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Symptoms of varicocele and basic methods of preventing the disease

Since this disease develops due to individual anatomical characteristics or hereditary predisposition, it is impossible to talk about specific prevention.

Simply put, modern medicine at the moment does not have any precise instructions, following which one can be guaranteed to avoid varicose veins of the seminiferous tubules and epididymis (shown in the photo).

Therefore, prevention of varicocele involves eliminating factors that can trigger or accelerate the development of the disease. For a more complete understanding, let’s remember how the disease develops and who is at risk.

What is varicocele

Varicocele is a pathological change in the veins of the scrotum that supply blood to the testicles. The disease consists of varicose veins of the spermatic cord as a result of increased pressure.

As a rule, boys and young men during puberty up to 20-22 years of age are more susceptible to the disease, but the disease cannot be ruled out in middle-aged adult men. The most common left-sided varicocele develops because anatomically the spermatic cord is located almost perpendicular to the renal vein, but it can also be right-sided, as well as bilateral.

The danger lies in the development of infertility due to disruption of the outflow of venous blood from the testicles or the formation of pathologies that lead to other serious disorders of male health.

The essence of venous valves is to prevent the reverse flow of blood and prevent it from stagnating in one place. Their work promotes the movement of venous blood to the heart and lungs, where it becomes arterial as a result of oxygen saturation and is drawn into further circulation.

With varicose veins, the normal functioning of the valves is disrupted, they weaken, which contributes to poor blood circulation and its stagnation. As a result, not only blood circulation is disrupted, but also clots appear, and due to increased pressure, the veins expand, in which stagnant processes form.

This violation leads to varicose veins and increased temperature in the testes, which negatively affects spermatogenesis.

Varicocele is a disease that affects young people during puberty.

Basic principles of prevention

Any doctor, whether a therapist or a urologist, advises undergoing regular medical examinations, especially for boys and young men under the age of 21, to identify varicocele, as well as other possible diseases of the circulatory and cardiovascular systems.

It should be noted that if during puberty there was no inflammation of the veins of the spermatic cord, then there is a high probability that this pathology will not develop further.

It is important to warn that in addition to the primary (idiopathic varicocele), there are also secondary formations that can appear in adulthood.

This can happen for various reasons, for example, due to injuries, inflammation or tumor formations (benign or malignant), veins can be pinched and the outflow of blood from the scrotum may be impaired.

Therefore, it is useful to periodically conduct a self-examination of the genitals and visit a clinic for a professional examination.

What to do if you have varicocele

If a disease is detected, it is necessary to provide rest for the scrotum (wearing elastic underwear to reduce testicular shaking) and create conditions under which additional excess pressure will not be created in the veins.

To do this, you need to avoid lifting heavy objects, avoid physical activity and shaking the testicles, and eliminate diarrhea and constipation. This instruction helps to reduce intravenous pressure, which will help slow the progression of the disease, reduce its symptoms and speed up recovery.

Wearing special underwear for varicocele

To alleviate the condition, you can apply cold to the affected area, take blood thinning medications, for example, Normoven and vasoconstrictor medications.

Important! The use of heat and medications that dilate blood vessels for varicocele will only worsen the situation.

General prevention of varicocele in men consists of eliminating blood stagnation in the pelvic organs, proper nutrition, aimed at eliminating bowel disorders. It is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle and regular sex life.

Moderate exercise, avoiding overloads, rest and food rich in vitamins and microelements will be useful. Be sure to wear loose underpants that allow the scrotum to move freely for thermoregulation.

Once the disease is identified, only surgery is indicated. All other methods are ineffective and can only delay a new exacerbation.

The cost of the operation is low, it goes quickly and gives an excellent result, almost forever relieving the man of this unpleasant illness. It is important that the onset of possible infertility is excluded and the patient’s quality of life is significantly increased.

Modern surgery leaves virtually no scars and gives good cosmetic results. If a secondary varicocele occurs, it is necessary to first determine the primary disease and begin its treatment. If you have diseases of the genital area, such as prostatitis, orchitis, epididymitis, do not delay their treatment. It is described in more detail in the video in this article.

Important! At the first symptoms of varicocele, you should immediately visit a urologist or surgeon. Advanced forms are more difficult to treat and threaten infertility.

Prevention of relapse

As a rule, after surgery, varicocele is completely cured. However, everything depends on the methods and individual characteristics of the body. The table shows the likelihood of postoperative complications.

Probability of relapses and complications during surgical treatment:

Technique Artery preservation Hydrocele (%) Recurrence of varicocele (%) Possibility of serious complications
Retroperitoneal access No 7 15-20 No
Classic inguinal approach No 3-30 5-15 No
Laparoscopic Yes 12 5-15 Yes
Microsurgical subinguinal Yes 1 No

To prevent recurrence of the disease or after surgery on one testicle, the following recommendations should be followed:

  • have a constant sex life excluding excessive zeal (only after completion of rehabilitation);
  • take medications to prevent blood stagnation in the pelvic organs;
  • eliminate bad habits such as drinking alcohol, smoking, eating spicy and fatty foods, fast foods, etc.;
  • lead an active lifestyle, move more, do morning exercises;
  • minimize the effect of heat on the scrotum (saunas, baths, hot baths), moreover, such activities lead to an increase in blood pressure;
  • a few months after the operation, donate sperm for analysis to establish the level of reproductive function and identify possible abnormalities that will require immediate treatment;
  • be examined by a urologist or andrologist once every 6 months;
  • try not to stay in a motionless sitting or standing position for a long time;
  • eat high-quality healthy foods containing the entire complex of vitamins and minerals, as well as rationally consume basic organic compounds;
  • periodically do special exercises to prevent varicocele (leg swings, pelvic rotation, jogging, yoga, squats, etc.)

