Varicocele, or, as this disease is also called, varicose veins of the testicles, occurs in men at almost any age. Unfortunately, it is quite common in men, and in itself is the cause of unpleasant and serious complications.
The main reasons that include testicular varicose veins include two points.
1. Natural anomaly of the walls of blood vessels, depression of the venous system. Varicose veins are formed in this case due to a hereditary predisposition to a disease of this nature. The patient's medical history must include one of his relatives who was previously diagnosed with varicose veins of the left or right testicle. In addition, there is a history of varicose veins in the legs, arms, and problems with the heart valve. In other words, all diseases that are directly related to problems with connective tissues. Moreover, it is not uncommon for one disease to result from or be a consequence of another.
2. Increased blood pressure in the vascular system of the pelvis or scrotum. By and large, it is high blood pressure that predisposes to the disease, and is not the direct cause of testicular varicose veins in men
The vein in the testicular area can bend, be pressed by adjacent joints, and be located in the folds of connective tissue. All this leads to vasoconstriction and the formation of varicose veins in the testicles. Interestingly, varicose veins of the left testicle are more common in diagnosis than the right one.
Now let's look at blood flow. Blood rises through the vessels from the testicles to the heart. The process occurs from the bottom up, contrary to the law of universal gravitation. With a healthy body, everything goes fine, but when a disease occurs, the overall blood flow slows down and the testicle stops receiving the required amount of blood. As soon as the blood flow slows down and becomes less than the required level, the tissues of the scrotum and testicle begin to experience a lack of oxygen, and as a result, testicular dysfunction begins. And yet, it is known that the temperature of the scrotum is slightly lower than the temperature of a person, and with varicose veins, the temperature of the testicle rises, which suppresses the work of the seminal glands and the testicle as a whole.
The stages of development of testicular varicose veins can be divided into 4 periods.
• In the first period, blood vessels are no longer palpable, and an ultrasound machine allows the disease to be determined.
• During palpation, the veins are felt if the patient is in an upright position.
• Varicose veins are palpable in both body positions
• In the last period of the disease, varicose veins are already visible to the naked eye.
Note that for testicular varicose veins, treatment, just like for leg varicose veins, requires surgical intervention. On the other hand, testicular varicose veins discovered in a man may not require treatment in itself. Contradictory statement, however, it is worth knowing that surgery is needed for:
Varicose veins are a venous disease that can occur in any part of the human body. It is quite rare to encounter such a disease as varicocele - varicose veins on the testicles.
This disease is defined as tumors of the venous nodes. But there is no need to worry prematurely, because the disease itself is not dangerous and if treatment is started in time, medicine will help overcome it quickly enough.
This is what problem veins look like
This disease manifests itself in men most often during adolescence, when the male reproductive system is reconstructed, a hormonal surge occurs and the body undergoes important changes.
Often this disease appears in men who are infertile. According to statistics, problems with venous insufficiency affect 40% of infertile men.
By the way, I would like to note the fact that in men who have secondary infertility, varicocele is found in 80% of cases.
Often this disease occurs due to the fact that the pressure in the veins increases. Because of this, the veins expand and provoke the appearance of a certain plexus around the testicle, which can form simply due to the special anatomy of the male appendages. By the way, the problem often occurs on the left side due to the structure of the left testicular vein.
Also, the disease can occur due to constant physical activity, and this factor applies to both men and boys, regardless of their age.
Sometimes varicocele can be triggered by the appearance of various diseases associated with increased intra-abdominal pressure, renal pressure or thrombosis.
There is no need to worry that varicocele will have an advanced form, the whole point is that the symptoms of the disease are open and if you consult a urologist in a timely manner, he will determine both the dilation of the veins and its stage itself.
If you feel pain in the testicles, either in one or both, since varicocele can be bilateral, you should immediately consult a specialist.
Often the pain is not sharp, but pulling and aching. You can feel pain either in a vertical position, or during heavy physical exertion, when blood presses on the walls of the veins.
But sometimes symptoms may not manifest themselves, although this occurs in only 20% of patients and only if the disease resolves during puberty.
When a boy’s reproductive system is reconstructed, the veins can expand faster than the appendages themselves and thereby create some inconvenience. That is why teenage boys need to undergo a urological examination every 6 months.
