What is dangerous varicocele in men?

Varicocele sounds quite unusual, but this pathology is quite common among men and represents varicose veins in the seminal cord and in the testicles. Such ailment has a lot of not very pleasant symptoms, followed by a violation of the process of spermatogenesis and problems with reproductive health, flowing into early infertility. In this article, we learn what is dangerous for varicocele, how this pathology manifests itself and what the opinion of specialists about treatment is.

Characteristics of the disease

Among a great number of diseases of the urological nature, varicocele is manifested in one out of ten men who have consulted a doctor with complaints of swelling, tenderness and swelling in the inguinal region.

The name of the disease is Latin, which in literal translation means "swelling of the veins, puffiness".

A few facts about varicocele:

1. It is a pathology due to which there is a change in the veins of the testis and the spermatic cord.
2. The most common lesions are the internal spermatic vein and the left testicular vein.
3. 67% of all manifestations of venous varicose occur on the left side of the body.
4. The expansion of the vessels, unfortunately, is an irreversible and persistent phenomenon.
5. As a result of the thinning of the walls of the vessels, deformity of the veins occurs, and nodity appears.
6. Blood on deformed blood vessels flows less and more slowly.
7. As a result, stagnant blood is formed in the testicles and the spermatic cord.
8. There is inflammation of the surrounding tissues and their subsequent swelling.
9. As puffiness increases, painful sensations, sensations of heaviness and discomfort appear, which, with each movement, disturb the man.
10. What is dangerous varikotsele? If the disease progresses, then there may be a violation of the process of spermatogenesis, which, in turn, is the cause of early male infertility.

Causes of development

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

1. Increased pressure in the renal veins.
2. Deficiency of the testicle vein. Can be valve or anatomical.
3. The combination of both pathologies.

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

What is dangerous varikotsele? This question interests many. We'll figure it out.

The process of the origin of pathology

1. Anatomically, the inguinal ring is connected to the testicle by the spermatic cord.
2. It is important that the inside of the inguinal ring is located not only the vas deferens, but also the vessels: venous, lymphatic, arterial.
3. In the vein there are specific valves through which the regulation of the outflow of blood takes place.
4. Varicose extension affects the groinlike plexus, located in the cord.
5. There is an expansion of the spermatic vein, thinning of its walls, there is nodity.
6. There is a violation of the outflow of blood from the testicles.
7. If there is an anatomical defect on the left side, the outflow of blood is difficult on the left.
8. As a result of lymph flow and blood flow disorders, there may be inflammation or complete rupture of the veins with subsequent bleeding into the scrotum.
9. Progressing varicocele can cause infertility in men.

Causes of blood flow disorders

• It is normal when, in the standing position, the blood flow through the veins has a direction from the renal veins down to the groinlike plexus.
• In prone position the blood flow through the veins should have a direction from the veins of the testicles to the veins of the kidneys.
• In the case of expansion and deformation of venous vessels, progression of varicocele begins.
• If there is a chronic high blood pressure in the vessels of the kidneys, the discharge of blood takes place through collaterals. One of these vessels is the testicular vein.
• The causes of renal hypertension may be a vessel thrombosis and a defect of anatomical origin.
• Hemodynamic disturbances can occur in the case of a marked discharge of blood from the abnormal testicle to the renal vein.
• A permanent change in the outflow of blood through the veins can occur as a result of a birth defect or a defect that has arisen as a result of trauma.

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

Stages of varicocele

Symptomatic pathology affects many factors. Modern medical specialists prefer to use a four-step classification, according to which doctors can make an effective treatment plan and predict recovery. So, the four stages varicocele:

• The first stage. At this stage, there is varicose veins and veins of the spermatic cord. In this case, its definition is possible only with the help of Doppler.
• The second stage. Deformation of varicose nature can be determined by palpation in a standing posture. Is the operation dangerous in varicocele? About this further.
• The third stage. The detection of varicose changes is possible not only in the standing position, but also in the prone position.
• The fourth stage. Nodularity and deformity of the veins can be determined by examining the genitals.

