ABOUT THE DISEASE

Varicocele is a swelling / widening of veins in the scrotum (the bag of skin that contains the testicles).

It is most common in young men & mostly occurs on the left side.

SYMPTOMS

Many a times the enlarged / twisted veins in the scrotum go unnoticed. However the following symptoms might occur:

• Dull ache in the scrotum esp after some exercise or standing for long.
• Swelling on one side of the scrotum.
• A lumpy feeling in the scrotum.
• Slower growth or reduced size of the testicle on the side of the varicocele.
• Some men may have problems with fertility.

CAUSES

The swelling is due to blood backing up in the vein that leads from the testicle back to the body as the valves inside the vein are not working properly. (similar to varicose veins seen in legs). In rare cases a kidney tumour might cause it by blocking the blood flow.

DIAGNOSIS

- Physical examination

TREATMENT METHODS

- In mild cases-usually no treatment is required
- In severe cases, options are:

• Varicocele Surgery - Open / Laproscopic
• Varicocele Embolization

You may also like to learn about:

Hydrocele
Hypospadias
Varicose vein
Scrotal swelling
Testis undescended
Testicular torsion