If you have been diagnosed and it turns out that it is varicose veins on the testicles, the main thing is not to panic and not to read unnecessary articles about infertility or the possibility of potency.
A timely visit to a doctor helps to find the right therapy and get rid of the disease as soon as possible.
Of course, it is impossible to deny that a disease can cause infertility under any circumstances, but it must be remembered that such consequences arise only if treatment is fully started.
The thing is that when the veins expand and grow, so to speak, along the entire perimeter of the testicle, they begin to warm it, and therefore the scrotum ceases to be at its natural temperature.
As you know, if the temperature rises, sperm simply begin to die, only because they cannot exist at elevated temperatures.
Subclinical varicocele is a disease when there is still no clinical evidence of varicose veins, and the primary symptoms are visible only with the help of an ultrasound machine.
1st degree - the veins in the scrotum are not yet very dilated, they are practically invisible and cannot be palpated.
2nd degree - venous expansion on the scrotum is not yet noticeable, but it can be found with proper palpation.
3rd degree - the disease is not only easily palpated, but also clearly visible to the naked eye.
If you believe the statistics, disease of the left-sided testicle occurs in 15% of men, but disease of the right-sided testicle occurs in only 2% of cases.
This is caused by the structural features of the reproductive system. Also, in rare cases, a bilateral disease can occur; this happens in 5% of cases and often affects men aged 30-40 years, especially if they work in jobs where there is high physical stress.
Many people are interested in the question of how to properly treat varicocele. In fact, everything is much simpler than it might seem at first glance. All that needs to be done is to return the veins to their natural position, thus freeing the testicles.
After this, a natural temperature will again form in the scrotum and natural oxygen exchange will occur. You need to know that testicular varicose veins in men can be treated in different ways, depending on the exact stage of the disease.
If the disease is in the first stage, the man will be advised to wear a special bandage, as well as special underwear that will help fix the location of the veins.
In addition, it is constantly necessary to undergo research, which will determine whether the disease is developing. Many men live happily ever after with such bandages, without feeling disadvantaged at all.
This disease does not require any other medical treatment. If dynamic monitoring does not help, then surgical intervention is necessary.
If surgery is necessary in early, that is, adolescence, relapses occur quite often in the future. If the operation is performed at an older age, relapses are extremely rare.
Surgical treatment of varicocele
At the moment, medicine determines 4 methods of performing an operation, depending on the stage of the disease, anatomical features, as well as specialist advice.
An open operation is a full-fledged operation that is performed under general anesthesia, where, with a full incision, the vein that causes the disease is removed.
Microsurgery is an operation that is performed using a special surgical microscope. Using a small incision, a vein transplant is performed and thus the disease is eliminated.
Endoscopic surgery is a relatively new operation that uses a special laparoscope.
Using a special puncture, special tubes are inserted, which display all the necessary information on the monitor. This operation has special advantages, because it is practically non-traumatic and the recovery period after it is minimal.
This operation is practically not used in practice, since it is not universal, requires a high level of training and is not very practical.
An operation takes place under X-ray control, when a certain substance is injected into the vein, which clogs it and the vein does not expand in the future.
Varicocele is a disease that is a type of varicose veins.
Unlike the usual enlargement that occurs on the calves, varicocele affects the male reproductive system.
The veins that form the pampiniform plexus of the testicle dilate.
It occurs most often in adolescents, but can also occur in older men.
To varying degrees, the disease affects up to 15% of all men. 80% of cases of male infertility are associated with varicocele.
Several methods have been developed to classify varicocele. In Russia, the classification according to N. Lopatkin is often used. This method was developed in 1978, and is quite simple, and therefore understandable not only to specialists in the field of medicine, but also to patients.
Lopatkin’s classification of varicocele is based on the severity of the disease:
In children and adolescents, a classification different from “adult” is used.
This classification was proposed by Yu. Isakov and his colleagues: degrees I and II - determined in the same way as in adults.
In 1980, the classification of B. Coolsaet was developed. It was based on the study of blood movement in the testicles. Here the classification is not related to the degree of development of the disease, but to the vessels in which blood circulation is impaired:
The World Health Organization uses its classification:
Next, we will talk about the types of varicocele and what the consequences of this or that manifestation of the disease are.