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

Classification of varicocele

To date, not one classification is used. Each of them takes into account the exact reasons for the disease, as well as the individual characteristics of each of the forms by which the disease occurs. Specialists in the field of urology and nephrology in their practice distinguish more than five scales.

Classification on the side of the lesion. One of the forms is the left-sided varicocele. In this case, the left testicular vein is affected. Right-sided varicocele occurs in about 50% of cases, with the right testicular vein being affected. The most rare form is a bilateral varicocele. It occurs only in 5-6% of patients.

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

Classification by etymology of origin. Urologists distinguish between primary and secondary varicocele in men. In the first case, the disease has an innate nature of origin, can be a consequence of genetic and anatomical abnormalities in the renal vessels, in their valves, in the vein of the spermatic cord. In the second case - is a consequence of thrombosis, trauma, neoplasm in the pelvis and in the abdominal cavity, compressing the vessels of the spermatic cord from the outside.

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

Symptoms of the first stage

• Rare pain sensations arising in the groin area after sports loads or physical fatigue.
• In addition, the disease can be diagnosed by a urologist or surgeon during a compulsory medical examination.

What is dangerous varikotsele testicles of the second stage?

Symptoms of the second stage

• Periodic uncomfortable sensations in the inguinal region, arising after the occurrence of sudden movements.
• Discomfortable sensations arising after lifting heavy objects, running or intense and prolonged walking.
• Unpleasant sensations appear as pulling and unpleasant pains of noisy character, like tingling. Patients note that the pains are not of an expressed nature, however they are long.
• Individual patients note a slight sagging testicle, a violation of sexual function.
• With the progression of varicocele in men (which is dangerous, we will consider below), a pronounced asymmetry of the scrotum may appear.

Symptoms of the third stage:

• The pronounced dependence of the appearance of pains on the spermatic cord on physical exertion.
• The manifestation of pain is predominantly from one side.
• The appearance of pulsating and bursting pain in the scrotum after a change in the position of the body.
• The onset of pain at rest, at night.
• Violation of the sexual function - examination allows you to visually identify a noticeable asymmetry of the scrotum.
• Appearance of knotty dilated veins under the skin, pain at palpation.

Is it dangerous to varicocele?

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

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

Methods of treatment varicocele

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

Varicocele can be identified in the first stage, then the only thing that is needed is to change the way of life and limit physical activity.

For the normalization of intra-abdominal pressure, it is worthwhile to perform periodic prevention of constipation. Doctors categorically forbid lifting heavy objects, move sharply, run.

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

• Embolization of the vein, its clipping or bandaging.
• Plastic and raising a sagging testicle.
• Varicocele removal by surgery.

Veins afflicted with the disease can be excised or embolized. Three accesses are possible:

1. Subingual access.
2. Invasive access.
3. Retroperineal.

Modern urology uses laparoscopic surgery. They do not assume a large incision, and the affected segment can be removed by small-sized probes. These operations are related to the field of microsurgery. After the intervention, there may be tiny scars that heal just a week after the operation. The patient after laparoscopy can return to the old way of life after ten days. Doctors will only require physical activity. This is confirmed by the varicocele disease reviews.

Prevention of varicocele

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

1. It is necessary to consciously approach physical exertion and not forget about rest.
2. It is necessary to live a regular sex life.
3. It is not superfluous to limit the use of alcohol.
4. Need to eat quality and balanced. First of all, this will avoid the occurrence of constipation.
5. It is necessary to fully rest and sleep.
6. It is important to take vitamins in the off-season.
7. Timely passage of a physical examination, especially if there are troubling symptoms.

Reviews

Surgical intervention for the treatment of pathology causes many positive reviews. Especially effective is laparoscopy. There are practically no scars, complications, too.

Risk group

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

We looked at how dangerous varicocele is.