is bilateral varicocele dangerous
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Primary infertility is generally used to refer to a couple that hasnt conceived a child after at least 1 year of trying. 
Nov. 1, 2021. Varicocele embolization has a 90% success rate, comparable to most surgical procedures. Both men and boys may be candidates for treatment. A varicocele is a common condition that can affect people AMAB at different ages and stages of life. Data from Johns Hopkins and other institutions suggests that both fertility parameters and testosterone levels can both be progressively affected over time. About 20% of adolescents have varicoceles, so a fraction of them likely resolve spontaneously. 12th ed.
Mayo Clinic; 2021. Theyll monitor your health and may order additional tests to make sure your treatment is effective. They can also affect your sperm production and sperm quality. Asian J Androl. For most patients, testosterone levels do rise after repair. Even so, double-check with the surgeon as MAC is often used with local anesthesia to induce "twilight sleep." Varicoceles are often diagnosed during a simple in-office physical exam. World J Mens Health. In some cases, a right-side varicocele can be a sign of adrenocortical carcinoma. Asian J Androl. If the aim of surgery was to restore fertility, your practitioner will wait three to six months before performing a sperm analysis. Varicocele is a common condition affecting 15% to 20% of all males and 40% of men with infertility. Surgery may be considered if a varicocele is causing chronic pain and conservative measures (such as anti-inflammatory drugs, scrotal support, and the limitations of activity) fail to provide relief. 2011;27(1):58. doi:10.4103/0970-1591.78428, Pastuszak A, Wang R. Varicocele and testicular function. If the varicocele doesnt cause pain or discomfort, your doctor may suggest leaving it as is to avoid the risks of surgery. For many men, their varicocele will go unnoticed throughout their life, or it will not cause any problems at all. (2016). James Myhre is an American journalist and HIV educator. Zundel S, et al. Repair of a varicocele may be considered when there is no other identifiable cause of the pain and the pain qualities are consistent with a varicocele, however there can be no guarantee that varicocele repair will eradicate the pain. A varicocele is more likely to occur on the left side of your scrotum because of differences in how blood drains from your left testicle back into the major veins of the body. Inability to achieve pregnancy after at least a year of trying (infertility). Can a varicocelectomy improve my fertility? Sinus Surgery: Everything You Need to Know, Eyelid Surgery: Everything You Need to Know, Herniorrhaphy: What to Expect with Hernia Repair Surgery, Testicular Surgery: Everything You Need to Know, Tympanoplasty Surgery: Everything You Need to Know, A critical appraisal on the role of varicocele in male infertility, Report on varicocele and infertility: A committee opinion, Percutaneous embolization of varicocele: Technique, indications, relative contraindications, and complications, Varicocele-induced infertility: Newer insights into its pathophysiology, Trifecta nerve complex: potential anatomical basis for microsurgical denervation of the spermatic cord for chronic orchialgia, Undergoing varicocele repair before assisted reproduction improves pregnancy rate and live birth rate in azoospermic and oligospermic men with a varicocele: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Current issues in adolescent varicocele: Pediatric urological perspectives, Microscopic subinguinal varicocelectomy in 100 consecutive cases: Spermatic cord vascular anatomy, recurrence and hydrocele outcome analysis, Laparoscopic varicocelectomy in the management of chronic scrotal pain, Two case reports of varicocele rupture during sexual intercourse and review of the literature, Recurrent varicoceles: causes and treatment using angiography and magnification assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy, Does varicocele repair improve male infertility? Seminars in Pediatriac Surgery. Varicoceles can affect anyone with testicles at any age. Some studies show that people who receive varicocele treatment may still sometimes fail to achieve an erection, but not as often. WebVaricoceles can exist on both sides at the same time, but this is rare. Treatment outcomes may include the following: Varicocele repair presents relatively few risks, which might include: The balance between the benefits and risks of surgery shifts if the treatment is only for pain management. The most common include: The risks are significantly lower with open microsurgery, which targets veins more selectively than laparoscopy or percutaneous embolization. The subinguinal approach allows us to avoid cutting muscle fibers, leading to less pain and decreased risk of hernia after surgery. They're usually painless and are most common in babies, but they can affect, Testicular torsion occurs when the spermatic cord becomes twisted. Varicocele repair presents relatively few risks, which might include: Buildup of fluid around the testicles (hydrocele) Recurrence of varicoceles Infection Damage to an artery Chronic testicular pain Collection of blood around the testicle (hematoma) WebVaricoceles are generally symptomless. As featured on Good Morning America, we examine expert opinions and survey data in a comprehensive overview of the current fertility landscape in 2017. AskMayoExpert. Find more COVID-19 testing locations on Maryland.gov. They occur on the left side 90% of the time, but may also be bilateral (occuring on both sides). Repair of a varicocele in the male partner of an infertile couple is indicated when: There is objective evidence of a male factor (e.g. 