Although the human body has bilateral symmetry, left- and right-sided varicoceles are not equally common. For example, according to some studies, left-sided varicocele occurs in 98% of cases. Other data suggest that the prevalence of the left-sided form of the disease is about 80% of cases.
The causes of varicocele can be congenital defects of the valves of the veins, and in this case, both testicles will most likely be affected, and the disease will begin in adolescence, when the blood flow becomes as strong as possible due to the boy’s puberty.
The unevenness of damage to the left and right testicles is usually associated with uneven loads on the left and right halves of the body.
As a result of the load, the blood pressure in the veins that drain blood from the gonads changes, and reflux occurs.
That is, the blood begins to move in the opposite direction, the valves and walls of the vessels cannot withstand it, and varicose veins begin.
Infertility is most likely when both testicles are affected.
How to determine the degree of varicocele? It is most convenient to classify the disease according to N. Lopatkin, distinguishing three degrees (see above).
Like any other disease, varicocele passes through these degrees sequentially. First, as a result of a congenital defect or excessive stress, the valves weaken, causing reverse blood flow (reflux).
This is how the first stage arises. At this stage, manifestations of the disease (changes in the diameter of the veins) can only be felt during palpation.
But weakening of the walls of the vessel causes an increase in its volume, and therefore in the mass of blood inside. This sets off a chain reaction where the more blood there is, the more the walls of the vein stretch, and the more they stretch, the more blood there is. The vein loses its shape and enlarges, the second stage begins.
Eventually the vein swells so much that the entire testicle changes size and structure. This is how the third stage develops.
Symptoms of varicocele of the scrotum are as follows:
You can learn more about the symptoms of the disease and see photos here.
The rate at which varicoceles develop varies greatly depending on age. It is maximum in adolescence, when the disease can “skip” through all stages in a few months. In adults, blood flow in the reproductive system is less intense, which is why the disease develops slowly over the course of years.
It may also happen that the development of the disease will be accelerated by heavy physical activity. Therefore, it is advisable for people who have this disease in the initial stages not to lift weights, not to engage in martial arts, stretching, etc.
Below are photos of the stages of varicocele:
Thus, varicocele is a disease of the circulatory and reproductive system of men, the symptom of which is varicose veins of one or two testicles.
There are many classification systems for the disease, most of which distinguish 3 stages: in the first, the enlarged vein is not visible, but can be felt, in the second, it is visible upon examination, in the third, the testicle decreases in size and changes consistency, and the scrotum, on the contrary, increases due to the bloated veins.
The disease most often develops in adolescents, when the speed of its development can be maximum.
Varicocele is a fairly common exclusively male disease that can lead to infertility. On the one hand, this disease is completely harmless and it is not at all necessary to treat it, since it does not threaten life, but on the other hand, this very disease can deprive a man of the joy of becoming a father. In order for problems to remain aside, every young person needs to know what a varicocele looks like in a photo and how you can detect this pathology in yourself.
Getting to know the disease must begin with an analysis of the etymology of its name. The word “varicocele” came into our language from Greek. It has two roots: “varix” means dilated vein and “kele” means neoplasm. This interpretation partially reveals the essence of the disease. It also has another name - testicular varicose veins, which implies varicose dilation of the network of venous testicular vessels (puniciform plexus), which drain blood from the testicle and spermatic cord. Several veins extend from the testicle, which form the pampiniform (pampiniform) plexus. At the exit they merge into one testicular vein. The left vein flows into the renal vein, forming a straight angle, and the right one is sharp, so testicular varicose veins often develop on the left side, as in the photo and video.
If the reverse outflow of blood is disrupted, an increase in venous pressure occurs, as a result of which the temperature in the scrotum changes slightly. This leads to overheating of the male glands and decreased sperm fertility. They become practically lifeless and cannot participate in conception.
According to statistics, varicose veins on the eggs are a very common disease (about 15 - 18% of men have this ailment). It occurs in men of all ages, but is considered most dangerous and common in adolescents. Most often, testicular varicocele is discovered in adolescence from 12 to 14 years, when young men are examined by a urologist during the draft board.
