Patient's question:
My friend went for a military physical examination and was found to have varicocele after a thorough check-up. Based on the symptoms he described, I realized I also have similar symptoms: my left testicle is slightly larger than my right, and when gently pressed, I noticed a cluster of blood vessels in my left testicle. Is this related to sitting for long periods during high school? Does varicocele affect fertility, and can surgery completely cure it? When is the best time to have surgery? I'm 20 years old and feeling quite upset.Doctor's answer:
Varicocele is caused by factors such as prolonged standing and increased intra-abdominal pressure, leading to damage to the pampiniform plexus valves and venous reflux. Therefore, it is recommended that you visit the urology department of a hospital to undergo a color Doppler ultrasound examination to assess the degree of varicocele. Generally, surgery is considered if the varicocele is greater than 2.4 cm. For patients with varicocele, timely treatment can reduce the risk of complications. If left untreated, it may affect overall health.