The male reproductive system makes, stores and moves sperm. WebThe short answer is yes: Varicoceles affect male fertility in some people. Testicles produce sperm. More commonly, however, a varicocele is only detected upon examination by a physician. However, they can sometimes contribute to mild or severe scrotal pain. Grade 1 is the smallest, and grade 3 is the largest. Healthcare providers use grades to detect and score varicoceles: Varicocele treatment depends on the severity of your varicocele. The procedures include: Pain from this surgery generally is mild but might continue for several days or weeks. The spermatic cord is a band of tissues that holds your testicles in place. A mass in the scrotum. This redirects blood flow to other healthy veins in your scrotum. The swollen vein shrinks and disappears over time. Chiba K, et al. Most men are able to return to their jobs or other activities within just a few days. A urologist will go in through your abdomen or pelvis and clamp or tie off the abnormal veins. Varicoceles are usually painless but can sometimes cause testicular pain, which may come and go. Various systems have been created, but below is the most commonly used scale today: Even within Grades II and III, there can be varying sizes appreciated by experienced physicians, and the findings can help decide whether or not to treat the varicocele. The veins that supply blood to the testicles travel through your abdomen to join with the testes. Varicocele tends to affect the left testicle more than the right due to the direction of blood flow through the scrotum.
A varicocele usually occurs on the left side of the scrotum and often produces no signs or symptoms. Urology Care Foundation. When you're standing, your health care provider may ask you to take a deep breath, hold it and bear down, similar to the pressure during a bowel movement. Causes of a varicocele can vary. A varicocele only occurs in the scrotum and is very similar to varicose veins that can occur in the leg.A varicocele can result in decreased sperm production and quality, which in some cases can lead to infertility. Varicoceles. Sometimes it occurs on both sides. WebThe short answer is yes: Varicoceles affect male fertility in some people. Varicocele repair presents relatively few risks, which might include: Buildup of fluid around the testicles (hydrocele) Recurrence of varicoceles Infection Damage to an artery Chronic testicular pain Collection of blood around the testicle (hematoma) (This does not mean that all men with varicoceles should have them repaired see below). Does varicocele repair improve male infertility? Some people may experience mild discomfort during certain activities, but the varicoceles wont cause serious or long-term health problems. Using video guidance, the catheter is fed to the treatment site. The female partner has normal fertility or potentially treatable. In addition, new evidence shows that sperm function may be affected by varicoceles in ways that are not detected by semen analysis. Deciding whether to treat a varicocele is up to you. Most surgeons will advise against driving or operating heavy machinery for the first 24 hours. It reduces testicular pain and can increase male fertility. Varicoceles often appear on the left side of your scrotum. Nov. 1, 2021.
When both testicles are affected, its called bilateral cryptorchidism, and the procedure to repair the condition is called a bilateral orchiopexy. About 10 to 15 boys out of 100 have a varicocele. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
Cleveland Clinic Imaging is continuously working to provide patients the most up-to-date technological advances and innovative treatment options. Also, bring your insurance card and an approved form of payment ifcoinsurance or copaycosts are required upfront. The specialist will walk you through the procedure and tell you what you need to do before and after surgery. Read our, Common and Uncommon Causes of Testicle Pain. Healthcare providers will usually advise you to stop eating at midnight the night before the procedure. Less commonly, it can affect the right side or both sides. In the modern era, microsurgical denervation of the spermatic cord should also be considered at the time of varicocele ligation in patients with scrotal pain. Possible signs and symptoms may include: Pain. Varicoceles are usually found due to one of the following scenarios: Most commonly, its found in a completely asymptomatic man being evaluated for infertility. What causes hydroceles? Talk to a healthcare provider if you suspect you have infertility. Varicoceles can cause three main problems: Impaired fertility, decreased testosterone production by the testis, or scrotal discomfort. Normally, they have valves that ensure the blood moves in the proper direction. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with