appear, symptoms may include:
- Feeling of heaviness or soreness in the scrotum.
- Feeling enlarged, or twisted veins in the scrotum. They can feel like worms or spaghetti.
- Veins typically change in size and are larger when standing or straining.
Varicoceles may cause the testicle to be smaller. It may also contribute to male infertility by reducing sperm quality and/or quantity.
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Varicoceles are usually easily diagnosed by exam. Your doctor may recommend tests to confirm varicoceles or rule out other conditions.
Tests may include:
- Ultrasound
- Semen tests
- Blood tests to look for testicular injury in adolescents
Treatments
Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment is not required for all varicoceles. Treatment is generally recommended if a varicocele is causing infertility, change in testicle size, or if it is causing pain.
Options may include one or more of the following:
Home Care
To help ease discomfort, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers. In some cases, you may need to wear supportive or athletic underwear.
Surgery
Surgical treatment options include:
- Open surgery—the veins are surgically cut and tied off through an incision in the groin
- Catheter ablation—heat is applied through a catheter to destroy the vein
- Catheter embolization—a substance is placed in the vein(s) to block it
- Laparoscopic varicocelectomy—involves the use of a thin, lighted tube inserted into the abdomen to view the vessels in the body as they lead to the testicle and block them
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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a (Varicose Veins—Scrotum)
RESOURCES
Reproductive Facts—American Society for Reproductive Medicine http://www.reproductivefacts.org
Urology Care Foundation http://urologyhealth.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Health Canada https://www.canada.ca
The College of Family Physicians of Canada http://www.cfpc.ca
References
Khera M, Lipshultz LI. Evolving approach to the varicocele. Urol Clin North Am. 2008;35(2):183-189.
Painless scrotal mass. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/genitourinary-disorders/symptoms-of-genitourinary-disorders/painless-scrotal-mass. Updated March 2017. Accessed March 8, 2018.
Robinson SP, Hampton LJ, Koo HP. Treatment strategy for the adolescent varicocele. Urol Clin North Am. 2010;37(2):269-278.
Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Report on vericocele and infertility: A committee opinion. Fertil Steril. 2014;102(6):1556-1560.
Varicocele in adults. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T909425/Varicocele-in-adults . Updated January 29, 2016. Accessed March 8, 2018.
Varicocele. Kids Health—Nemours Foundation website. Available at: http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/varicocele.html. Updated February 2017. Accessed March 8, 2018.
Varicoceles. Urology Care Foundation website. Available at: http://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/varicoceles?article=116. Accessed March 8, 2018.
Wampler SM, Llanes M. Common scrotal and testicular problems. Prim Care. 2010;37(3):613-629.