Varicocele is an exclusively male disease, but many members of the stronger sex have never even heard of it. Meanwhile, such a pathology is considered quite common, and it is diagnosed in 15% of the male population of the planet. The disease is usually detected during the search for the causes of male infertility, since in 40% of cases it interferes with the conception of the first child and in 80% of the second. Basically, the development of varicocele of the left testicle occurs (photographs of this disease are present in andrology guides).
What is a varicocele?
This disease is a varicose vein of the testicles and spermatic cord, as a result of which blood flow is disturbed in these organs. Venous blood, instead of entering the inferior vena cava or renal vein, begins to be discharged into the vessels of the testicles, and stagnation occurs there. After some time, blood begins to accumulate at the site of expansion, venous valves and walls can not cope with this. There are problems. Most often, the varicocele of the left testicle occurs, because there is a connection of the renal and seminal veins.
Why does varicocele cause infertility?
As you know, the fluid can hardly be compressed, so the pressure generated by the reverse blood flow begins to be transmitted in all directions. After some time, as a result of high pressure, the veins begin to stretch and increase in size. The strength of their walls can be different, and depending on the strength of the venous pressure, stretching reaches various degrees. The network of veins surrounding the testicle begins to increase significantly, which is why it is as if immersed in a sponge from the vessels. The scrotum is constantly overheating, and cooling of the testicle stops. In order for sperm to develop normally, a lower temperature is needed, which is no longer present. Therefore, varicocele is considered the main factor in infertility in men.
Causes of Varicocele
If you focus on statistics, then in 92% of cases there is varicocele of the left testicle. The reasons for this are due to the anatomical features of the structure of the blood vessel network in the scrotum. The vein of the right testicle flows into the inferior vena cava, and the left into the renal vein, which is often pinched between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. This leads to obstruction of the venous outflow in this direction. It was also found that the valve of the left testicular vein is damaged more often than valves of the right vessel.
The causes of varicocele in the left testicle are:
- weakness of the walls of the vessel, congenital insufficiency of valves, varicose veins in the history of the disease;
- excessive pressure that occurs in the pelvis due to the development of oncopathology, with diarrhea, constipation, etc.
How is varicocele diagnosed?
The andrologist diagnoses this pathology. First, the doctor interviews the patient to identify all concomitant diseases, after which the patient passes all the required tests. If there is a suspicion of varicocele, then in this case an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and dopplerography are prescribed. Such procedures are performed when the patient is standing or lying. If the doctor is experienced, then it will not be difficult for him to determine the varicocele by palpating the spermatic cord.
This disease is also diagnosed using a Valsalva test. The patient needs to strain the press, and the doctor, when probing, determines the enlarged veins in the diseased organ.
Varicocele and cyst of the left testicle
This disease is often accompanied by a complication such as testicular cyst. It interferes with the advancement of sperm, puts pressure on the receptors of the appendage, resulting in neuroreceptor disorders of sexual function. It is removed by surgery.
Varicocele Treatment
How to treat varicocele on the left testicle? The only effective treatment is surgery. Since this disease does not belong to the category of dangerous ones, there is no direct indication for surgical intervention. This is only necessary in the following cases:
- persistent pain in the testicle;
- to eliminate the defect in the scrotum, giving it an aesthetic appearance;
- treatment of male infertility.
However, many experts are inclined to the common opinion that if varicocele is detected in children and adolescents, then the operation must be done to eliminate potential infertility.
To date, the operational method of treating this disease is presented in four ways:
- open operation (according to Ivanissevich);
- endoscopic surgery;
- operation from mini-access;
- microsurgical revascularization of the testis.
Open operation
Such surgical intervention is carried out quite often if a varicocele of the left testicle is diagnosed. The operation according to Ivanissevich is carried out as follows: an incision is made in the iliac region. After the skin and subcutaneous tissue are dissected, they cut the layer of muscles and tendons, find the vein of the testicle in the depths and bandage it. The essence of the operation is the isolation ligation of the veins of the left testicle just above the inner ring of the inguinal canal.
Operation from mini access
A small incision is made in the area of the external inguinal ring, while retreating one centimeter from the base of the penis. As soon as the skin and subcutaneous tissue are dissected, the spermatic cord is found and its veins are ligated. Subsequently, blood from the testicle begins to flow through the superficial veins.
Endoscopic surgery
This technology for the treatment of varicocele in the left testicle is a real breakthrough in surgery. Instead of a cut, five millimeters are punctured. The first puncture is carried out in the navel, a miniature camera is inserted through it, which is connected to a video monitor. On his screen, the surgeon can see everything necessary in the area of operation.
