What are the symptoms of varicocele?

Symptoms of VARICOCELE are: (1) Scrotum or testicle pain. (2) Visibly enlarged blood vessels on the scrotum

Varicocele Quiz

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After graduating from Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Dr. Saito worked at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Toda Chuo General Hospital, Tokyo Women's Medical University Yachiyo Medical Center, and Ako Chuo Hospital before becoming Deputy Director (current position) at Takasaki Tower Clinic Department of Ophthalmology and Urology in April 2020.

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Learn more about Varicocele

Content updated on Nov 2, 2022

What is varicocele?

A varicocele is a condition where the veins in your scrotum become enlarged. The exaxt cause is unknown, but experts believe that it may be due to defective valves in the veins within your scrotum. The valves regulate the flow of blood to and from the testicles. It may occur from compression of a vein by a nearby structures as well. Varicoceles may lead to decreased sperm production and quality.

Symptoms of varicocele

Scrotum or testicle pain
Visibly enlarged blood vessels on the scrotum

Questions your doctor may ask to check for varicocele

Your doctor may ask these questions to diagnose varicocele

Do you have pain in your scrotum?
Do you have visibly enlarged blood vessels on or in your scrotum? (like a bag of worms)

Treatment for varicocele

Treatment for varicocele might not be necessary if it's not causin any issues. However, if symptoms such as pain, infertility or shrunked testicles persist, surgery which seals off the affected vein to redirect blood flow into normal veins is usually recommended.

View the symptoms of Varicocele

Diseases related to Varicocele

References

Jensen CFS, Østergren P, Dupree JM, Ohl DA, Sønksen J, Fode M. Varicocele and male infertility. Nat Rev Urol. 2017 Sep;14(9):523-533. doi: 10.1038/nrurol.2017.98. Epub 2017 Jul 4. PMID: 28675168.
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrurol.2017.98
Masson P, Brannigan RE. The varicocele. Urol Clin North Am. 2014 Feb;41(1):129-44. doi: 10.1016/j.ucl.2013.08.001. PMID: 24286772.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094014313000785?via%3Dihub
Alsaikhan B, Alrabeeah K, Delouya G, Zini A. Epidemiology of varicocele. Asian J Androl. 2016 Mar-Apr;18(2):179-81. doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.172640. PMID: 26763551; PMCID: PMC4770482.
https://www.ajandrology.com/article.asp?issn=1008-682X;year=2016;volume=18;issue=2;spage=179;epage=181;aulast=Alsaikhan
Chiba K, Ramasamy R, Lamb DJ, Lipshultz LI. The varicocele: diagnostic dilemmas, therapeutic challenges and future perspectives. Asian J Androl. 2016 Mar-Apr;18(2):276-81. doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.167724. PMID: 26698233; PMCID: PMC4770499.
https://www.ajandrology.com/article.asp?issn=1008-682X;year=2016;volume=18;issue=2;spage=276;epage=281;aulast=Chiba

Reviewed By:

Nao Saito, MD (Urology)

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