Varicocele

Varicocele is a very common condition worldwide, and although it isn’t a life-threatening condition, it can actually affect fertility.

Varicocele

Varicocele occurs when the veins in the scrotum are enlarged because the blood pools in these veins, which are responsible for transporting the blood from the testicles.

Varicocele could affect anyone at any age, and certain cases could be congenital.

Causes of varicocele

• The exact cause of varicocele isn’t known, but it’s thought that the malfunction of the valves inside the veins contributes to it because the job of these valves is to keep the blood moving in the right direction.
• Varicocele tends to occur more in the left testicle because the veins there transfer the blood to the major veins in the body.

Symptoms of varicocele

Typically, varicoceles don’t cause symptoms, which might include:

• A mild pain in the testicle or the scrotum.
• Shrinking of the testicles.
• Swelling of the testicles or scrotum.
• A tiny lump over the affected testicle.
• Varicocele could lead to poor testicular growth for boys who are going through puberty and gradual shrinkage in adults. Varicocele could cause difficulties in fathering a child and infertility in some cases.

Diagnosis of varicocele

• Physical exam.
• Imaging tests.

Treatment of Varicocele

• Varicocele doesn’t require a treatment in most of the cases.
• Some cases could require a varicocelectomy.