Frequently Asked Questions About Varicocele and Varicocele Treatment

Things to Know Briefly About "What is Varicocele, Is There a Cure?"

• Varicocele is a disease that can affect the sperm production process and cause infertility in men.

• It is known that the incidence rate of varicocele in infertile men is around 40%.

• Varicocele is usually seen in the left testicle; the main reason for this is the angle at which blood vessels in the body connect to each other.

• The most effective method among varicocele treatment methods, accepted as the gold standard, is microsurgical varicocele surgery.

• In some patients, the diagnosis can be made only by physical examination. For a definitive varicocele diagnosis, Scrotal Color Doppler Ultrasonography provides important data.

• Varicocele does not always result in infertility. However, the return of deoxygenated (dirty) blood and harmful agents to the testes due to varicose veins and the rise in testicular temperature can result in deterioration of sperm quality and a decrease in testosterone (male hormone) release. Sexual dysfunctions may occur as a result of testosterone reduction.

• Microsurgical varicocele surgery is recommended for patients experiencing sexual dysfunctions due to pain, infertility, and low testosterone. For people who do not want to have children and do not experience complaints related to varicocele, surgery is not considered a necessity.

What Are the Symptoms of Varicocele?

The symptoms of varicocele disease and the severity of these symptoms may vary from patient to patient. Although it cannot be generalized that every patient will experience varicocele symptoms, the answers to the question "What are the most common varicocele symptoms?" can be listed as follows:

• Decrease in sperm quality

• Dilation (enlargement) in the veins surrounding the scrotum

• Differentiation in testicular size (atrophy in the testicle or testicles affected by varicocele)

• Pain in the testes and groin area

• Complaints related to the decrease in testosterone

What Are the Factors That Increase Varicocele Risk?

Although the exact cause of varicocele disease is unknown, it is accepted that some risk factors trigger varicocele formation. Generally, the risk of varicocele disease increases in people who stand for a long time, are exposed to high heat, are overweight (obesity), and have impaired vascular health. The decrease in sperm values due to varicocele disease can increase the frequency of infertility for this patient group.

How is Varicocele Diagnosed?

First, the history of men who feel varicocele symptoms or cannot have children is listened to, a standard physical examination is performed, and information about sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology is obtained via spermiogram (semen analysis). During the diagnosis of varicocele disease, the most definitive results can be reached with Scrotal Color Doppler Ultrasonography.

How is Varicocele Treated?

It is accepted by medical circles that the gold standard in the treatment of men who experience severe testicular pain complaints due to varicocele, want to have children, or face various symptoms due to the decrease in testosterone levels caused by varicocele is microsurgical varicocele surgery.

Microsurgical Varicocelectomy, which allows for comprehensive imaging and closing (ligation) of veins that are already varicose or have the potential to become varicose in the future, is completed in approximately 40 minutes. The incision is made from the inguinal (groin) region. General or spinal anesthesia can be applied; the anesthesia method is decided by the physician and the patient.

Does Varicocele Heal Completely?

With microsurgical varicocele surgery, both varicose veins and veins with the potential to become varicose are closed. In the post-operative period, varicocele heals completely. Immediately after the surgery, vitamin and mineral supplements are started, and patients' sperm values are checked every 3 months.

Although varicocele can heal completely, the fact that it is ultimately a vascular disease should not be ignored. Therefore, lifestyle habits such as healthy eating, maintaining weight control, quitting smoking, and regular exercise must be acquired.

Should Supplements Be Used After Varicocele Surgery?

Yes, vitamin supplements are quickly offered to patients undergoing varicocele operation, aiming to increase their sperm values. Using supplements alone is not enough for varicocele surgery to be successful; the patient must also adopt healthier lifestyle habits. Men who quit smoking, exercise regularly according to their general health status, and pay attention to their nutrition after varicocele surgery feel the effect of the operation and post-operative supplements in a shorter time.

Should Varicocele Always Be Treated?

Frankly, I do not find the statement 'Varicocele disease treatment is mandatory' to be correct. I focus on certain criteria when determining the need for surgery during the interviews we hold with my patients diagnosed with varicocele.

I emphasize the need for surgery if:

1. Testicular pain, which increases its effect in advanced levels of varicocele, turns my patients' lives into a nightmare,

2. My patients' sperm values have dropped due to varicocele and they have a desire to have children,

3. Varicocele causes low testosterone and increases my patients' complaints related to testosterone deficiency.

Can Those Who Have Varicocele Surgery Have Children?

Patients can experience a serious rise in sperm values after varicocele surgery if they develop healthy lifestyle habits and do not disrupt supplement use. However, it is still not correct to guarantee that those who have varicocele surgery will have children, or more accurately, will have children naturally.

At this point, I can only share with you that there is happy news from my patients who had children after the varicocele surgery I performed, and you can see pictures of happiness on my social media account from time to time.