It is not difficult to identify a varicocele in a photo. Looking carefully at the picture, it is easy to notice that one side of the scrotum (usually the left) sags a little. Veins are visible through the skin. Just as a woman must take care of her breasts, men should know how to identify the disease in themselves. To do this, just feel the veins on the testicles with your fingers. If they are palpable but not yet visible, this is the very beginning of the disease, and if the veins are already clearly visible, as in the photo, with the naked eye, this is the last stage of the development of varicocele disease, which will have to be treated. This disease is often confused with an epididymal cyst, so do not rush into a diagnosis: only a doctor can make it.
The history of varicocele disease dates back to the 16th century. Already at this time, Ambraoise Pare, considered an outstanding surgeon of the Renaissance, identified the pathology of the vessels entwining the testicles, although some medical historians argue that the first mention of this ailment was made by Celsius in antiquity, describing the strange condition of the testicle when swollen veins appear above it. Then it would not be amiss to recall that Hippocrates, the aesculapian of ancient Greece, spoke about a disease in men when thick black bile blood accumulates in the genital area.
In the 17th century, the term “sarcoceles” appeared, which was used to describe enlarged veins in the scrotum. The 19th century brought a new name for the disease “varicocele”, but it referred only to the dilation of the veins of the scrotum, and the word “sarcoceles” remained for the pathology of the spermatic cord. It was only in the second half of the 19th century that both of these diseases began to be called by the same term “varicocele”.
Around the same time, in the 19th century, the British surgeon Barfield addressed this urological problem, who associated the named disease with male infertility. The same idea was proven in the 20th century, when active study of the problem and the search for treatment methods began. At the same time, evidence is emerging that you can get rid of infertility if you treat varicocele.
The disease is still being studied today. The problem remains relevant, since the disease affects the demographic situation. This is another reason for not only doctors, but also people outside medicine to know what a varicocele is and what it looks like (see photos, videos).
It is not always that a man, much less a teenage boy, can identify the symptoms of varicocele. This is due to the fact that the disease is often secretive and asymptomatic. This course is especially typical at the very beginning of the disease, when it can be detected not by symptoms, but only by ultrasound or Doppler ultrasound during a special examination.
And yet, in some cases, signs of varicocele can be seen even with the naked eye. Attention should be paid to the scrotum. With the development of this disease, a slight prolapse of the scrotum on the left is observed. Looking at pictures and photos of varicocele in men, it will be possible to note that veins are visible through the skin. Unpleasant sensations in the groin area and scrotum may also indicate the development of the disease. It is imperative to see a urologist or andrologist if you have the following signs of illness:
Varicocele is the male “plague of the 21st century.” 57% of men lose one or 2 testicles and become infertile and impotent.
The main symptom of varicocele, even in the absence of pain, is male infertility. It is by identifying its causes that the disease is determined in most patients.
Not all men develop the disease. It affects those who have valves in the veins that surround the spermatic cord that prevent the reverse flow of blood from functioning properly. As a result, venous blood, which should rise upward, is transmitted in the opposite direction. It stagnates, and the vessels gradually expand and weaken, which leads to disruptions in the functioning of a number of organs. We can identify the main causes of varicocele and the risk factors that lead to the appearance of this delicate disease. Doctors divide them into two groups: primary and secondary reflux.
Primary reflux is characteristic of those who have anatomical pathologies in the structure of the veins. Valves in the veins may be absent or deformed at birth. With age, the disease will manifest itself. This most likely occurs during puberty, when blood flow becomes particularly strong. From birth, the walls of blood vessels may also be diseased. This is due to a genetic predisposition, so if the father had varicocele of the scrotum, it is almost always passed on to the boy.
The causes of varicocele may be associated with the acquisition of valvular insufficiency (secondary reflux). The cause of the disease may be increased pressure in the renal or vena cava. This condition is observed when the lumen in the renal vein narrows, with a peculiar arrangement of the left vein, or in the presence of an arteriovenous fistula. In most cases, the disease develops on the left side, since here the spermatic vein connects with the renal vein, forming an angle of 90°. Only 20% of patients have varicose veins of the spermatic cord on the right, and in 2% of patients there is a bilateral development of the disease.
