Varicocele
At Montefiore Einstein Urology, you can access exceptional care for varicocele. As a global leader in urology, we are an academic-based, national and international referral site for the most complex and high-risk cases. For more than a century, we have been at the forefront of innovation, research and clinical care for genitourinary (GU) conditions.
Montefiore Einstein se encuentra dentro del 1 % de los mejores hospitales del país en urología según U.S. News & World Report, y continúa impulsando el diagnóstico y tratamiento de las afecciones genitourinarias. Nuestro equipo multidisciplinario de especialistas de renombre mundial trabaja con pasión para descubrir los enfoques diagnósticos y tratamientos más novedosos que pueden mejorar los resultados.
En el Departamento de Urología de Montefiore Einstein, ofrecemos planes de tratamiento compasivos, personalizados y basados en la investigación que cumplen con los más altos estándares de calidad y seguridad. Además, ponemos a disposición de los pacientes una amplia gama de servicios de apoyo, que van desde la orientación nutricional hasta las terapias de rehabilitación.
When you need varicocele care, turn to our dedicated multidisciplinary team for a personalized treatment plan.
Montefiore Einstein ofrece el siguiente contenido de la biblioteca de información sobre salud de Healthwise.
What Is Varicocele?
Varicoceles are enlarged or dilated veins in the scrotum. The condition is typically painless but may sometimes cause testicular pain. In some cases, varicocele may cause infertility.
Causes of Varicocele
Varicocele occurs when the valves in the veins may not work well (or may be missing). If blood flow is sluggish, blood may pool in the veins. Occasionally, blood flow is blocked by swollen lymph nodes or other masses behind the belly. This is painful and may lead to sudden swelling of the scrotal veins.
Signs & Symptoms of Varicocele
Typically, patients with varicocele don’t have any symptoms. However, some patients may experience the following:
- A small lump above the affected testicle
- Dull testicular pain or aching in the scrotum
- Inability to achieve pregnancy
- Shrinking of the testicles
- Swelling of the testicles or scrotum
Diagnosing Varicocele
Varicocele is diagnosed based on a complete physical examination and review of your personal and family medical histories. Your physician may also order tests, including:
- Blood tests: a blood sample is taken to check hormone levels, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone
- Pelvic ultrasound: The most common imaging test used to diagnose varicoceles, a pelvic ultrasound is a noninvasive test that gives your provider a detailed view of the veins in your testicles.
- Semen analysis: If your physician is concerned that varicocele is affecting your fertility, a semen sample is sent to a lab, where technicians will examine the presence and overall health of sperm.
Treating Varicocele
Treatment varies depending on the severity of the varicocele. For low-grade varicocele, treatment may not be required. At-home treatments include:
- Daily routine changes: You may need to avoid certain activities that cause discomfort.
- Ice: Applying ice or cold packs to your scrotum may help relieve pain and discomfort.
- Over-the-counter medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen and ibuprofen, can help relieve symptoms.
For higher-grade varicoceles that are painful or affect fertility, a surgical procedure, called a varicocelectomy, is performed to relieve symptoms.