Varicose veins are an extremely common problem. If such a problem occurs in a man and affects the veins of the spermatic cord and / or testicles, it is called a varicocele. Treatment of a varicocele is imperative because if the veins in this area of the body are left unattended, the risk of male infertility increases dramatically. This pathology occurs quite often - in 10-15% of men. Most often, varicocele occurs in adolescents around the age of 15, but adult men are also not immune from this pathology.
Symptoms, causes and treatment of varicocele
Timely treatment of varicocele is essential in view of the threat of infertility it poses to men. It is worth noting that this pathology may not cause absolutely no symptoms - therefore, often men are not aware of the presence of this problem. There are four stages in the development of a varicocele:
- Hidden - there are no external manifestations and symptoms. Detected during ultrasound and dopplerography.
- Dilated veins can be seen and/or felt when standing upright or during exercise.
- Varicose can be seen in any position, symptoms of the disease appear.
- The vein dilation is clearly expressed, there is a throbbing pain during walking, sometimes it does not stop even at rest.
Symptoms of varicocele (more common in stages 3 and 4)
- discomfort in the testicles during arousal and after sex;
- pain in scrotum while walking;
- change in the size of the scrotum, namely enlargement;
- scrotum prolapse.
Causes of varicocele
As with other cases of varicose veins, varicocele occurs due to increased pressure in the veins that make up the pampiniform plexus of the testis. Features of the location of the veins (if the vessels press on each other) are often a decisive factor in the development of pathology. For the same reason, varicocele often appears on the left.
The second reason is malfunction of the venous valves, which also lead to vasodilation as a result of increased pressure.
Also contribute to the development of varicocele:
- Regular high-intensity exercise;
- renal vein thrombosis;
- increased intra-abdominal pressure (e.g. due to diseases).
The only danger of varicocele is possible infertility, which is the result of:
- increase in testicular temperature (for sperm formation, the temperature of the testicle must be lower than body temperature);
- passage of active substances from the kidneys and adrenal glands to the testicles;
- testicular ischemia;
- Testicular tissue damage due to accumulation of free radicals.
Available methods of treatment of varicocele and their effectiveness
To determine the treatment method for varicocele, Doppler ultrasound is performed - this method allows you to examine in detail the blood vessels and blood flow in the testicle, to determine the presence of backflow of blood into the veins of the spermatic cord. To determine how seriously impaired testicular function is, a spermogram is performed.
Varicocele treatment is mandatory for boys and men who are still planning to have children. If a varicocele is detected in old age, and if it is asymptomatic, surgery can be dispensed with - a varicocele is not life-threatening for the patient.
In order to avoid infertility or to eliminate unpleasant symptoms of pathology, varicocele is treated through surgery:
- Ivanissevich operation (traditional) - making a small incision and ligation or removal of the enlarged section of the vein.
- Laparoscopy - blocking the affected areas of blood vessels with titanium staples.
- Microsurgical revascularization - replacement of the affected epigastric vein.
- Marmar operation - ligation of the veins of the spermatic cord.
Surgical treatment of varicocele is the only effective method of getting rid of the pathology for men who plan to have a child. The doctor will help you choose the best method of surgery, based on the anatomical features of the patient, the degree of the disease and the general health of the patient.
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