Secondary causes of varicocele include concomitant diseases. Sometimes varicose veins of the testicles develop in the presence of hemorrhoids and varicose veins of the legs. There are several other factors that can provoke the disease:
Every man should know how to identify varicocele and which doctor to contact if he suspects this disease. Since many not only know nothing about this ailment, but are also embarrassed by any problems associated with the intimate area, it’s time to call a doctor who not only treats this disease, but also diagnoses it. At the first unpleasant symptoms of the disease, a man should visit a urologist. There is another specialist who treats male ailments. This is an andrologist. However, andrology is a new direction in medicine, so such specialized specialists are not available in every small city. Decide for yourself which specialist to contact, just remember that it is undesirable to delay treatment, so timely diagnosis and examination for varicocele is important.
Any urologist (andrologist) can diagnose varicocele using various diagnostic methods. The simplest method is palpation in a standing and lying position or the Valsalva maneuver. By palpating the scrotum area, the doctor determines the condition of the veins of the spermatic cord. At an early stage of the development of the disease, they are not visually visible, but it is these diagnostic methods that make it possible to identify the disease at an early stage and stop its development.
A more modern and accurate diagnostic method is ultrasound and doppelography for varicocele. These methods make it possible to determine the nature of blood flow, testicular size, formation of nodes, and thickening of the spermatic cord. Such an examination must be carried out in two positions: standing and lying down. After this, the results are compared and a diagnosis is made. Doppelography allows you to determine the type of varicocele and the diseased vein that drains blood into the pampiniform plexus of the testicle.
Sometimes the doctor prescribes a laboratory test of sperm - a spermogram. This research method allows you to assess the condition of sperm. Semen analysis allows you to identify the volume of ejaculate, the number of sperm in 1 ml of seminal fluid, the percentage of active, sedentary, dead and inactive sperm.
There is a generally accepted classification of varicocele, on the basis of which a clinical assessment of the disease is carried out. Various sources distinguish 3 or 4 degrees of the disease. In addition, types of varicocele are distinguished separately, both according to the location of the disease and other characteristics.
Let's consider how to determine the degree of varicocele in a patient. The first classification of male varicocele disease was proposed by Dr. WHBenett in 1889. He proposed to define three degrees of the disease depending on the intensity of changes in the veins of the spermatic cord. Later this theory was improved. Most domestic and foreign doctors have left three degrees of varicocele (1, 2, 3, degree). However, some Western and American urologists offer their own classification of the disease, which distinguishes 4 degrees (subclinical varicocele, when there are no pronounced manifestations of the disease, and the diagnosis can only be made by ultrasound, and degrees 1, 2, 3). The result is 4 degrees. WHO defines only three degrees of the disease.
The types of varicocele are determined according to the location of the disease:
According to physical methods of examination, varicocele is:
You should not hope that testicular varicose veins will disappear. The body itself cannot defeat this disease. This is due to the fact that the outflow of blood cannot become normal, since the valves do not work correctly and the vessels have lost their elasticity. Treatment of varicocele in men is carried out mainly surgically, since medication (tablets, ointments) will be ineffective. In rare cases, drug and alternative treatment is offered at the earliest stage of the disease.
Each patient, together with the doctor, decides how to treat varicocele or refuse treatment if the disease is discovered in adulthood and does not affect health in any way. The following indicators are good reasons for surgical treatment:
Today, about 120 methods of surgical treatment of this disease are known (Palomo, Ivanissevich surgery, Marmar method, sclerotherapy, laparoscopic varicocelectomy and others). Depending on the patient’s condition, the equipment of the medical institution, and the doctor’s experience, the treatment method is selected. For some operations, there are restrictions that may prevent the patient from using a certain method. Such restrictions include the patient’s serious condition, poor blood clotting, and the presence of acute diseases. Whatever operation is proposed for testicular varicocele, as a result the doctor will have to ligate the testicular vein in order to change its blood flow and stop the discharge of blood into the pampiniform plexus. Most often, patients prefer to get rid of the disease using laparoscopy methods. The operation is very quick, complications, infections, blood loss and tissue trauma are excluded. You can watch a fragment of a video of varicocele surgery to see what it looks like.
After the operation, fertility is restored. The results of treatment are not immediately visible. Usually, after 8 - 12 months, patients notice an improvement in sperm quality up to 80%.
