One in five men is diagnosed with a varicocele during their lifetime.
This is a dangerous expansion of the veins that are located in the scrotum. Most often, the disease appears in men over 50 years old, but the first signs may appear as early as adolescence.
What is a varicocele, why is this disease dangerous and what symptoms it manifests, told in Men’s Health.
What is a varicocele
This is a varicose vein that is located in the scrotum. The disease usually begins with the left testicle. Most often, it is associated with age-related varicose changes, but it can also be triggered by hormonal changes at any age.
Perhaps the appearance of varicocele in adolescence — due to puberty. Or — in any other due to a sharp change in hormonal balance. This happens if a man begins to gain weight sharply or loses it quickly.
Scientists cannot give an exact answer about the causes of varicocele, but now they name two dangerous factors: the work of venous valves and kidney disease. Violation of the venous valves does not allow blood to circulate normally through the vessels, so blood supply to the genital organs is disrupted.
If there are problems with the kidneys, especially cysts or tumors, the outflow of blood through the veins of the scrotum is blocked. And this also leads to stagnation of blood.
Why varicocele is dangerous
Due to varicose veins, blood flow begins to suffer, and a lot of blood accumulates in the vessels. This leads to an increase in temperature in the scrotum. Spermatozoa are very sensitive to temperature and constant heating is very harmful for them.
If you do not notice the signs of the disease in time and do not start treatment, the spermatozoa will lose their mobility and fertility will begin to decline sharply.
And then the testicular tissues will begin to suffer — they will soften, collapse, and complete atrophy of this organ may occur. And this process is already irreversible and cannot be treated.
What symptoms indicate varicocele
In most cases, the disease is asymptomatic. But there are signs that indicate that it is worth getting an examination:
- Dull pain or discomfort in the scrotum that goes away when lying down
- Increased discomfort while riding cycling, walking or standing for a long time
- Enlargement of the scrotum on one or both sides
- Inability to conceive
Only a doctor can diagnose the disease . Usually, an examination of the scrotum and an ultrasound scan is enough for this.
When the disease passes into a serious stage, you will have to undergo an operation. But with a slight expansion of the veins, doctors give recommendations and prescribe treatment.