Short easy runs

Traditional methods of prevention

Traditional medicine and other similar methods are not able to cure or prevent the development of varicocele, but their use in conjunction with specialized treatment can significantly improve results and avoid relapses:

  1. Massaging the testicles with the pelvis elevated helps a lot. It is necessary to make gentle rolling movements, do not use if there is pain.
  2. Drinking decoctions and teas with medicinal plants that have an anti-inflammatory effect. These include: mint, thyme, lemon balm, St. John's wort, chamomile, oak bark, etc.
  3. In the postoperative period, applying a compress of herbal infusion to the scar to eliminate painful sensations helps (can only be used after the wound has healed).

To summarize, we emphasize that if a young person has a predisposition due to the factors described above, then in most cases it will not be possible to avoid varicocele. However, taking precautions will allow you to transfer the disease to older years, when surgery, as the only really effective remedy, will be less traumatic for the young psyche.

In other cases, compliance with the rules described above is quite capable of preventing the development of this disease.

Source: https://uFlebologa.ru/profilaktika/profilaktika-varikocele-265

Prevention of varicocele

Content:

  1. Prevention measures
  2. Basic methods of prevention for varicocele

Varicocele is a varicose vein in the male genital organs. The veins of the spermatic cord and testicles are affected due to improper blood flow.

Varicocele, the prevention of which allows you to stop the progression of the disease, does not threaten the life of a man. However, advanced disease is the main cause of infertility. That is why timely prevention of varicocele is so important.

This is a common disease and is often diagnosed in young patients (about 17% of all cases) and sometimes in children under 10 years of age (6% of patients).

Prevention measures

Many causes of varicocele in men are hereditary. In this case, sooner or later the disease may appear in those males whose parents suffer from varicose veins. Therefore, young people at the age of 19-20 need to visit a urologist or urologist-andrologist for a full examination. This also needs to be done for men in adulthood.

The male reproductive system is treated and diagnosed by a urologist-andrologist. To accurately diagnose varicocele, your doctor may prescribe the following examination methods:

  • Palpation. The doctor feels the scrotum area. With the expansion of the walls of the blood vessels, the scrotal area becomes slightly swollen and saggy. With a unilateral varicocele, the half of the scrotum on the side of which the vessels are affected will be different. The genitals are palpated only in a standing position.
  • The doctor may perform a Valsalva maneuver: ask the patient to hold their breath for a few seconds and strain. In this case, the vessels dilate and you can visually observe their varicose veins, if any.
  • Ultrasound or sonography using Doppler ultrasound. This is a reliable method that allows you to detect even minor damage to the veins of the genital organs.
  • Spermogram. If a varicocele is suspected, it is necessary to conduct this examination to monitor the fertilizing quality of sperm. The method allows you to assess the condition of sperm, their motility and quantity. With varicocele in men, the quality of sperm decreases, up to the development of infertility.

Young people need to visit a urologist or urologist-andrologist for examination

As a rule, the disease develops on the left side, sometimes on both sides, and the right side of the varicocele rarely affects.

If a man at a young age, after examination by a doctor, was not diagnosed with varicocele, then most likely the disease will not appear in the future.
However, genital injuries, bad habits, stress and hard physical labor can trigger the development of varicocele at any age.

Some preventative measures will help protect against the development of varicocele. Here are some recommendations:

  • Physical activity should not be excessive or too long.
  • Maintain moderation when playing sports; do not strain your abs too much.
  • Do not lift heavy objects or stay in a vertical position for a long time.
  • Long bicycle rides are harmful.
  • It is necessary to give up bad habits (alcohol and smoking).
  • You should do a morning warm-up, including leg exercises. It's good to walk.
  • Eat more vegetables and fruits, eliminating “junk” foods from your diet.

Athletes and manual workers are at risk, since physical activity creates an excessive rush of blood to the pelvic organs.

To prevent blood stagnation in the pelvic organs, you need to monitor your lifestyle and diet. Here are some tips for preventing male diseases, including varicocele:

  • Sitting for a long time is harmful. If your work is predominantly sedentary, take breaks from time to time; walking will help avoid congestion in the pelvis and the appearance of varicocele. Simple gymnastics is even more useful - moving the pelvis in a circle, first clockwise and then counterclockwise, squats, standing on your toes for 20 seconds, then sharply lowering onto your heels. Choose dancing or yoga as a hobby.
  • Controlling bowel movements and eliminating problems with them. If a patient constantly has problems with bowel movements, it is necessary to address this problem as soon as possible. Otherwise, varicocele cannot be avoided. The mechanism here is as follows: during the process of defecation, when constipated, a person pushes unnecessarily. And with chronic diarrhea, the urge to go to the toilet and subsequent bowel movements occur quite often during the day. Both situations increase the flow of blood in the vessels of the abdominal cavity, creating stress on the veins. If you have irregular bowel movements or diarrhea, it is necessary to examine the intestines to identify the reasons for its malfunction. Such symptoms can be caused by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, allergies or tumors.
  • Watch your weight. Obesity must not be allowed to develop. The fat layer creates pressure on the veins, causing their walls to expand. The diet should include fiber - fruits, vegetables, bran.
  • Lead the right lifestyle. Walking in the fresh air and proper nutrition are beneficial. It is necessary to include greens, fruits and vegetables, and grains in the diet. Avoid alcohol and smoking - blood vessels are the first to suffer from bad habits and provoke the appearance of varicocele in men.
  • Cure all diseases of the abdominal organs in a timely manner. Chronic diseases lead to the formation of adhesions between organs. Adhesions create pressure on the vessels and infringe on the veins of the testicle and spermatic cord. Diseases must be treated before they enter the chronic stage. Chronic forms of diseases are difficult to treat, and it can take much more money and time to combat them.
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Basic methods of prevention for varicocele

If, during an examination by an andrologist, varicocele disease has already been diagnosed, do not despair. In the initial stages, doctors recommend certain preventive measures aimed at preventing the progression of the disease.

In the first stages of the disease, varicocele practically does not manifest itself at all, but as the disease progresses, swelling of the scrotum, enlargement of one testicle, dilated, clearly visible vessels on the scrotum, and pain in the groin area are most often noted.

In addition, it is necessary to remember that varicocele and prostatitis are related.

Poor venous outflow can provoke stagnation of blood in the prostate gland, thereby disrupting its functioning, causing various dysfunctions of the male reproductive system, including hormonal disorders.

There are three degrees of varicocele:

Lead a healthy lifestyle

  • 1st degree - at rest, no changes are visible in the scrotum area; when straining and holding your breath in a standing position, dilation of the veins is detected.
  • 2nd degree - in a standing position at rest, dilated veins are visible, which do not collapse if the patient takes a lying position. The testicles have a normal dense structure and size.
  • 3rd degree - the veins of the scrotum area are visible in the form of zigzag dilated vessels, the testicle is reduced, its structure is heterogeneous. A spermogram reveals poor sperm quality; infertility can be diagnosed based on the results of a spermogram.

If you have already been diagnosed with varicocele, but no surgery was required, usually in grade 1 or 2, visit your urologist regularly. Constant monitoring of the course of the disease will prevent it from becoming more serious and help avoid surgery. In the initial stages of varicocele, as a preventive measure, care should be taken to:

  • Sex life was regular. Long-term abstinence is harmful to a man's health. Irregular sex life causes stagnation of venous blood in the genital organs. To prevent varicose veins, you need to have sex at least once a week, and the optimal number of sexual intercourse is 3-4 times a week.
  • There was no stagnation in the pelvic organs. It is useful to massage to disperse stagnant blood. This method is applicable in the second and third stages of varicocele. During the massage, the pelvis should be raised - place a bolster or pillow under the buttocks. It is necessary to massage the area of ​​the testicles and scrotum gently, without pressing too much, but light touches will not bring any effect. There should be no pain when massaging this area. If you feel discomfort, massage is contraindicated.
  • Avoid stressful situations. Anxiety and negative emotions raise the level of adrenaline and other hormones, which, in turn, provokes vascular tone. Over time, the walls of blood vessels that are under constant tension become very weak, which can provoke the progression of varicose veins.
  • Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of sperm were normal. If sperm quality is low, take vitamin complexes and dietary supplements containing selenium and zinc to improve spermatogenesis. Folic acid and vitamin E are essential.
  • Do not sit for a long time. Engage in active sports (running, swimming, yoga), but not strength sports, where you need to strain your abdominal muscles and lift weights.
  • The food was balanced and complete. Be sure to include fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins in your diet.

Nutrition should be balanced and healthy

Prevention methods can be used such as:

  • Tinctures, extracts and preparations from horse chestnut, which are recommended for the treatment of varicose veins and varicocele. Preparations from this plant are sold in pharmacies. You can make your own tincture from horse chestnut fruits. To do this, you need to pour 50 g of horse chestnut fruit with alcohol or vodka, put it in a dark place, protected from sunlight, for 14 days. The resulting tincture is filtered through cheesecloth. The drug is taken 15 drops before meals three times a day.
  • Ointments that help strengthen the walls of veins and disperse stagnant blood. Ointments have these properties: Troxevasin, Venoton and others. The ointment must be rubbed into the scrotum area, massaging for 3 minutes.

However, if the varicocele is already at the last stage or the man suffers from constant pain in the scrotum area, treatment is usually surgical. In the modern world, the varicocelectomy method is often used - a microsurgical intervention performed without incisions using special mini-instruments and a microscope.

Trauma is minimal, the patient can go home on the day of surgery or after two days. The essence of the method is as follows: using an instrument, under the control of a microscope, the doctor penetrates deep into the affected vessel and ligates it, eliminating the expansion, restoring blood circulation through undamaged veins. There are practically no cosmetic defects observed after such an operation.

Today, this is the most progressive method of treating varicocele.

In order not to bring your body to surgical intervention, you should regularly examine your genitals, especially if your relatives have benign or malignant tumors.

