Symptoms of varicocele
Release time : 04/27/2025 09:30:01
Epididymal varicocele refers to a condition in which the return flow of blood from the spermatic veins is obstructed, the valves fail, and blood reflux occurs, leading to congestion and stasis. This results in the dilatation, elongation, and curving of the cavernous plexus.
The majority believes that varicocele can affect sperm production and semen quality, leading to infertility. After surgical treatment, some people can recover their fertility.
Epididymal varicocele refers to the obstruction of the retrograde flow of veins in the spermatic cord, failure of valves, and reverse blood flow, leading to stasis of blood, causing dilation, elongation, and curvature of cavernous venous plexuses.
Varicocele often affects sperm development and semen quality, leading to infertility. Surgical treatment may restore fertility in some individuals.
Epididymal varicocele can be classified into two types: primary epididymal varicocele and symptomatic epididymal varicocele.
Symptomatic varicocele may have a history of primary diseases such as kidney tumors or hydronephrosis.
Patients with primary varicocele may have a history of infertility.
Patients standing, scrotum distension, heaviness and sinking feeling, can be downward abdominal, inguinal or lumbo-sacral radiation, walking and laboring increased, rest in bed after the relief.
The degree of varicose veins can vary from person to person, and sometimes symptoms may be inconsistent with the condition. There may also be symptoms of neurosis or disturbances in sexual function.
The primary symptoms of the condition leading to symptomatic varicocele include abdominal pain, anemia, hematuria, and pelvic mass.
What are the symptoms of varicocele? Some patients with varicocele may be completely asymptomatic, only discovered during physical examination or when undergoing infertility evaluations.
2. Some patients experience a sensation of heaviness or pain in the side scrotum or testicles, with an enlarged scrotum that can be palpated or seen to resemble eel-like swollen vessels. The surface of the scrotum may exhibit dilated and tortuous veins.
Upon palpation, there is a mass-like softness with vermicular (worm-like) characteristics, which becomes more prominent when standing or during abdominal straining. However, it can be alleviated or disappear upon lying down.
Long-term sitting can lead to increased local temperature in the spermatic cord and swelling.
3. Some patients exhibit symptoms of neurasthenia, such as headaches, fatigue, and neurotic reactions, and may even experience diseases related to sexual dysfunction.
Severe cases are often accompanied by symptoms such as general fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, lower back soreness, testicular dampness and coldness, or erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
1. Causes of primary varicocele: 1) The etiology of varicocele is primarily due to congestion of the spermatic vein blood flow.
The human erect posture affects the return of the spermatic veins.
The walls of veins and their surrounding connective tissue are weak, or the cremaster muscle is not well developed.
Veins with defects or insufficiency of valves are prone to varicose veins.
(2) Masturbation.
The varicocele is closely related to masturbation.
(3) The pathological changes of the internal spermatic vein and the blood flow disorder are mutually causative, and the vicious cycle caused by them leads to each other.
Both sides of the spermatic veins can be varicosed separately or simultaneously, but a higher incidence is found in the left side. The reason for this is that the spermatic vein on the left side is about 8-10 cm longer than that on the right side and enters the renal vein obtusely.
The left spermatic vein may be compressed by the colon.
The left renal vein may be compressed between the aorta and the mesenteric artery, affecting the return of the spermatic veins, resulting in what is known as an "en bloc" phenomenon.
The right common iliac artery may impinge upon the left common iliac vein, resulting in obstruction of the retrograde flow of the left spermatic vein and thus creating what is known as "distal 'clamping'."
2. Symptomatic varicocele can be caused by renal tumors that involve the renal vein or inferior vena cava, as well as compression from retroperitoneal tumors, hydronephrosis, or angiogenesis.
The harm caused by varicocele is not only uncomfort, but also affects the patient's life and fertility.
The main hazards of varicocele are as follows:
1. Abnormal semen.
About two-thirds of patients with varicocele are found to have abnormal semen, and a considerable proportion of them can lead to infertility.
2. Infertile patients with varicocele suffer from blood stasis in the spermatic veins, leading to elevated testicular temperatures and hypoxia, thereby interfering with the spermatogenic function of the testis.
It can also cause changes in pH values, affecting the metabolism of the testes, and toxic substances accumulating to poison the spermatogenic cells and sperm.
The consequences could be a reduction in sperm count, decreased motility, and an increase in abnormal sperm, leading to male infertility.
