The Private Clinic lifts the lid on the subject of varicoceles - varicose veins in the scrotum.
Varicose veins are thought to affect 1 in 3 people at some point in their lifetime. There is a whole host of superstitions and pseudo-science knocking about for what you can do to avoid varicose veins and there’s a lot people don’t know about varicose veins including the ones you can get in the scrotum! What better way to shine a light on this problem than with a Q&A.
Not many people know (even those with them) but you can get varicose veins in the scrotum, known as varicoceles. A varicocele is an enlarged vein and its function is impaired, leading to a pooling of blood and a bulging appearance. They can impact upon how males keep the testes at the right temperature range.
To be more precise, a varicocele is an enlargement (dilation) of pampiniform plexus veins in the scrotum, specifically within the spermatic cord. In adolescence, this can impair the development of the testes and in adults they can affect the counter-current heat exchange. They are similar to the more well-known and common varicose veins in the legs. Left-side varicoceles are more commonly found than right-side varicoceles.
How common are they? Well, they are thought to occur in around 15% of men and of all men seeking fertility help, 40% of men in one report were found to have varicoceles.
You may have incompetent or absent valves in the affected veins, which we promise isn’t as insulting as it may sound. Left-sided varicoceles are probably more common because the way the left spermatic vein enters the renal vein under relatively high pressure may result in some backflow.
They can affect fertility. They can also be responsible for testicular atrophy. At some stage, while they may not be painful presently, they may become uncomfortable – usually a dull, aching sensation that flares up when exercising.
If you are experiencing discomfort, while you wait for an appropriate treatment, try supportive underwear, lying on your back where possible and medicines like ibuprofen.
One of the most peculiar things about varicoceles is that many men with them don’t know. Many are not painful, giving little reason to be concerned. Lots of the time, it’s uncovered with fertility testing. A standing up self-assessment may offer some clues if you are concerned and the appearance of them has been likened to a “bag of worms”. Always talk to your GP first, if you believe you have varicoceles.
You can have surgical repair or now the more favoured embolisation procedure, in which a tiny metal coil is carefully positioned in the affected veins to shut it down safely. Reoccurrence is a risk but a good medical team will ensure that this risk is kept to an absolute minimum. Always ask your surgeon and clinic about success rates and any other questions you may have.
Select a suggestion below...