Varicocele may indirectly confirm the presence of a neoplasm.

In this case, the tumor (benign or malignant) can compress nearby vessels, narrowing their lumen, which provokes varicose veins.

If pain or discomfort in the groin area due to varicocele is still present in a man’s life, we can recommend the following as a preventive measure:

  • For pain in the scrotum area, it is useful to apply an ice pack and take vasoconstrictor medications.
  • Train the walls of the veins using a contrast shower. During water procedures, direct a stream of either warm or cool water (alternately) to the genital area.

It is easier to prevent varicocele disease by applying the necessary preventive measures than to treat the disease, as a rule, in the case of varicocele, surgical intervention in the male body.

At the same time, spending a huge amount of time, effort and nervous experiences before the operation, hoping for a good result, without relapse.

However, any surgical intervention is a serious stress for the body, so any man needs to pay attention to his intimate health.

If you have varicocele, you should not reject traditional medicine as a preventive measure.
So, healers advise preventing varicocele:

  • Using an infusion of Antonov apples. To do this, pour 1 liter of boiling water over three medium apples and leave for at least 3 hours. Then crush the apples into a paste and strain through a sieve. Take half a glass of infusion 3-4 times a day. Remember that the recipe requires only Antonovka, other varieties will not work.
  • Using herbal tea. Method of preparation: equal proportions of chamomile, yarrow, chestnut flowers, rue flowers, raspberry root, willow bark are poured with half a liter of boiling water and the collection is infused for 24 hours. Take 150 g twice a day, no more.

Before using any method of preventing varicocele, you must consult a specialist. Self-medication is dangerous to health and can cause negative consequences for a person.

Source: https://funkit.ru/bolezni/varikocele/profilaktika-varikotsele.html

Prevention of testicular varicocele: in men, prevent, prevention

Varicocele is varicose veins in the male genital organs. Occurs in 30 percent of the stronger sex. If left untreated, the disease leads to infertility. If in the early stages varicocele can be cured with drugs and a bandage, then in the later stages surgery is indicated. Many men are interested in whether prevention helps with varicocele.

What preventative measures are there?

Since the disease is caused by poor circulation, due to improper functioning of vascular valves, it is necessary to focus on strengthening blood vessels and normalizing blood circulation. Measures to prevent testicular varicocele will be individual for each man.

The disease often occurs in boys and adolescents. Therefore, parents should pay attention to preventing the development of varicocele. For this, your son needs to be shown to a pediatric urologist.

If some signs are present, treatment must be started immediately. Or maybe you will need surgery. This is necessary in order to prevent the development of infertility.

If you ignore the boy's preventive examination, the disease may take a serious turn, sometimes even life-threatening.

Some methods of preventing varicocele in men may seem very effective, but in fact they can only worsen the condition.

Therefore, it is very important to contact specialists to resolve this issue. Many people, for example, think that playing sports can get rid of all health problems. But is it? Let's try to figure it out.

Sport

Indeed, sport heals both the soul and body of a person. But here it is important not to overdo it. For example, weightlifting and bodybuilding, which are so popular nowadays, can be harmful if you are predisposed to varicocele.

The fact is that strength loads, lifting weights, barbells, etc. have a detrimental effect on the vessels of the lower half of a man’s torso. As a result, they begin to expand excessively and blood flow is disrupted. And as a result, varicocele occurs.

You should do a morning warm-up, including leg exercises. It's good to walk.

Therefore, it is important to limit lifting weights, barbells, and strength exercises if you suspect this disease. The same goes for race walking and running. You cannot run for a long time or walk long distances, no matter how useful it may seem.

At the same time, the vessels of the scrotum are overstrained, and additional friction of this organ on clothing is created. What is a prerequisite for the development of the disease. Prolonged cycling is also harmful for varicocele.

If you are predisposed to varicocele, useful sports are:

  • swimming;
  • gymnastics;
  • yoga;
  • tennis;
  • badminton.

You also can’t pump your abdominal muscles for a long time. It’s good if the doctor gives a man with a prerequisite for this disease an individual set of daily exercises.

Lifestyle

To prevent varicocele, you should pay attention to lifestyle. It is necessary to establish a work and rest schedule, avoiding overwork.

It is better to go to bed and get up at the same time. You should avoid standing for long periods of time and walking for a long time. You need to take a rest break more often, just lie quietly.

At the same time, a prerequisite for the development of varicocele is a sedentary lifestyle. In this case, blood stagnates in the pelvis, causing varicose veins in the scrotum.

Therefore, when working sedentarily, it is important to get up and stretch and walk around. Or do some light exercises. Sitting on the couch in front of the TV all day on the weekend is also a factor in the development of varicocele.

It is important to spend your vacation actively, walk in the fresh air, in the forest, in the country. Fishing is also unlikely to be useful in this case.

Particular attention should be paid to sex life. It is necessary to adhere to the golden mean. Long-term sexual abstinence should be avoided, but you should not overwork yourself.

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Nutrition

Diet is of great importance for the prevention of varicocele. Firstly, we must avoid constipation, which has a detrimental effect on the pelvic vessels. To do this, it is important to choose the right diet that stimulates intestinal function. Secondly, it is necessary to include in your diet foods that help strengthen the vascular wall.