During the first 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, the patient will have to be careful:
Having told so much about testicular varicose veins, it remains to find out why varicocele is dangerous for a man’s health and his family happiness. The male disease itself is not dangerous, since it does not guarantee death and does not shorten the life of patients. However, varicocele affects the ability to conceive children. Male infertility is the main complication of the disease. Since the testicle is responsible for the reproduction of sperm, this function is reduced due to illness. In rare cases, the disease threatens the development of inflammation or testicular atrophy.
Bogdan Strizhenko: “How did I get rid of varicocele right at home in 1 week? An ordinary one helped me. "
Pain in the left testicle in men is an unpleasant symptom, often appearing after reaching a certain age or as a sign of the development of one of the diseases of the genitourinary system. Sometimes pain also appears after an injury.
In addition to creating general discomfort, pain often leads to decreased libido and loss of “male strength.” Therefore, if you experience discomfort that gets worse when walking or urinating, you should immediately contact a specialist.
Depending on what symptoms, other than pain, are present in the patient, as well as on the nature of the pain, the doctor makes one diagnosis or another.
A slight bruise of the genitals, even caused simply by negligence, can have quite serious consequences. In this case, the consequences do not appear immediately, so the man may not even imagine what exactly caused the appearance of severe pain in the left testicle. Periodically, this pain goes away on its own and does not require treatment. In other cases, the patient is prescribed painkillers. Sometimes an injury causes chronic pain, then the patient must undergo a course of drug treatment at certain intervals. Similar symptoms are most often observed in athletes and weightlifters.
Violation of the reproductive function of the body due to injuries is rare, but tissue rupture can cause sexual dysfunction. Such severe injuries are treated surgically.
With the development of the inflammatory process in the groin area, the pain has a slightly different character. For example, many men begin to notice discomfort after they have had the flu or ARVI. In this case, we are most likely talking about the development of epididymitis - inflammation of the appendage.
Also, epididymitis often develops against the background of prostatitis, urethritis and other inflammatory diseases.
In some cases, the disease develops as a side effect of sterilization (ligation of the vas deferens). Most often, epididymitis quickly becomes chronic. Any active symptoms may be completely absent, as a result of which the man is not even aware of the disease developing in him. However, lack of treatment leads to deterioration in sperm quality and sometimes to infertility.
In acute epididymitis, the patient experiences problems with urination, most often complaining of a severe burning sensation and an increase in body temperature. Sometimes a brownish discharge may also be observed.
To make a diagnosis, the doctor prescribes blood and urine tests, as well as culture collection. In the most severe cases, ultrasound examination, cystoscopy and other more detailed diagnostic methods are necessary. Epididymitis is treated with antibacterial drugs in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapeutic procedures.
Such a common “male” disease as varicocele often causes pain in the left testicle. This is due to the expansion of the veins in the genital area, as well as the lengthening of the vessels located in the spermatic cords.
Most often, varicocele is diagnosed in adolescents and middle-aged men. Clinical symptoms may be almost completely absent, or the patient may experience slight discomfort in the left side of the genital organs. Sometimes a slight tightness is also felt.
Untimely treatment of varicocele leads to infertility and other unpleasant consequences.
Most often, lumps in the testicular area are determined by a man himself. Experts recommend doing regular self-examination of the male reproductive organs, at least once a month. The presence of a dense area on the surface of the testicle can be a symptom of serious diseases of the male genitourinary system.
This symptom may indicate the development of a serious pathology.
An area of compaction on the testicles appears more often in males during the most sexually active period (the period of intense production of male sex hormones) - 15-40 years. A change in the consistency of the testicles may be only the only manifestation of the onset of a serious disease in men. Later, the affected area may become sore.
There is an opinion that self-examination is useless. However, a man who knows by touch the characteristics of his testes can easily determine the presence of pathological changes in them.
It is correct to perform self-examination after intimate hygiene procedures with warm water. The genitals should be bare, the perineum should be completely relaxed. Next, you need to perform the following steps in turn:
More often, pathology is detected in the left testicle.
Normal testicles (testicles) of a man are not hard to the touch, but have a dense consistency. When palpated, you should feel a smooth, even surface of the testicle, without swelling. Elastic cords should be identified in the posterior sections. A man's testicles are often located at different levels (the left testicle is slightly higher).
If, during self-examination, a man does not reveal any lumps, and the tissue is homogeneous, we can talk about the health of the genital organs. It must be remembered that even lumps the size of a pea can be a symptom of a dangerous disease.