Approximately 50% to 80% of patients with varicocele exhibit abnormal semen analysis results, characterized by reduced sperm count, decreased motility, and abnormal morphology. These factors can lead to male infertility.
3. Discomfort, clinically, 99% of varicocele cases occur on the left side and 1% on both sides.
Typical symptoms of varicocele include a sensation of heaviness or distension in the scrotum or testicle, especially during standing and walking, which worsens with rest.
The men's health has brought great discomfort.
4. Spermatorrhagia can lead to a variety of symptoms including sexual dysfunction due to the condition of varicocele.
Patients with varicocele, if not treated for a long time, may suffer from testicular inflammation and atrophy. This can damage the testicles, affecting their function, impacting endocrine function, and reducing testosterone production, leading to erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, decreased libido, reduced sexual pleasure, and painful intercourse, among other sexual dysfunctions.
5. Potential Complications: Varicocele can be accompanied by complications such as testicular atrophy, inguinal hernia, lower limb varicocele, and epididymal cyst.
How should varicocele be treated? Varicocele poses significant risks to male work, life, and fertility. Therefore, it is imperative to seek timely medical examination and treatment at reputable hospitals. There should be no lingering hope for the condition to improve, as delaying treatment can lead to worsening of the condition.
1. For mild epididymal varicocele symptoms that are not severe and do not have associated complications, non-surgical treatment should be the first choice. This includes the use of scrotal compression bandages, local cold compresses, and avoiding sexual intercourse excessively to reduce the congestion of the venous plexus.
For individuals exhibiting symptoms of neurasthenia, explanations are provided to alleviate psychological burden. Where necessary, appropriate dosages of sedatives are administered.
2. Interventional therapy involves inserting a catheter through the inferior vena cava and left renal vein into the internal spermatic vein, then injecting 5% sodium oleate or gelatin sponge and a steel ring to embolize this vein for the treatment of varicocele.
The disadvantage is that venous anomalies or collateral circulation are unsuitable for embolization and special equipment is required.
This method is now rarely used.
3. Open surgery is a commonly used and effective treatment method in clinical practice.
The indications for surgery include: ① those with pronounced clinical symptoms or whose symptoms do not improve after conservative treatment.
2. For patients with varicocele accompanied by infertility or abnormal semen, regardless of the severity of symptoms, surgical treatment should be performed.
2. Children and adolescents with varicocele should undergo surgical treatment at an early stage to prevent testicular atrophy and spermatogenic dysfunction in adulthood.
The surgical approaches mainly include varicocele ligation, anastomosis, and varicocele embolization.
4. Treatment with traditional Chinese medicine.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the primary cause of varicocele in men is liver qi stagnation and blood stasis.
Or damp-heat descending, obstructing veins.
Or carrying heavy loads, traveling long distances, or staying in one place for an extended period of time can cause damage to the tendons and muscles.
Or the liver and kidney are deficient, leading to the veins being inadequately nourished. Or the spleen and stomach are deficient, causing the blood and qi to flow unabruptly and thus giving rise to this disease.
Traditional medicine employs the "Tongsu Shumo" formula, which is effective in warming and nourishing the liver and kidneys and dispelling cold to promote qi flow.
5. Timely treatment of urinary and reproductive system infections, such as prostatitis and urethritis, can reduce the likelihood of inflammation, which is an important strategy for preventing varicocele.
How to Prevent Varicocele? Varicocele is a hidden problem for many men. However, if you ignore this male reproductive disorder, the consequences could be severe. According to statistics, approximately 35% of men suffering from varicocele are unable to conceive due to this condition.
How should we prevent varicocele in daily life? 1. Avoid excessive anger, protect the liver, and adjust dietary habits, avoiding spicy foods.
2. Avoid prolonged standing; if necessary, try to stand with your feet alternating. That is, bend one foot slightly and distribute the weight of your body on it. Alternatively, alternate between moving your legs around or shaking them off. Take opportunities to move around and stretch.
3. Correct posture is important; avoid slouching or crossing your legs, as these actions can affect blood circulation.
4. Maintain regular sexual activity to prevent overstimulation, and regularly wear loose underwear or use an scrotum support to prevent scrotal descent.
5. You can lie flat on your bed and perform activities such as cycling, leg lifts, and leg flexion and extension to enhance the elasticity of your leg muscles and facilitate blood flow, thus alleviating varicose veins.
6. Consuming more Vitamin C and E can also help improve blood circulation.
*The medical information provided in this text is for reference only.
If there is any discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately. The diagnosis and treatment should be based on the examination by a physician in person.