What should not be consumed if you suspect varicocele:

  • alcoholic drinks;
  • spicy food;
  • salty foods;
  • fast food;
  • pepper;
  • smoked meats;
  • fried food;
  • cakes;
  • ice cream.

What to eat to prevent the disease:

  • beets;
  • dried apricots;
  • cabbage;
  • buckwheat;
  • apples;
  • peaches;
  • cucumbers;
  • zucchini;
  • dairy products;
  • beef.

You can eat cooked horse chestnut fruits. This plant is known to strengthen blood vessels and help with varicose veins. You should eat less flour, sweets, and fatty foods. These products contribute to blood clots and blockage of blood vessels.

Eat more vegetables and fruits, eliminating “junk” foods from your diet.

It is useful to drink rosehip decoctions and hawthorn infusion. Many fresh berries (blueberries, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries) can also strengthen the vascular wall. It is also important not to overeat so as not to cause sudden weight gain. Because excess weight is a common cause of varicocele development.

Drugs

There are some medications that can be taken prophylactically. It is better if they are prescribed by a doctor.

Drugs that have a positive effect on blood vessels:

  1. Venotonics (Detralex, Venarus, Aescusan, etc.).
  2. Ointments for rubbing into the scrotum (Heparin, Troxerutin, etc.).
  3. Vitamins (Ascorutin, Alphabet, etc.)
  4. Dietary supplements (Venocorset, Omega-3, Atheroclefit, etc.).

Among the folk remedies we can recommend:

  • horse chestnut;
  • white acacia;
  • red clover;
  • hawthorn.

All this can be taken with the permission of a doctor, taking into account contraindications and side effects.



Prevention of varicocele during illness

If the disease is already noticed in the first stages, it is important to follow preventive measures:

  1. Do not overwork, do not walk for a long time.
  2. Don't sit in one place for a long time.
  3. Wear a special bandage to stop the process.
  4. Get examined frequently.
  5. Do not lift heavy objects.
  6. Do not engage in weightlifting or bodybuilding.
  7. Take medications prescribed by your doctor.

It is important to follow a daily routine and monitor your diet. You definitely need to give up bad habits. It is necessary to monitor your weight, avoiding a sudden increase. You must have regular sexual intercourse.

If you have varicocele, you cannot visit the bathhouse or sauna, or ride a bicycle for a long time. It is important to monitor normal bowel function and avoid constipation.

Source: https://flebolog.guru/varikotsele/varikotsele-profilaktika/

Preventive measures for varicocele

Varicocele is a varicose vein of the pampiniform plexus of the spermatic cord.

The disease can be acquired, but most often it is a congenital pathology that does not threaten the life of a man, but requires timely treatment, as it has an adverse effect on the quantity and quality of spermatogenesis.

Over time, it can lead to infertility because normal blood flow is disrupted and testicular tissue atrophy occurs.

Rarely, a bilateral type of the disease occurs, and it mainly affects the left testicle, since the vein on it is much longer and is subject to great pressure, as a result the blood stagnates, which contributes to the occurrence of varicose veins.

In 40% of men diagnosed with infertility, varicocele is detected. In addition, according to statistics, every 6th young person aged 16 to 25 years suffers from this disease. Recently, the disease has become younger and is diagnosed before the age of 10 years in 6% of all cases of the disease. Therefore, great attention must be paid to the prevention of testicular varicocele.

What preventative measures are there?

Often varicocele has a hereditary predisposition. Therefore, the disease can manifest itself at any age and at any time if the man’s parents have varicose veins.

Therefore, already at the age of 20, or better yet even earlier, you need to contact a specialist - a urologist-andrologist or simply a urologist for further examination. At a more mature age, you will also need to contact specialists; it is better not to delay this.

To make a correct diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe certain types of examinations:

  1. Palpation. The doctor palpates the scrotum area. If the walls of the vessels are dilated, the scrotum will be swollen and saggy. In the case of unilateral varicose veins, the half of the scrotum that has vascular damage will be visually different. In this case, the examination takes place only in a vertical position.
  2. Valsalva tension method. It goes as follows: exhale, take a deep breath, exhale, hold your breath and strain hard. As a result, the vessels become tense and varicose veins can be visualized.
  3. Ultrasound examination or Dopplerography. This method of detecting testicular varicose veins is considered very reliable and allows you to detect even the slightest pathology at an early stage.
  4. Spermogram. Makes it possible to assess spermatogenesis - controls the quality and quantity of sperm, their motility. It is performed in men with an established diagnosis of infertility.

If at a young age a man was examined for varicocele and it was not found, this does not mean that he is insured against the disease. This means that he does not have a congenital pathology, but all kinds of injuries, bad habits, stress and hard physical labor can be the impetus for the onset of varicocele.

It should be noted that men who professionally play sports or perform heavy physical work are at constant risk of developing the disease, since regular physical activity causes blood to flow forcefully to the pelvic organs, where it can stagnate.

