Varicocele is a pathological expansion of the veins in the testicles, which provokes a deterioration in blood circulation in them. Often, such a violation is combined with other lesions of the venous system, for example, with hemorrhoids.
This is one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases and occurs in approximately 35% of men. Often, varicocele is found in reproductive age and in adolescents. With the course of pathology, the normal functioning of venous valves localized from the inside of the vein is disrupted. Since the disease can be asymptomatic, this can lead to the development of complications, in particular, infertility.
Disease feature
The scrotum is an organ under the skin of which the testicles are located, as well as the vessels supplying them with blood. Varicocele is a venous pathology that doctors compare with varicose veins in the legs. The disease can provoke a violation of sperm production and a significant deterioration in its quality. As a result of this, infertility may develop.
A similar pathology can provoke compression of the testicle. Varicocele is found in 15% of men. Cases of morbidity are often recorded during active puberty. Most often, the left side is affected.
Bilateral lesion is very rare. Pathology is not always accompanied by complications. However, in some cases, surgery is required. Removal of education is performed in many ways. Sometimes the disease can recur.
Degree of flow
Depending on the causes of the disease, the disease can be primary and secondary. The degrees of varicocele vary in the symptoms and severity of the disease. With a zero degree, visual manifestations are not detected, and it is also impossible to determine the presence of pathology during palpation. It can only be detected during additional diagnostics.
At the first degree, in the supine position, the veins are not visible and are not palpable, however, they can be noticeable if the man is standing, and a violation can be detected by palpation.
Varicocele 2 degrees is characterized by the fact that varicose veins are clearly visible and palpable in any position. The size of the testicle does not change in any way, but the pathological process spreads to adjacent veins.
With grade 3 varicocele, pronounced varicose veins are observed, regardless of the position of the man's body. In this case, the entire lower part of the testicle is affected, which becomes softer to the touch, decreases in volume and size, which indicates its atrophy.
Main reasons
Before conducting the diagnosis of varicocele, you must know exactly what causes the onset of this disease and how it manifests itself. The disease has many different developmental mechanisms, which explains the complexity of its treatment and the frequent occurrence of relapses. Among the main provoking factors, it is necessary to highlight such as:
- change in compression of the renal vein;
- congenital absence or insufficiency of testicular vein valves;
- violation of the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels;
- features of intrauterine development.
When the renal vein is squeezed, there is a reverse outflow of blood through the vessels, which leads to the occurrence of varicose ovarian veins. That is why left-sided lesion often occurs.
The secondary form of the disease is formed during the course of malignant neoplasms of the kidneys and abdominal cavity. The disease can be diagnosed during an examination by a urologist. The nature of its course is specified using additional research methods. After that, a decision is made regarding the need for the operation.
What may be the symptoms
When diagnosing varicocele, you need to take into account the existing symptoms and the degree of the disease. With the course of the first degree of pathology, no special signs are observed. The disease is often detected by chance during a routine examination of the patient.
With varicocele 2 degrees, expanded veins become visually visible, which descend like a bunch of grapes at the bottom of the testicle. During the inspection, a certain asymmetry is detected. On the affected side, the testicle descends, respectively, one half of the scrotum sags somewhat. A person may be disturbed by varicocele pain after urination, when walking. Also, the patient complains of deterioration in sexual function.
At 3 degrees, varicocele veins greatly expand and condense. In addition, there are constant pains, an increase in the size of the scrotum, as the veins sink very strongly. This stage is almost always accompanied by a violation of spermatogenesis. This provokes a deterioration in the quality of sperm production. Therefore, the consequence of the disease will be testicular atrophy and infertility.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of varicocele often does not cause any difficulties. Often, just a visual examination and palpation of the scrotum is enough. In this case, the patient is in a standing position and lying down.
Additionally, the doctor can make a test of Valsalva. This is a study of veins during straining, as a result of which there is an increase in intra-abdominal pressure and the filling of the testicles with blood is enhanced. If during all these research methods the doctor cannot determine the cause of varicose veins, then additional diagnosis of varicocele in men is required.
To determine the stage of development of the disease, radiography is prescribed. Also, ultrasound diagnosis of varicocele is required. In this case, dopplerography of the scrotum is performed, which is done standing and lying. When conducting ultrasound diagnosis of varicocele in children, it is possible to determine the peculiarity of the development of the vessels of the seminal canal.
It is possible to identify pathology by conducting thermography using a special device - a thermal imager. In this case, you can determine the cause of varicose veins. Not only ultrasound diagnostics of varicocele, but also ultrasound of the kidneys, as well as retroperitoneal organs may be required.
Sexually mature men must be prescribed a spermatogram. According to its results, sperm activity is evaluated, and the presence of inferior male cells is determined.
Treatment features
Treatment is prescribed only after the diagnosis of varicocele, as this allows you to determine the nature and extent of the disease. At the initial stage, no special therapy is required. During this period, you must strictly follow the regimen prescribed by the doctor. This will prevent the subsequent development of pathology.
To reduce congestive manifestations in the pelvic organs, you need to reduce stress, wear comfortable compression garments, and also get rid of constipation. If varicocele is suspected in children and adolescents, it is necessary to take venotonic drugs that will help normalize the general venous blood flow. However, it is worth remembering that only therapeutic methods do not guarantee a complete cure.
They only help to eliminate unpleasant symptoms. To reduce pain, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, and wearing comfortable and soft underwear is also recommended. However, in any case, an operation will be required.
Folk techniques
After the diagnosis, treatment of varicocele should be started immediately. It implies an integrated approach, as this will achieve much better results. Popular methods are widely used in combination with taking medications and surgery. It is worth noting that in the case of male infertility, alternative medicine cannot replace the operation. Only this will normalize sexual functions.
