What is Varicocele?

A varicocele is a network of dilated blood vessels, or varicose veins, in the scrotum. It is usually predominant in the left side of the testis. A varicocele is a common condition affecting typically young men in their second or third decade of life. This condition affects 15 to 20% of the general male population and 40% of infertile men.

How Do I Get Varicocele?

Due to the weakened vessel valves that carry blood away from the testis, the flow is reversed, causing stagnation and pooling of blood in the scrotum. As a result, blood flows backwards, causing "back pressure," which results in stretching and enlargement of the network of small veins surrounding the testes, resulting in a varicocele.

What Are The Varicocele Symptoms?

Here are the symptoms of varicocele:

• Dull aching pain in the scrotum, especially after prolonged standing
• Dragging sensation or heaviness in the scrotum
• Sharp, shooting pain in the scrotum
• A feeling of a cord-like or thready mass in the scrotum

Additionally, varicoceles can be associated with:

• Decreased fertility or infertility
• Elevated testicular temperature
• Reduced sperm count and quality

Treatment of varicoceles can improve sperm parameters in many cases, leading to enhanced fertility outcomes for affected individuals.

Diagnosed and Treatment

A varicocele is usually found in the left testicle and can feel like a "bag of worms." Ultrasound scan is the simple mode of varicocele diagnosis.

Varicocele Treatment Options

Surgery: It is an age-old method involving surgical opening, cutting, and suturing. Surgical treatment necessitates an incision, and the patient may require several days or even weeks to resume normal activities. Studies have shown that embolization and surgery are equally effective.

Embolization: This is an advanced non-surgical IV cannula angiography technique performed as an outpatient procedure. It is a daycare procedure with no cuts or sutures. Embolization does not require stitches or general anesthesia, and only a small IV cannula technique is used. The patients can resume normal activities after 24 hours.

How are Varicocele and Fertility Related in Men?

All adolescents with varicoceles should be treated to avoid future infertility. The varicocele embolization treatment definitely helps improve fertility associated with varicocele.

What is The Embolization of Varicocele?

Varicocele embolization is usually an outpatient procedure with sedation and local anesthesia. A small IV saline cannula is put in either the groin or hand and small tubes and wires are negotiated through it into the blood vessels to stop backflow in the scrotal vessels. It is done under X-ray or lab guidance, leaving the normal flow intact.

What is The Success Rate of Embolization?

• Embolization has a success rate of more than 95%.
• These outcomes are more effective than those obtained through more invasive surgical procedures.
• Varicocele embolization has been used for over 25 years and has a proven safety track record.

Are There Any Complications With Varicocele Embolization?

There are no potential complications associated with this procedure. Minor transient or temporary symptoms like bruising at the entry site, mild backache, or nausea (rare) may occur. Complications related to surgery are exceedingly rare with an embolization procedure.

Embolization does not affect sexual function. Sexual activity can be resumed the day after the embolization. However, as sperm takes about three months to mature, improvement in fertility may take three months or longer.

Frequently Asked Questions