Prevention of varicocele includes the following recommendations:

  • When playing sports, do not overdo it with pumping up your abs, be moderate in your actions.
  • Don't overload yourself with prolonged strength training. Any physical exercise should be in moderation.
  • Do not lift heavy weights, alternate loads, and also change body positions - you do not need to stay upright for a long time.
  • Long cycling should also be avoided.
  • Give up bad habits (drinking alcohol and smoking). They negatively affect the walls of blood vessels, damaging them.
  • Make it a habit to do exercises or warm-ups in the morning, and be sure to use leg exercises. Walk more. A healthy lifestyle, sports training, but only in moderation and not intense, have a beneficial effect on the walls of blood vessels and veins.
  • Watch your diet, stick to a healthy diet, eat plenty of raw vegetables and fruits.
  • An equally serious problem in modern society is a sedentary lifestyle. If you are forced to sit for long periods of time at work, then you need to organize breaks for yourself in order to perform a minimum set of exercises to eliminate congestion in the pelvis, or at least walk around a little. It is useful to do the following exercises: pelvic rotation, squats, standing on your toes for 15-20 seconds, followed by a sharp descent onto your heels. It is also recommended to do yoga and dancing.
  • Monitor your bowel movements to ensure they are regular. But if you already have problems with bowel movements, constipation often occurs or, on the contrary, diarrhea, then they need to be addressed immediately, since excessive straining during bowel movements with constipation, as well as constant urge with diarrhea, can cause the appearance of varicocele. After all, both situations force blood to rush to the abdominal cavity, resulting in a strong load on the veins. If you often experience the above problems, then you need to have your intestines examined as soon as possible. Such stool disorders can be caused not only by gastrointestinal diseases, but also by allergic reactions and tumors of various origins.
  • Monitor your weight carefully. Avoid excess weight, let alone obesity. The fat layer puts increased pressure on the veins, causing their walls to stretch.
  • If you have diseases of the abdominal organs, you need to treat them in a timely manner. The chronic course of the disease causes the formation of adhesions between the organs of the gastrointestinal tract and the reproductive system. Adhesions also put pressure on the vessels, which leads to pinching of the veins of the testicle and spermatic cord. Try not to let the disease progress so as not to make it chronic. Advanced and chronic diseases are difficult to cure; moreover, it takes more time, effort and money.

  Stages of development and treatment methods for varicocele in men

Prevention in the presence of disease

There are also preventive measures to stop the progression of varicoceles, even if you have already been diagnosed with such a diagnosis during examination.

In general, the initial stages of the disease do not manifest themselves with specific symptoms, only as varicose veins develop, some changes can be observed - swelling of the scrotum, an increase in the size of the testicle, swollen, visually noticeable vessels, pain in the groin. Therefore, screening for varicocele at a young age is very important.

In addition, do not forget that the prostate gland and testicular veins are not so far from each other. Therefore, varicocele and prostatitis go side by side. Disruption of blood flow in the veins provokes congestion in the prostate, causing pathologies in its normal functioning. Subsequently, hormonal imbalances also occur.

Let's consider the basic classification of varicocele according to N. A. Lopatkin, which is still used today:

  1. 1st degree. In a calm state, no changes are observed in the scrotum. When you hold your breath and then strain (in a vertical position), the dilation of the veins is visualized.
  2. 2nd degree. The testicles are of normal size, dense, but at rest in a vertical position, swollen veins are observed that do not pass even if the man takes a horizontal position.
  3. 3rd degree. The veins on the scrotum stand out strongly, while the testicle shrinks, the structure is heterogeneous. When examining a spermogram, infertility can be diagnosed, as the quality and quantity of sperm decreases.

As a rule, with grades 1 and 2 varicocele, surgical interventions are not required, but you need to see a urologist or andrologist regularly. Now it is simply necessary to constantly monitor the development of the disease in order to prevent its progression, thereby eliminating surgery in the future.

In the initial stages of varicose veins of the pelvic organs, you need to adhere to preventive measures:

  1. Keep your sex life regular. Long-term abstinence is especially dangerous for a man’s entire body. It provokes stagnation of blood in the pelvic organs. Sexual life should be present in a man’s life at least once a week, the best option is 3-4 times.
  2. Stagnation of blood in the pelvis will help prevent massage, which can be performed at any stage of varicocele. Rules for performing a massage: the pelvis is raised on a pillow or bolster, the area of ​​the scrotum and testicles is massaged with a medium degree of pressure (a light massage will not give results, and a strong one can harm the veins). If during massage activities you feel even the slightest discomfort and pain, then stop the manipulations immediately.
  3. Avoid stress. Experiences and negative emotions lead to an increase in the level of hormones in the blood, including adrenaline, and this contributes to the tone of the vascular system. Vessels that are constantly under tension weaken and lead to the development of varicose veins.
  4. Conduct sperm tests to ensure that qualitative and quantitative indicators are normal. If the results are poor, it is necessary to take vitamins and mineral complexes that contain sufficient levels of selenium, zinc, vitamin E, and folic acid.
  5. Avoid a sedentary lifestyle, and if this is not possible, then try to move more, choose an active and healthy lifestyle, without excessive stress - swimming, yoga, running.
  6. Replenish your diet with fresh vegetables and fruits in reasonable quantities.

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The last stage of varicocele is treated surgically. To avoid this, you need to carry out timely examinations, especially if you know that one of your relatives has varicose veins. There are cases when varicose veins are provoked by a tumor that compresses the lumen of nearby vessels.