Two more punctures are made and scissors and miniature clamps are inserted through them. Using these tools, the veins of the testis and the artery from under the peritoneum are isolated. Then the surgeon puts titanium braces on the veins of the testicle or bandages them with surgical thread. The operation lasts about thirty minutes.
Microsurgical revascularization of the testis
The operation helps restore normal blood supply to the testicle. In this case, his vein is transplanted into the epigastric vein, which allows to restore the normal outflow of blood from the testicle.
Why can there be pain after surgery?
After the operation has been performed, the patient should be in the hospital for some time. This is necessary in order to avoid complications, although this happens quite rarely thanks to modern methods of treating varicocele. In 90% of cases, painful sensations that may bother after surgery go away quite quickly.
In 10% of cases after surgery, varicocele hurts the left testicle along the spermatic cord. This may be due to an early postoperative complication - lymphostasis of the left half of the scrotum. It occurs due to ligation of the lymphatic vessels. In this case, a second visit to the doctor is required.
Can a varicocele be cured without surgery?
Often men ask the question: if varicocele of the left testicle is found, treatment without surgery is a dream or reality? Most doctors are of the opinion that only surgical intervention helps to eliminate this disease and no medicine can cure it. However, the operation merely eliminates the consequences that have occurred. Therefore, many believe that with varicocele of the left testicle, treatment with folk remedies and the implementation of special exercises bring tangible results. But conservative methods of treatment are possible only with varicocele of the first stage. A disease of the second and third degree requires only surgical treatment.
Thus, with varicocele of the left testicle, the following exercises are effective:
- Light massage of the testicles. It is necessary to lie down on the sofa or slightly raise the pelvis, this allows a preliminary outflow of venous blood. During the massage, the pressure force should be such that pain does not occur.
- Slightly rise to the socks from the floor and quickly fall to the floor. This exercise is done 30 times twice a day. If you experience pain, classes should be discontinued.
- You need to stand up straight, legs brought together. Hands slowly lower down, touching the floor with your fingers. Then slowly rise to the socks. Taking a deep breath, concentrate all their attention on the navel. Abdominal muscles below the waist should be tensed. Then sharply get on the heels, relax and exhale.
With varicocele of the left testicle, treatment with folk remedies is considered equally effective:
- Fresh leaves and heads of silver wormwood are crushed and one tablespoon of sour cream or milk is added to them. All mix well, spread in cheesecloth and put on a problem place. You need to do this for 5 days, then a break of 3 days, after which everything is repeated.
- Equal proportions of chamomile, chestnut flowers, willow bark, raspberry root and medicinal rue are mixed. Pour these ingredients with 0.5 liters of water and boil for 15 minutes. The composition should be infused for a day, and take it inside in the morning and evening for 150 g.
- Take three large apples, boil and insist for three hours. The capacity should be wrapped. After that, the apples are kneaded into gruel and filtered through a strainer. The resulting mixture should be drunk three times a day, 50 g each until the condition improves.
Varicocele Prevention
In order to avoid this disease, preventive measures are carried out that are aimed at observing simple rules that help to avoid stagnation of blood in the inguinal region. You should regularly warm up if the work is sedentary or you have to stand in one place for a long time. It is recommended to do daily exercises with exercises for the legs. Jogging in the morning, daily long walks are considered very useful. If possible, you should swim as much as possible in the pool or open water.
It is also best not to drink or smoke, eat right, adding raw vegetables and fruits to your diet, and not gain excess weight. When performing physical exercises, it is undesirable to allow the testicles to overheat due to tight underwear.
However, such a disease, following these recommendations, can still occur if there is a genetic predisposition. Therefore, preventive measures also include regular examinations by an andrologist.
Prevention of varicocele in a teenage boy should be dealt with by his parents, taking care to detect this disease in a timely manner. They are obliged to explain to him the need for a medical examination and timely treatment in order to avoid possible infertility in the future.
Can pregnancy occur after varicocele surgery?
This disease is considered quite specific, and many men are in no hurry to seek help, postponing a visit to the doctor until the last. But they are very concerned about the question of whether they will be able to have children after the operation. With timely treatment and treatment, the chances of this are very high.
Conclusion
Thus, varicocele of the left testicle, whose photos help to better understand this problem, is not considered a sentence for men who dream of having children. If you go to the doctor on time and get rid of such an unpleasant disease, then the prognosis in this case will be very favorable.