Patient's question:
I am a taxi driver and have been sitting in a small space for a long time, lacking in activity. Recently, I noticed some pain in my testicles, and they seem to be of different heights. Looking at the symptoms, I did some research and suspect it might be varicocele. Could you please tell me: What are the common treatments for varicocele?Doctor's answer:
Varicocele is a common disease among young and middle-aged men. It is a pathological phenomenon where the pampiniform plexus of the spermatic cord becomes dilated, tortuous, and elongated due to various reasons leading to impaired venous drainage. It most commonly occurs on the left side, but can also occur on the right or bilaterally. In clinical diagnosis, many patients with varicocele are found to have oligospermia, azoospermia, or impaired fertility. For more severe varicocele, where sperm counts remain below 20 million after three consecutive tests or there is testicular atrophy, and the varicose veins disappear when lying down, it is recommended to undergo high ligation of the spermatic vein. Varicocele is prone to recurrence, and long-term medication is often required.