What is a varicocele?
A varicocele is an enlargement of the veins around the testis in the scrotum. To ensure that blood flows in only one direction, these veins have valves which prevent blood from flowing backwards. If you have a varicocele, this means that these valves are not working, causing blood to remain stagnant in the scrotum. It is similar to a varicose vein, which can occur in legs.
If you have a varicocele, this may affect your fertility, as varicoceles can cause low sperm production, decreased sperm quality and testicular atrophy.
What symptoms do varicoceles cause?
Generally, varicoceles are asymptomatic, meaning that patients do not experience any symptoms, but in some cases, they can cause pain, which can vary from a dull, heavy discomfort to a sharp pain.
If you do experience pain, you may find that the pain increases with exercise and movement, and that it gets worse over time, as symptoms often get worse over the course of the day. You may experience relief from the pain when you lie on your back.
If I have symptoms, what are my treatment options?
If you experience pain, infertility or testicular atrophy caused by a varicocele, you may undergo treatment for it. There are two main options for treatment of a varicocele:
- Surgical Repair of a varicocele involves a surgeon cutting/tying the veins which supply blood to the varicocele, meaning no blood can reach it.
- Varicocele embolization is an internationally well-established, minimally invasive procedure used to treat varicoceles. During the procedure, a long, thin, special catheter (tube) is inserted into a vein at the top of your leg or arm and guided under imaging to the affected enlarged vein. A special liquid agent or tiny metal coil is used to block blood flow to the vein responsible for the varicocele. This treatment is as effective as surgery, but has less risk, pain and recovery time. Dr Sagoo carries out varicocele embolization at most major hospitals in Nairobi.