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If, with a diagnosis of varicocele, you often experience pain, then you can apply a cool bubble or do a contrast douche, alternately direct a shower with cool and warm water to the genitals, always ending the procedure with a cool douche.

Don’t forget, sometimes the disease progresses quickly, which can lead to surgery, and surgery is always a risk, so the easiest way to prevent varicocele is by following simple and useful recommendations for preventing the disease. Preventive measures for varicocele Link to main publication

Source: https://varicozguru.ru/lechenie/varikotsele-profilaktika.html

Varicocele - causes, signs and symptoms, treatment

Varicocele is a change in the veins in the area of ​​the spermatic cord, which is formed as a result of the effects of varicose veins and occurs in combination with a violation of the outflow of venous blood from the testicle.

Varicocele, the symptoms of which manifest themselves in the form of bursting and nagging pain, heaviness and discomfort localized in the scrotum, as well as visible venous expansion, often occurs due to inflammation and rupture to which varicose vessels are exposed, which is accompanied by hemorrhage in the scrotal area.

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Against the background of a progressive form of the disease, the affected testicle decreases in size, spermatogenesis is affected, and early male menopause and infertility begin to develop.

general description

Regarding the disease in question, the World Health Organization has its own data, from which it follows that the incidence of varicocele among men is observed in about 17% of cases.

Significant fluctuations in the incidence rate can be observed depending on the territorial location, as well as on the age of men.

For example, in about 19.3% of cases, varicocele is present in adolescents, while military age indicates the presence of this disease in young men in 5-7%.

Quite often, the course of the disease is characterized by the absence of symptoms, which is why, accordingly, men are in no hurry to provide them with appropriate medical care.

An ultrasound scan determines the presence of signs of the disease in question in 35% of cases in those men who have reached puberty.

Moreover, the vast majority of cases indicate a left-sided form of varicocele, caused by the anatomical differences that exist in the venous systems on the right and left sides. The development of a right-sided form of varicocele is relevant in 3-8% of cases, bilateral - in the range from 2 to 12%.

Classification of varicocele

In accordance with the above characteristics of the disease, its corresponding classification is distinguished:

  • depending on the side of the lesion:
    • left-sided varicocele;
    • right-sided varicocele;
    • varicocele bilateral.
  • depending on the characteristics of the etiology:
    • primary varicocele;
    • varicocele symptomatic;
    • functional varicocele (often defined as secondary varicocele).
  • depending on the characteristics of venous reflux:
    • in combination with renotesticular reflux;
    • in combination with ielotesticular reflux;
    • in combination with a mixed form of reflux.
  • depending on the degree (I, II, III);
  • depending on the combination of disease in the renal vein with hypertension:
    • in combination with renal vein hypertension syndrome;
    • without renal vein hypertension syndrome.
  • depending on the definability of the disease through the use of physical methods:
    • subclinical;
    • clinical.

In accordance with the stages of dilation of veins in the pampiniform plexus in combination with changes inherent in testicular trophism, the following stages of the disease are distinguished:

  • Stage I – manifestations of varicose veins are noted only by palpation, which is produced when the patient strains to assume a vertical body position;
  • Stage II - dilated veins are determined visually, there are no changes in the consistency and size of the testicles;
  • Stage III - dilatation in the pampiniform plexus of muscles is pronounced, the testicle decreases in size, and its consistency is also subject to changes.

In rare cases, there is a possibility of transition from one stage to another.

Causes of varicocele

The development of the disease we are considering occurs as a result of the fact that the valves located in the veins, which normally prevent the flow of blood in the opposite direction, “fail” or function, but not well enough for proper results.

As a result, there is an increase in pressure in the veins (for example, when the body assumes a vertical position or as a result of physical stress), the pressure is transmitted in the opposite direction, thereby provoking a gradual expansion in the volume of the venous vessel.

Accordingly, the course of the pathological process in this form also leads to dilation of the veins surrounding the spermatic cord.

Another cause of varicocele is also distinguished by the peculiarities of the anatomical relationships formed between the superior mesenteric artery and the renal vein, in which the aorto-mesenteric “tweezers” are formed.

Over time, exposure to increased pressure leads to an increase in veins in size, to their expansion and stretching. Based on the strength of the vein walls of each individual individual, as well as the magnitude of the impact of venous pressure, stretching can reach different degrees.

The venous network surrounding the testicle becomes larger and larger in size, while pronounced manifestations of the disease in some cases lead to the fact that the testicle becomes as if immersed in a sponge consisting of venous vessels.

Such a peculiar “cushion” of vessels surrounding the testicle leads to the loss of the thermoregulatory function of the scrotum, as a result of which the testicle does not cool. Thus, the low temperature required for sperm production is absent, resulting in suppression of normal spermatogenesis.

Taking into account all the listed features of the course of the disease, it can be noted that varicocele, according to experts, is one of the main factors that provoke infertility in men.

Among the factors that provoke infertility in men, there are:

  • An increase in temperature in the testicle to body temperature (under normal conditions, the testicles are characterized by a lower temperature than body temperature, which thereby determines normal indicators for the course of spermatogenesis);
  • Testicular hypoxia (that is, its oxygen starvation, ischemia);
  • Reverse discharge of biologically active components from the kidneys and adrenal glands;
  • The accumulation of free radicals in the tissues of the testicle, which act as the strongest cellular poisons and, accordingly, damage it.

