Symptoms
- Dragging ache in the scrotum, worse on standing
- A bag-of-worms feel above the testis
- Smaller testis on the affected side
- Difficulty conceiving
Causes and risk factors
- Faulty valves in the testicular veins
- Higher venous pressure on the left side
Diagnosis
- Clinical examination standing and lying
- Scrotal colour Doppler ultrasound with grading
- Semen analysis where fertility is a concern
Treatment
- Observation for small asymptomatic varicoceles
- Scrotal support and analgesia for pain
- Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy
- Laparoscopic varicocele ligation
- Embolisation in selected cases
Prevention
- Cannot be prevented, but early assessment protects fertility
- Adolescents with a visible varicocele should be reviewed
Recovery
Microsurgery is day-care; most men return to desk work in three to five days. Semen parameters are reassessed at three months.
Information on this website is for patient education only and does not replace an in-person consultation. Treatment results vary between individuals and no outcome is guaranteed.