Healing herbs can only increase the effectiveness of therapy. It is worth remembering that before using any means of alternative therapy, you should definitely consult a urologist. Herbal remedies only help improve the tone and general condition of the vascular network. When taking decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs, a positive effect on the venous walls occurs, contributing to their strengthening, increasing elasticity and activating the general blood flow.
To prepare the drug collection, you need to mix in equal proportions the crushed leaves of strawberries, birch, dandelion roots, oats straw and clover. Then brew 1 tbsp. l the resulting mixture of 0.7 l of boiling water and leave to infuse under the lid for 30 minutes. Then filter and take 50 ml in 15 minutes. before eating food. The therapeutic course is 21 days. If necessary, repeat the therapy.
A good remedy is horse chestnut. For the treatment, compresses are applied from the leaves to the scrotum. Need 2 tbsp. l chop dry horse chestnut leaves, pour 1/3 tbsp. boiling water, leave to infuse. Then wrap the cooled mass in several layers of gauze and apply on the scrotum for 2.5 hours. The therapeutic course lasts 3 weeks.
The tincture of horse chestnut flowers is also useful. To do this, grind some fresh flowers of the plant, completely fill the bottle with them, pour vodka on top, tightly clog and leave to infuse in a dark place for about 20 days, constantly shaking. You need to take the finished product 5 ml before consuming food.
Applesauce helps to thin and purify the blood. You need to take it in the morning on an empty stomach and before bedtime, 50 ml. To give greater taste and useful qualities, you can add a little natural honey to the prepared product.
St. John's wort oil will help to improve the condition of the veins. To do this, thoroughly grind a fresh or dried plant, pour it into a bottle, pour it with any vegetable oil in a ratio of 1:10 and heat it in a steam bath for at least 3 hours. Then leave the mixture for 8 hours, so that it is insisted, filter. Lubricate the protruding veins with the obtained product several times a day.
Operation
Varicocele is treated only by surgery. Its main task is to isolate the affected veins and redirect the blood to healthy ones. Conservative methods that would help completely get rid of the disease do not exist. The operation is prescribed according to indications and after ultrasound diagnostics of varicocele. Among the main indications, it is necessary to highlight:
- severe soreness in the groin and scrotum;
- decrease in testicle size during puberty;
- the presence of venous plexuses;
- deterioration of existing spermogram indicators;
- infertility.
There are several different treatments for varicocele, in particular, such as:
- classical operation according to Ivanisevich;
- microsurgical revascularization;
- endoscopic intervention;
- Marmara operation.
When conducting an open operation according to Ivanisevich, the surgeon performs a small incision in the iliac region and only after that bandages the veins that go to the testicle. Such an operation requires the use of serious anesthesia and a long recovery period.
Endoscopic intervention implies that the doctor performs a puncture in the navel and inserts a mini-camera into the resulting incision. The other 2 punctures introduce mini-scissors and clamps. With their help, an operation is performed. Such an operation varicocele reviews has the most positive, since it practically does not provoke complications. Of the minuses, you need to highlight only the presence of 3 skin punctures.
During microsurgical revascularization of the testicle, the varicose vein is completely replaced by a healthy one, which leads to an improvement in blood flow. The operation is performed using a special microscope.
Operation of varicocele Marmara has earned good reviews. Its essence is that the doctor makes a miniature incision about 1 cm long right at the base of the penis. To find the right vein, the urologist needs one small incision. With the help of a small microscope, the doctor can normally bandage the veins, while maintaining the integrity of the nerve endings, arteries and lymph nodes.
Consequences of the disease
If treatment is not timely, then the consequences of the course of the disease in men can be very serious. In addition to the discomfort of walking and intercourse, they include an irreversible change in the affected tissues of the organ, which leads to infertility. If the operation has not been scheduled, annual supervision by a urologist is required. This will help to timely detect the progression of varicose veins and spermogram deterioration.
After the operation on the ligation of blood vessels, such consequences as:
- redness, pain, and swelling;
- testicular atrophy;
- accumulation of lymphatic fluid;
- drawing pains.
It is worth noting that timely microsurgical operations practically do not provoke complications. Health recovery after them occurs very quickly and almost does not cause a relapse.
Forecast
In men, varicocele is completely cured by surgery. The prognosis for therapy is the best even in advanced cases. The irreversible process can begin only with the onset of testicular atrophy.
That is why, when the very first signs of a disease occur, you should definitely contact a urologist or surgeon. Timely surgery techniques can completely get rid of varicose veins without complications. After the intervention, the functioning of the testicles and the reproductive function of the man will be restored in full.
Prophylaxis
The treatment and prevention of varicocele is very important, since this allows you to normalize sexual function in men. Preventive measures should be carried out throughout life, regardless of the age of the man. It should be noted that existing congenital pathologies or abnormalities in the development of the venous network cannot be prevented. However, there is a set of general measures that will help reduce the likelihood of progression of the pathology and the formation of varicocele.
It is very important to conduct a periodic preventive examination by a urologist of all men aged 19-20 years to exclude the formation of congenital varicose veins. This is due to the end of puberty and the formation of genital organs by this period, so it is much easier to find varicocele in them than in children and adolescents. In addition, it is necessary to prevent the existing disease so as not to provoke complications and prevent relapses. Prevention measures include:
- physical activity control;
- treatment of constipation;
- diet for weight loss.
During the day you need to try to move as much as possible, as this will normalize the blood microcirculation and prevent stagnation. In addition, regular sexual activity is required, to abandon the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
A sexually mature man should abandon the use of exciting ointments and creams, which are used to stimulate orgasm. Their frequent use leads to stagnation of venous blood and the formation of varicose veins.
Men who are at risk should always keep their feet warm, avoiding hypothermia.