What is the danger of varicocele in men?

Varicocele sounds quite unusual, but this pathology is quite common among men and is a varicose vein located in the spermatic cord and in the testes. Such an ailment has a lot of not entirely pleasant symptoms, which can be followed by a violation of the spermatogenesis process and reproductive health problems that flow into early infertility. In this article we will learn how dangerous varicocele is, how this pathology manifests itself, and what is the opinion of specialists regarding treatment.

Disease characteristics

Among a great many diseases of a urological nature, a varicocele is manifested in one of ten men who went to the doctor with complaints of swelling, soreness and swelling in the inguinal region.

The name of the disease is Latin, which literally means "bloating, swelling."

A few facts about varicocele:

1. It is a pathology, as a result of which there is a change in the veins of the testis and spermatic cord.
2. The most common lesions are the internal spermatic vein and the left testicular vein.
3. 67% of all manifestations of venous varicose veins are found on the left side of the body.
4. Vasodilation, unfortunately, is an irreversible and persistent phenomenon.
5. As a result of the thinning of the walls of the vessels, deformation of the veins occurs, knotty appears.
6. Blood flows through deformed vessels less and more slowly.
7. As a result, blood stasis forms in the vessels of the testis and spermatic cord.
8. There is inflammation of the surrounding tissues and their subsequent edema.
9. As the swelling intensifies, pain, feelings of heaviness and discomfort appear, which with every movement bother the man.
10. What is the danger of varicocele? If the disease progresses, then a violation of the spermatogenesis process is possible, which, in turn, is the cause of early male infertility.

Development reasons

At the moment, doctors distinguish three main reasons why men have varicocele:

1. Increased pressure in the renal veins.
2. Testicular vein defect. May be valvular or anatomical.
3. The combination of both pathologies.
   

Sometimes pathology can occur as a result of constant physical exertion and overwork, which are the cause of increased intra-abdominal pressure or compression of the renal vessels.

What is the danger of varicocele? This question interests many. Let's figure it out.

Pathology process

1. Anatomically, the inguinal ring is connected to the testicle by the spermatic cord.
2. It is important that inside the inguinal ring is located not only the deferent duct, but also the vessels: venous, lymphatic, arterial.
3. In the vein there are specific valves through which the regulation of blood outflow occurs.
4. Varicose enlargement affects the cluster-like plexus located in the cord.
5. There is an expansion of the seminal vein, a thinning of its walls, nodularity appears.
6. There is a violation of the outflow of blood from the vessels of the testicles.
7. If there is an anatomical defect on the left side, then the outflow of blood is difficult on the left.
8. As a result of impaired lymph flow and blood flow, inflammation or a complete rupture of veins may occur, followed by hemorrhage into the scrotum.
9. Progressive varicocele can cause infertility in men.

Causes of impaired blood flow

• It is considered normal when in a standing position the blood flow through the veins has a direction from the renal veins down to the plexiform plexus.
• In the supine position, blood flow through the veins should have a direction from the veins of the testicles to the renal veins.
• In the case of expansion and deformation of venous vessels, the progression of varicocele begins.
• If there is a chronic increased pressure in the vessels of the kidneys, then the discharge of blood occurs along the collaterals. One of these vessels is the testicular vein.
• Causes of renal hypertension can be vascular thrombosis and a defect in anatomical origin.
• A hemodynamic disorder can occur in the case of a pronounced discharge of blood from an abnormal testicular into the renal vein.
• A constant change in the outflow of blood through the veins can occur as a result of a birth defect or a defect resulting from an injury.

As a result, there is a constant stagnation of blood in the vessels of the scrotum. The result is an increase in venous pressure in the testicular vessels up to 3-4 times. In this case, with varicocele, surgery on the testicle is simply necessary.

Stages of Varicocele

The symptoms of pathology are affected by many factors. Modern medical specialists prefer to use a four-stage classification, according to which doctors can draw up an effective treatment plan and predict recovery. So, there are four stages of varicocele:

• First stage. At this stage, varicose veins of the testicular and spermatic veins are observed. However, its determination is possible only with the help of Dopplerography.
• Second stage. Varicose deformity can be determined by palpation in a standing position. Is operation dangerous with varicocele? About it further.
• Third stage. Identification of varicose changes is possible not only in a standing position, but also in a prone position.
• Fourth stage. Nodularity and deformation of the veins can be determined by examining the genitals.

A similar pathology can be detected at absolutely any age. In adolescents and young men, varicocele occurs most often during puberty. In older men and older people, the disease can be a consequence of existing renal hypertension in the primary stages or a congenital vascular defect, previous injuries. That is why it is important to take into account the history and existing diseases in the diagnosis of varicocele (photo can be seen in the article).

Classification of varicocele

To date, more than one classification is used. Each of them takes into account the exact reasons why the disease arose, as well as the individual characteristics of each of the forms by which the disease occurs. Specialists in the field of urology and nephrology in their practice distinguish more than five scales.

