On the effects of varicocele: how scary is this?

Infertility problems in the modern world worry not only women, they are also worried about men. In 40% of cases the cause is varicocele, a disease in which the varicose veins surrounding the spermatic cord occur. At the first stages of this pathology, the patient can not disturb anything, quite often there is an asymptomatic course of the disease. This is dangerous, since many men can not pay attention to the swelling of the veins. Meanwhile, the effects of varicocele are really serious: if you start this problem, you can face complete infertility. And it threatens even those who have only one testicle.

Expanded veins mean that a certain part of the blood is not output, its current is disturbed. Therefore, some part is thrown back. This leads to an increase in pressure in a particular area, which provokes, in turn, the expansion of veins. Also, the temperature in the scrotum can rise, this factor inhibits spermatogenesis. Sometimes it is a question of light influence, sometimes - about the possibility of complete infertility. It can not be said beforehand, because the forecast depends on many factors. Therefore, doctors propose to seek help in a timely manner and not play with roulette with nature.

I would like to note that the inability to start offspring threatens even those men whose partners have already become pregnant with them. Varicocele is one of the most common causes of so-called secondary infertility.

And if such a consequence already comes, to cope with it is extremely difficult, if not impossible - impossible. One can not ignore the fact that stagnation of blood leads to a very weak supply of this zone with oxygen. What also works on the suppression of spermatogenesis or on its complete cessation in neglected cases.

Question of contacting a doctor

Of course, it is not necessary to draw independent conclusions. Sometimes the pathology manifests itself visually - the blown veins are visible, sometimes only the heaviness in the scrotum, discomfort is felt. Periodically, pain syndrome is possible. But the diagnosis is made by a doctor based on the results of a visual examination, dopplerography, which checks the condition of the vessels, and periodically a spermogram aimed at revealing infertility is also conducted. Sometimes a trial of Valsalva is prescribed, it is performed by a urologist.

Other consequences of the disease: pain syndrome and not only

With prolonged course of the disease, the pain syndrome can assume a permanent character. This is one more reason why it is better not to delay both with treatment, and with the reference to the doctor. You can lose your ability to work, because the pain in the fourth, the last stage, is already quite noticeable, pronounced character. Also neglected pathology affects the general condition of the body, the level of pressure, can cause problems with the heart. Even if it is not a very recent stage, the patient is still able to periodically experience severe pain, marked discomfort.

Varicocele operation

The most effective medical care today is surgical intervention. All other methods can only provide temporary relief, but do not get rid of the cause of the problem. An obstructive approach to treatment involves the removal of the varicose vein, its dressing( this method is considered less traumatic), and sclerosis of the affected veins. The latter option is used in cases where a significant number of vessels have suffered.

The non-obstructive method has recently been recognized as more progressive. Doctors "give a chance" to the vein, seeking to restore normal blood flow. Sometimes a new path is formed between different vessels surgically. A specific method is chosen by the attending physician, often the surgeon consults with the urologist, other specialists can be involved to assess the general condition, the possible effect of prolonged anesthesia on the body, consideration of other factors. As far as possible, specialists always try to keep as many veins as possible.

Consequences of operation

Many men who have had this disease are concerned about the consequences of the operation itself. Actually there are not so many of them:

1. The occurrence of relapses. In this case, the effects of varicocele may again threaten the body. This risk is minimal with open surgery and is increased by using the microsurgical method;
2. Painful sensations. If the operation was not very successful, then unpleasant sensations can persist for up to a year. But this happens rarely enough, and as the technology improves, clinics purchase new equipment, the risk of such is reduced to a minimum;
3. Stagnation of lymph in the ovary and nearby tissues. The ovary and scrotum can swell, it lasts no more than two weeks, is a normal consequence of the operation. There are no separate measures to solve this problem. If you take care of your health carefully enough, protect the area from damage and mechanical injuries, then the edema will pass;
4. Oophorectomy. If the disturbance of the lymphatic system turned out to be quite serious, then a similar problem may arise. Whether a man will face such a risk or not depends on the type of surgical procedure chosen by the doctors;
5. Seed artery injury. Occurs usually during an operation by an inexperienced surgeon. A similar problem leads to atrophy of the testicle, which can lead to problems in the form of infertility. This issue is solved by careful selection of a competent, qualified specialist.

Thanks to the achievements of modern science and medicine, operations for solving the problem of varicocele are carried out even by adolescents. The risk of recurrence is constantly decreasing. The provision of medication helps to deal with discomfort in a timely manner, which is natural after such interference in the body.

Post-operative recommendations

After the operation, the patient is shown some time for a while, heavy physical activities, lifting of weights are forbidden. At the same time, restrictions are also possible in intimate life. The amount of time during which these recommendations will be relevant depends on the stage of the disease, as well as on the chosen method of surgical intervention. The patient must necessarily come for examination to the doctor in a month, and more frequent visits are possible with a strong pain syndrome, fever, pronounced discomfort.

Some unpleasant sensations after exposure are normal, but within a month everything should heal. If discomfort, together with the pain syndrome, lasts for more than a month, it can mean complications or the fact that the problem has not been solved definitively.

In this case, the man is sent for repeated tests, the urologist is examined. The next visit, even if no problems were found, should be held in 3 months, in some cases - in six months. Such a schedule of visits to the urologist will make it possible to prevent the occurrence of a relapse or to reveal the latter at an early stage. All this will make it possible to avoid the most unpleasant consequences of varicocele.