BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuVaricoceleVaricose veins - scrotumA varicocele is the swelling of the veins inside the scrotum. These veins are found along the cord that holds up a man's testicles (spermatic cord).TesticlesThe testes are 2 egg-shaped male reproductive organs located in the scrotum. They produce sperm and the male hormone, testosterone.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes A varicocele forms when valves inside the veins that run along the spermatic cord prevent blood from flowing properly. Blood backs up, leading to swelling and widening of the veins. (This is similar to varicose veins in the legs.)Varicose veinsVaricose veins are swollen, twisted, and enlarged veins that you can see under the skin. They are often red or blue in color. They most often appea...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Most of the time, varicoceles develop slowly. They are more common in men ages 15 to 25 and are most often seen on the left side of the scrotum.ScrotumThe scrotum is a part of a male's body that is located below the penis. The scrotum is the sac (pouch) that contains the testes, epididymis, and the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A varicocele in an older man that appears suddenly may be caused by a kidney tumor, which can block blood flow to a vein.Kidney tumorRenal cell carcinoma is a type of kidney cancer that starts in the lining of very small tubes (tubules) in the kidney.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Symptoms include:Enlarged, twisted veins in the scrotum Dull ache or discomfort Painless testicle lump, scrotal swelling, or bulge in the scrotum Testicle lumpA testicle lump is swelling or a growth (mass) in one or both testicles.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Scrotal swellingScrotal swelling is abnormal enlargement of the scrotum. This is the name for the sac surrounding the testicles.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Possible problems with fertility or decreased sperm countSome men do not have symptoms. Exams and Tests You will have an exam of your groin area, including the scrotum and testicles. Your health care provider may feel a twisted growth along the spermatic cord.Sometimes the growth may not be able to be seen or felt, especially when you are lying down.The testicle on the side of the varicocele may be smaller than the one on the other side.You may also have an ultrasound of the scrotum and testicles, as well as an ultrasound of the kidneys. Treatment A jock strap or snug underwear may help ease discomfort. You may need other treatment if the pain does not go away or you develop other symptoms. Surgery to correct a varicocele is called varicocelectomy. For this procedure:You will receive some form of anesthesia. The urologist (surgeon) will make a cut, most often in the lower abdomen, and tie off the abnormal veins. This directs blood flow in the area to the normal veins. The operation may also be done as a laparoscopic procedure (through small incisions with a camera). You will be able to leave the hospital on the same day as your surgery. You will need to keep an ice pack on the area for the first 24 hours after surgery to reduce swelling.An alternative to surgery is varicocele embolization. For this procedure:A small hollow tube called a catheter (tube) is placed into a vein in your groin or neck area. The provider moves the tube into the varicocele using x-rays as a guide. A tiny coil passes through the tube into the varicocele. The coil blocks blood flow to the abnormal vein and sends it to normal veins. You will need to keep an ice pack on the area to reduce swelling and wear a scrotal support for a little while.This method is also done without an overnight hospital stay. It uses a much smaller cut than surgery, so you will heal faster. Outlook (Prognosis) A varicocele is often harmless and often does not need to be treated, unless there is a change in the size of your testicle or a problem with fertility.If you have surgery, your sperm count will likely increase and it may improve your fertility. In most cases, testicular wasting (atrophy) does not improve unless surgery is done early in adolescence. Possible Complications Infertility is a complication of varicocele.InfertilityInfertility means you cannot get pregnant (conceive). There are 2 types of infertility:Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become preg...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Complications from treatment may include:Atrophic testis Blood clot formation Blood clotBlood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is calle...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infection Injury to the scrotum or nearby blood vessel When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you discover a testicle lump or need to treat a diagnosed varicocele.Testicle lumpA testicle lump is swelling or a growth (mass) in one or both testicles.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesGoldstein M. Surgical management of male infertility. In: Partin AW, Domochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 67.Palmer LS, Palmer JS. Management of abnormalities of the external genitalia in boys. In: Partin AW, Domochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 44.Schlegel PN. Clinical management of male infertility. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 113.Silay MS, Hoen L, Quadackaers J, et al. Treatment of varicocele in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis from the European Association of Urology/European Society for Paediatric Urology Guidelines Panel. Eur Urol. 2019;75(3):448-461. PMID: 30316583 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30316583/.AllVideoImagesTogVaricocele - illustration Incompetent or inadequate valves within the veins along the spermatic cord cause a varicocele. The abnormal valves obstruct normal blood flow causing a backup of blood, resulting in enlargement of the veins. Varicoceles usually develop slowly and usually have no symptoms. Varicoceles are a cause of infertility in men.VaricoceleillustrationMale reproductive system - illustration The male reproductive system, viewed from a sagittal section.Male reproductive systemillustrationVaricocele - illustration Incompetent or inadequate valves within the veins along the spermatic cord