One of the factors that provokes the development of testicular hardening in men is a pathology such as a pseudocyst. This disease occurs as a result of traumatic injury or an inflammatory process.
Focal changes in the consistency of the testicles most often occur with neoplasms, including malignant ones.
However, hardening of the testicles may also indicate cancer. This disease is also characterized by the following symptoms:
However, this clinical picture appears only at later stages of development of testicular cancer in men. This is why it is important to identify the lump early in the disease. A tumor of the testicle is called a seminoma.
Testicular hardening also occurs due to the development of an inflammatory process in the testicle and appendages (orchitis, epididymitis). The most common combination of these two pathologies is epididymitis orchioepididymitis.
The development of this condition is influenced by the following reasons:
Orchiepididymitis is also sometimes accompanied by such manifestations as redness of the scrotum, increased body temperature, pain in the scrotum, and swelling of the appendage. If left untreated, all symptoms disappear within 7 days, with the exception of compaction. This does not mean that the disease has disappeared. This fact indicates the transition of acute orchiepididymitis to chronic.
For men's health, this is especially dangerous due to the development of complications such as abscess, testicular infarction, and malignant formation. An untreated lump in the left or right testicle can lead to male infertility.
When a focal change in the consistency of the testes appears, it is necessary to undergo a complete thorough examination in order to determine the cause and make a diagnosis.
Primary diagnosis begins with palpating the groin area and taking fluid from the scrotum for analysis. Diagnostics are also carried out using standard laboratory methods to determine the cause of the compaction. If necessary, a man is prescribed the following types of diagnostics:
Treatment is determined by the cause of the lump on the testicles and the timeliness of seeking medical help. If the inflammatory nature of the disease is established, it is necessary to eliminate the infectious causes. Additionally, the microflora is cultured for sensitivity to the antibiotic in order to ensure the most effective treatment.
Steroid medications are prescribed for pain relief. In some situations, blockades are used. It is important that the treatment is carried out in combination to obtain the fastest and most complete effect. Vitamins, immunomodulatory medications, antipyretics, and others may also be prescribed. During the inflammatory process, experts recommend that a sick man wear tight underwear. Recurrent types of pathology require surgical treatment.
Malignant forms of compaction on the testicles identified as a result of diagnosis are subject to mandatory surgical removal. Surgical treatment consists of removing the damaged testicle and the corresponding spermatic cord. Next, chemotherapy is usually prescribed. To consolidate the effect, treatment may include radiation therapy and physiotherapy.
Self-medication is strictly excluded, since only an experienced specialist can adequately diagnose, identify the cause and prescribe treatment. Competent diagnosis and correct identification of the cause is the key to successful treatment and full health of a man.
Varicocele is an exclusively male disease, but many members of the stronger sex have never even heard of it. Meanwhile, this pathology is considered quite common, and it is diagnosed in 15% of the male population of the planet. The disease is usually detected during a search for the causes of male infertility, since in 40% of cases it prevents the conception of the first child and in 80% of the second. Basically, the development of varicocele of the left testicle occurs (photos of this disease are present in reference books on andrology).
This disease is a varicose vein in the testicles and spermatic cord, resulting in impaired blood flow 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 there it stagnates. After some time, blood begins to accumulate at the site of expansion; the venous valves and walls cannot cope with this. Problems arise. Most often, varicocele occurs in the left testicle, because there is a connection between the renal and spermatic veins.
As you know, liquid practically cannot be compressed, so the pressure generated by the reverse flow of blood 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 may vary, and depending on the strength of venous pressure, stretching reaches different degrees. The network of veins surrounding the testicle begins to greatly increase, which is why it seems to sink into a sponge of blood vessels. The scrotum constantly overheats, and the cooling of the testicle stops. In order for sperm to be produced normally, a low temperature is necessary, which no longer exists. Therefore, varicocele is considered the main factor of infertility in men.
If you focus on statistics, then in 92% of cases a varicocele of the left testicle occurs. The reasons for this are due to the anatomical features of the structure of the network of blood vessels in the scrotum. The vein of the right testicle flows into the inferior cava, and the left into the renal vein, which is often compressed between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. This leads to difficulty in venous outflow in this direction. It was also found that the valve of the left testicular vein is damaged more often than the valves of the right vessel.