In addition to the listed influencing factors, varicocele can also appear as a result of congenital weakness, which characterizes the vascular wall as a whole, while the congenital form of the disease manifests itself mainly for this reason.

It is noteworthy that almost always one of the patient’s relatives is faced with varicose limbs, heart valve defects, flat feet, phimosis and other types of manifestations indicating insufficiency inherent in connective tissue.

Often these diseases are concomitant with each other.

Varicocele: symptoms

As for the symptoms characteristic of varicocele, they are determined based on the degree of expansion to which the veins have undergone. Stage I is characterized by the absence of any symptoms; varicose veins are determined randomly during a medical examination.

As for the features of stage II, it is characterized by the presence of complaints from patients about pain localized in the scrotum area, while the severity of their manifestations can vary significantly. In some cases, there is discomfort while walking, and sometimes sharp pain may occur, and their nature makes them more similar to neuralgic pain.

Increased sweating may occur, and a burning sensation may occur in the scrotum area. Often patients diagnosed with varicocele experience sexual dysfunction.

Physical examination reveals dilated veins that reach the lower pole, descending from the testicle below.

In the affected area, the testicle descends, which leads to asymmetry of the affected half of the scrotum and its sagging.

Stage III of the disease is characterized by a loss of connection between physical activity and pain.

In this case, pain becomes a constant phenomenon for the patient, and this manifestation does not disappear during sleep. External examination determines the presence of multiple clusters of veins.

In addition, an increase in the size of the scrotum and the severity of the asymmetry characteristic of it in the disease are becoming a current phenomenon.

Diagnosis of varicocele

Diagnosis of varicocele quite often occurs only on the basis of examination in combination with palpation of the pampiniform plexus (which has the appearance corresponding to its name) when the patient assumes a standing position.

Palpation at a more distinct level is carried out using the Valsalva maneuver (that is, a test with straining, which involves increasing pressure through the abdominal cavity, resulting in increased blood flow to the veins of the testicle).

If the veins are significantly enlarged and there is no doubt about the diagnosis, there is no need for additional examinations.

If the severity of the disease in question is insignificant, it is necessary, in this case, to perform an ultrasound of the scrotum or its Doppler sonography. These examination methods must be carried out both in a lying and standing position, otherwise there is simply no point.

In addition to the above, the diagnosis of varicocele also requires a spermogram, and it is done at least twice, with an interval between procedures of 4-12 weeks. Sexual abstinence for a spermogram is necessary for a period of 2-7 days.

Varicocele: treatment

  • Similar to varicose veins, in which the pathology is localized in the legs, with varicocele the only effective method is surgery, performed in any of the existing forms.
  • Considering the fact that the disease itself is not dangerous, and, as a rule, the symptoms during its course do not bother the patient, an expedient solution is to eliminate the need for surgical intervention when a varicocele is detected in an adult man.
  • The operation becomes mandatory in the following cases:
  • in the presence of severe pain in the testicular area;
  • with infertility on the male side, which arose against the background of decreased motility, quality and quantity of sperm;
  • with an aesthetic defect formed against the background of a disease in the scrotum area;
  • There is a stop in the growth of the testicle affected by the disease, which is particularly important during the patient’s puberty.
  1. In general, it can be noted that the issue regarding the close connection between varicocele and infertility today is quite controversial, as, in fact, the need for surgical intervention is also disputed.
  2. A number of experts in this regard are of the opinion that, as a preventive measure for subsequent infertility, surgical intervention in the case of morbidity in children/adolescents is necessary, regardless of the situation and stage of development of the disease, because the accumulation of blood in the testicles leads to irreversible damage to the spermatogenic epithelium, which in accordance with this feature, it is not restored under any conditions or treatment, thereby causing certain problems in the reproductive sphere.
  3. Meanwhile, there are statements that varicocele is not the cause of infertility; moreover, surgical intervention for this disease is required only when severe pain occurs and when the testicle is underdeveloped on the affected side, that is, with specific indications for surgery

Taking a more detailed look at the disease in the context of possible infertility, an interesting point can be highlighted. In particular, the issue of changes in spermatogenesis, which was in a suppressed state before surgery, is considered.

A study was once conducted on this matter, which lasted about 2 years, examining 986 cases of the disease, accompanied by problems with fertility. The results after surgery in a specified number of patients diagnosed with varicocele were analyzed.

As it turned out, after it, about 70% had improved quality characteristics of sperm, while in 53% of cases, the wives of the test men became pregnant.

It is also known that men with varicocele who refuse surgical intervention become fathers only in 10-15% of cases.

As for the surgical methods of therapy used today, these include open surgery and mini-access surgery, endoscopic surgery, as well as microsurgical testicular revascularization.

When examined by a specialist, the main thing is to determine the reasons that provoked varicocele, because in some cases the appearance of the disease is caused by a kidney tumor. If there are symptoms characteristic of varicocele, consultation with a urologist and phlebologist is necessary.

Source: https://SimptoMer.ru/bolezni/muzhskie-zabolevaniya/135-varikotsele-simptomy

Symptoms of varicocele and basic methods of preventing the disease Link to main publication
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