cause a varicocele. The abnormal valves obstruct normal blood flow causing a backup of blood, resulting in enlargement of the veins. Varicoceles usually develop slowly and usually have no symptoms. Varicoceles are a cause of infertility in men.VaricoceleillustrationMale reproductive system - illustration The male reproductive system, viewed from a sagittal section.Male reproductive systemillustrationRelated Information Infertility(Condition)Renal cell carcinoma(Condition)Infertility in women - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 7/1/2023 Reviewed By: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 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VaricoceleVaricose veins - scrotumA varicocele is the swelling of the veins inside the scrotum. These veins are found along the cord that holds up a man's testicles (spermatic cord).TesticlesThe testes are 2 egg-shaped male reproductive organs located in the scrotum. They produce sperm and the male hormone, testosterone.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes A varicocele forms when valves inside the veins that run along the spermatic cord prevent blood from flowing properly. Blood backs up, leading to swelling and widening of the veins. (This is similar to varicose veins in the legs.)Varicose veinsVaricose veins are swollen, twisted, and enlarged veins that you can see under the skin. They are often red or blue in color. They most often appea...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Most of the time, varicoceles develop slowly. They are more common in men ages 15 to 25 and are most often seen on the left side of the scrotum.ScrotumThe scrotum is a part of a male's body that is located below the penis. The scrotum is the sac (pouch) that contains the testes, epididymis, and the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A varicocele in an older man that appears suddenly may be caused by a kidney tumor, which can block blood flow to a vein.Kidney tumorRenal cell carcinoma is a type of kidney cancer that starts in the lining of very small tubes (tubules) in the kidney.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Symptoms include:Enlarged, twisted veins in the scrotum Dull ache or discomfort Painless testicle lump, scrotal swelling, or bulge in the scrotum Testicle lumpA testicle lump is swelling or a growth (mass) in one or both testicles.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Scrotal swellingScrotal swelling is abnormal enlargement of the scrotum. This is the name for the sac surrounding the testicles.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Possible problems with fertility or decreased sperm countSome men do not have symptoms. Exams and Tests You will have an exam of your groin area, including the scrotum and testicles. Your health care provider may feel a twisted growth along the spermatic cord.Sometimes the growth may not be able to be seen or felt, especially when you are lying down.The testicle on the side of the varicocele may be smaller than the one on the other side.You may also have an ultrasound of the scrotum and testicles, as well as an ultrasound of the kidneys. Treatment A jock strap or snug underwear may help ease discomfort. You may need other treatment if the pain does not go away or you develop other symptoms. Surgery to correct a varicocele is called varicocelectomy. For this procedure:You will receive some form of anesthesia. The urologist (surgeon) will make a cut, most often in the lower abdomen, and tie off the abnormal veins. This directs blood flow in the area to the normal veins. The operation may also be done as a laparoscopic procedure (through small incisions with a camera). You will be able to leave the hospital on the same day as your surgery. You will need to keep an ice pack on the area for the first 24 hours after surgery to reduce swelling.An alternative to surgery is varicocele embolization. For this procedure:A small hollow tube called a catheter (tube) is placed into a vein in your groin or neck area. The provider moves the tube into the varicocele using x-rays as a guide. A tiny coil passes through the tube into the varicocele. The coil blocks blood flow to the abnormal vein and sends it to normal veins. You will need to keep an ice pack on the area to reduce swelling and wear a scrotal support for a little while.This method is also done without an overnight hospital stay. It uses a much smaller cut than surgery, so you will heal faster. Outlook (Prognosis) A varicocele is often harmless and often does not need to be treated, unless there is a change in the size of your testicle or a problem with fertility.If you have surgery, your sperm count will likely increase and it may improve your fertility. In most cases, testicular wasting (atrophy) does not improve unless surgery is done early in adolescence. Possible Complications Infertility is a complication of varicocele.InfertilityInfertility means you cannot get pregnant (conceive). There are 2 types of infertility:Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become preg...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Complications from treatment may include:Atrophic testis Blood clot formation Blood clotBlood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is calle...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infection Injury to the scrotum or nearby blood vessel When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you discover a testicle lump or need to treat a diagnosed varicocele.Testicle lumpA testicle lump is swelling or a growth (mass) in one or both testicles.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesGoldstein M. Surgical management of male infertility. In: Partin AW, Domochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 67.Palmer LS, Palmer JS. Management of abnormalities of the external genitalia in boys. In: Partin AW, Domochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 44.Schlegel PN. Clinical management of male infertility. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 113.Silay MS, Hoen L, Quadackaers J, et al. Treatment of varicocele in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis from the European Association of Urology/European Society for Paediatric Urology Guidelines Panel. Eur Urol. 2019;75(3):448-461. PMID: 30316583 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30316583/.