The causes of varicocele of the left testicle are:
An andrologist diagnoses this pathology. First, the doctor interviews the patient to identify all concomitant diseases, after which the patient undergoes all the required tests. If there is a suspicion of varicocele, then in this case an abdominal ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound are prescribed. Such procedures are performed while the patient is standing or lying down. If the doctor is experienced, then it will not be difficult for him to identify a varicocele by palpating the seminal cord.
This disease is also diagnosed using the Valsalva maneuver. The patient needs to tense his abs, and the doctor, when palpating, determines enlarged veins in the diseased organ.
This disease is often accompanied by a complication such as a 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 surgically.
How to treat varicocele on the left testicle? The only effective treatment is surgery. Since this disease is not classified as dangerous, there is no direct indication for surgical intervention. This is only necessary in the following cases:
At the same time, many experts are inclined to agree that if varicocele is detected in children and adolescents, then surgery must be performed to eliminate potential infertility.
To date, the surgical treatment of this disease is presented in four ways:
Such surgical intervention is performed quite often if varicocele of the left testicle is diagnosed. The Ivanissevich operation is carried out as follows: an incision is made in the iliac region. After the skin and subcutaneous tissue are cut, the layer of muscles and tendons is cut, a testicular vein is found in the depths and it is ligated. The essence of the operation consists of isolating ligation of the veins of the left testicle slightly above the internal ring of the inguinal canal.
A small incision is made in the area of the external inguinal ring, moving one centimeter away from the base of the penis. As soon as the skin and subcutaneous tissue are dissected, the spermatic cord is found and its vein is ligated. Subsequently, blood from the testicle begins to flow through the superficial veins.
This technology for treating varicocele of the left testicle is a real breakthrough in surgery. Instead of an incision, five millimeter punctures are made. The first puncture is made in the navel area, a miniature television camera is inserted through it, which is connected to a video monitor. On its screen, the surgeon can see everything necessary in the operation area.
Two more punctures are made and scissors and miniature clamps are inserted through them. Using these instruments, the veins of the testicle and the artery are isolated from under the peritoneum. The surgeon then places titanium staples on the testicular veins or ties them with surgical thread. The operation lasts about thirty minutes.
The operation helps restore normal blood supply to the testicle. In this case, its vein is transplanted into the epigastric vein, which allows the normal flow of blood from the testicle to be restored.
After the operation has been performed, the patient must remain in the hospital for some time. This is necessary to avoid complications, although this happens quite rarely thanks to modern methods of treating varicocele. In 90% of cases, pain that may bother you after surgery goes away quite quickly.
In 10% of cases after varicocele surgery, the left testicle hurts 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 lymphatic vessels. In this case, a second visit to the doctor is required.
Men often ask the question: if a varicocele of the left testicle is detected, is treatment without surgery a dream or a reality? Most doctors are of the opinion that only surgery can eliminate this disease and no medications can cure it. However, the operation only eliminates the consequences that have occurred. Therefore, many believe that for varicocele of the left testicle, treatment with folk remedies and special exercises bring tangible results. But conservative treatment methods are possible only for stage 1 varicocele. The disease of the second and third degrees requires only surgical treatment.
Thus, the following exercises are effective for varicocele of the left testicle:
Treatment with folk remedies for varicocele of the left testicle is considered no less effective:
To avoid this disease, preventive measures are taken that are aimed at following simple rules to help avoid stagnation of blood in the groin area. You should warm up regularly if your work is sedentary or you have to stand in one place for a long time. It is recommended to do exercises for your legs every day. Jogging in the morning and 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 healthy by 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, if these recommendations are followed, can still occur if there is a genetic predisposition. Therefore, preventive measures also include regular examinations with an andrologist.
The prevention of varicocele in a teenage boy should be carried out by his parents, taking care to detect this disease in a timely manner. They are obliged to explain to him the need for medical examination and timely treatment in order to avoid possible infertility in the future.
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 minute. 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 happening are very high.
Thus, varicocele of the left testicle, photos of which help to better understand this problem, is not considered a death sentence for men who dream of having children. If you consult a doctor in time and get rid of such an unpleasant disease, the prognosis in this case will be very favorable.