Varicocele very often does not produce any notable symptoms in the initial stages of its development. But as this condition advances, it may develop many symptoms for a man, such as:

Varicocele: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

A varicocele is a swelling in the veins of the scrotum due to the reflux in the testicular veins, a condition which, although resembling the varicose veins, is commonly observed in the lower limbs. Varicoceles can arise at any age; however, they most often occur between ages 15 and 25 years. Sometimes, men will not notice a varicocele, whereas it may bring along discomfort and cause infertility issues or other related problems in other cases, necessitating an immediate need for the varicocele natural treatment.

Symptoms of Varicocele

Varicocele very often does not produce any notable symptoms in the initial stages of its development. But as this condition advances, it may develop many symptoms for a man, such as:

• Scrotal swelling: One of the earliest visible symptoms is that of scrotal swelling, which can be identified as "a bag of worms." It results from swollen veins in the scrotum.
• Pain or discomfort in the scrotum: The pain tends to worsen after prolonged standing or exercise, and it often subsides when lying down.
• Infertility: The most worrisome symptom is the loss of fertility. Varicoceles can impair sperm production and quality, leading to difficulty conceiving.
• Testicular atrophy: The affected testicle may shrink over time, which is commonly seen in long-standing varicocele.

Diagnosis of Varicocele

In itself, the diagnosis of varicocele is not really problematic. Indeed, a clinician may, when a patient stands upright, even without further laboratory aids, inspect if there are bulges on his scrotal veins during that examination. Still, a clinical ultrasound confirmation to evaluate vein dilation as well as analyze blood circulation flow within the scrotum would be taken when needed. An ultrasound is very helpful in identifying varicoceles that are not easily seen during a physical examination, especially when the veins are not as swollen.

Varicocele Grades and Treatment

Varicoceles are graded from 1 to 3 based on the size of the veins and how easily they can be detected. Knowing the grade of varicocele helps in determining the varicocele treatment without surgery:

• Grade 1: Small varicoceles, which can only be diagnosed during the performance of the Valsalva maneuver. In most cases, patients are asymptomatic and need no treatment.
• Grade 2: Medium varicoceles, which are diagnosed by feeling. Symptoms are associated with it, such as a sense of discomfort and low fertility, but still not required to be treated surgically.
• Grade 3: Large varicoceles that are easily visible and palpable. These cases often lead to pain and significant fertility concerns and usually require surgical intervention.

Treatment options depend on the grade and severity of the varicocele. For mild cases where the varicocele doesn't cause significant symptoms, the doctor may recommend watchful waiting. However, for moderate to severe cases, the best varicocele treatment options include the following:

• Varicocelectomy is one of the common surgical procedures in treating varicoceles. The surgeon will tie off the enlarged veins and redirect the blood flow to the healthier veins. This usually decreases the symptoms and increases the fertility.
• Laparoscopic surgery is another minimally invasive technique in which a camera and small incisions guide the surgeon. The patient has fewer complications, discomfort, and quick recovery than the open surgery.
• Percutaneous Embolization is a non-surgical procedure in which a catheter is inserted into the vein to block the blood supply to the varicocele. It is not as invasive as surgery and might be an alternative for some patients.

However, it is also crucial to mention that the above-discussed treatment options do come with a lot of side effects and adverse reactions. Therefore, we notice an increasing inclination towards alternate treatment options that cure varicocele without surgery, like homeopathy.