Classification by side of defeat. One form is left-sided varicocele. In this case, the left testicular vein is affected. Right-sided varicocele occurs in approximately 50% of cases, while the right testicular vein is affected. The rarest form is bilateral varicocele. It occurs only in 5-6% of patients.

Classification by type of blood discharge. The first type is varicocele, in which there is a discharge of blood from the renal veins into the testicular veins. The second type is pathology, in which the discharge of blood comes from the iliac vein. The third type includes varicocele with combined discharge of blood from the renal veins and from the iliac veins.

Classification by etymology of occurrence. Urologists distinguish between primary and secondary varicocele in men. In the first case, the disease has an inborn nature of origin, may be the result of genetic and anatomical abnormalities in the renal vessels, in their valves, in the spermatic vein. In the second case, it is a consequence of thrombosis, injuries, neoplasms in the pelvis and in the abdominal cavity, compressing the vessels of the spermatic cord from the outside.

Symptoms may be mild or severe. It all depends on what stage the disease is at.

Symptoms of the first stage

• Rare pain that occurs in the inguinal region after sports exertion or physical overwork.
• In addition, the disease can be diagnosed by a urologist or surgeon during a mandatory physical examination.

What is the danger of varicocele testis of the second stage?

Symptoms of the second stage

• Periodic discomfort in the inguinal region, arising after making sudden movements.
• Uncomfortable sensations arising after lifting heavy objects, running or intense and prolonged walking.
• Unpleasant sensations appear as pulling and unpleasant pains of a aching nature, like tingling. Patients note that the pains are not pronounced, but are prolonged.
• Some patients note a slight sagging testicle, impaired sexual function.
• With the progression of varicocele in men (which is dangerous, we will consider below), the appearance of a pronounced asymmetry of the scrotum is possible.

Symptoms of the third stage:

• A pronounced dependence of the appearance of pain on the spermatic cord from physical exertion.
• The manifestation of pain mainly on one side.
• The appearance of a pulsating and bursting pain in the scrotum after a change in body position.
• The occurrence of pain at rest, at night.
• Sexual dysfunction - examination allows you to visually identify a noticeable asymmetry of the scrotum.
• The appearance of nodular dilated veins under the skin, pain when feeling.

Is varicocele dangerous?

Pathology as such is not dangerous, but the complications that may arise pose a significant threat to the health and life of a man, and at any age. Untimely appeal to a specialist or a complete refusal of qualified assistance can lead to infertility that occurs when the following factors are present:

1. Prolonged testicular ischemia as a result of insufficient blood circulation.
2. An increase in the temperature of the testicles, which entails a violation of the spermatogenesis process.
3. In order for the sperm to mature healthy, a temperature of 33 degrees is required.
4. As a result of inflammation, the temperature rises to the level of body temperature. As a result, sperm become inactive, their size and shape change.
5. As a result of abnormal blood discharge, biologically active substances inhibit spermatogenesis.
6. As a result of complications - postoperative lymphostasis or dropsy of the testicle.

Methods for treating varicocele

One, but not the only treatment, is varicocelectomy. Is the operation dangerous?

Varicocele can be detected at the first stage, then the only thing required is to change your lifestyle and limit physical activity.

To normalize intra-abdominal pressure, it is worthwhile to periodically prevent constipation. Doctors categorically forbid lifting heavy objects, abruptly moving, running.

In order to treat varicocele, surgery is performed only in the second and third stages of the disease. The following surgical procedures may be performed:

• Embolization of a vein, its clipping or dressing.
• Plastic and raising a sagging testicle.
• Surgical removal of varicocele.

Veins affected by the disease can be excised or embolized. Three accesses are possible:

1. Subingual access.
2. Invaginal access.
3. Retroperineal.

Modern urology uses laparoscopic surgery. They do not involve a large incision, and the affected segment can be removed by means of small probes. These operations belong to the field of microsurgery. After the intervention, tiny scars may remain, healing within a week after the operation. After laparoscopy, the patient can return to his previous lifestyle within ten days. Doctors will require only restrictions on physical activity. This is confirmed by varicocele reviews.

Varicocele Prevention

Measures to prevent varicocele are all simple. Several rules should be followed, and this will reduce the risk of the disease:

1. It is necessary to consciously approach physical activity and not to forget about relaxation.
2. You need to live a regular sex life.
3. It will not be superfluous to limit the use of alcohol.
4. You need to eat quality and balanced. First of all, this will help prevent constipation.
5. You should fully relax and sleep.
6. It is important to take vitamins in the offseason.
7. Timely medical examination, especially if alarming symptoms appear.

Reviews

Surgical intervention to treat pathology causes a lot of positive reviews. Laparoscopy is especially effective. There are practically no scars, no complications either.

Risk group

Varicocele is most often found in men who are professional athletes, do weightlifting, boxing, work physically for more than four hours a day, have acquired or congenital pathology, and suffer from thromboembolism or renal vein thrombosis.

We examined the danger of varicocele.