Guys I have a varicocele..........

I thought long and hard about posting this. But, fuck it. It might help others and maybe someone can learn or benefit from this.

I have a large varicocele on the left side of my nut sac. No, PE didn’t cause, its something I always have had for a while, but ignored it.

If you don’t know what a varicocele is just run a search on google and read as it would save me the time from typing up a complete definition etc.

In short, a varicocele is a varicose vein of the spermatic veins. It greatly affects ones sperm count. As I am not currently trying to have children, and am still young (25). It would suit me best to fix this situation now.

Does anyone have any experience with this or know anything about this?

To sum it up, if you don’t perform regular self checks on your body you should, and if you see something wrong or even think there is something wrong go to the doctor and do something about it. Also, get regular check ups.

That’s all I have to say about it right now. Feel free to ask questions or offer comments.

BBS;

That’s a bummer. But get it handled even though having kids is not a priority right now.

My impression from reading about these from time to time is that varicocelectomy gives a higher percentage of fertility than more conservative measures but check this out with your doctors.

You won’t be lifting any boulders for awhile post-treatment, but recovery is pretty quick.

Thanks for posting about your situation. Even though we don’t hear much about them (varicoceles are not a subject guys bring up when having a beer with buddies), they’re not uncommon events and men need to be more aware of what they are and how to detect them.

We usually associate “varicose” anything with aging but that is not the case with these. The average age of men going for treatment is about 34 and many varicoceles are not discovered until after multiple failures at trying to have a baby.

If you have any tips as to symptoms or how you discovered yours, please share them. It’s OK now. You’re out of the varicocele closet.

BBS,

I am sorry to hear about your condition but to reiterate what Avocet said, get it taken care of now. I have a few questions for you though. Does it hurt? Which side is it on? How enlarged are the veins? The reason I ask the last question is that I have some unpainful inlarged veins just below and to the left of my penis connected to my left testicle. They also feel kind of numb. Are there any similarities to your condition? BTW, I am 25 as well and I want to thank you for bringing this to the board to educate others. Thanks and you’ll get through this. BC

It does not hurt at all. It is mainly on the left side, and it is fairly obvious. It feels like a large sack of worms, or spaghetti which is generally the best way to describe it. However, there are different sizes. Since mine is noticeable I was able to realize I had one. But I was reading that smaller sizes might not be able to detect.

Varicoceles are supposedly quite common among men. They are more likely to occur on the left side, due to that side hang lower, therefore the veins are longer.

There are some very good links on Google

Just type in "varicocele".

Avocet8,

Thanks for the support. As far as any tips to self-diagnosis. Just feel around the area between your balls and dick. You should not feel any large "pipes" in that area.

BIg Cat,

Not to sound negative or morbid in anyway, but yours sounds very similar to mine! Mine doesn’t hurt at all. Does it feel like a "bag of worms" or "spaghetti"?? I suggest you go see a urologist!! Don’t make the mistake and wait like I did. I’ve had mine for a long time and it has gotten bigger!!

There are a few options (3) for treating them. I will keep you guys posted, as I am not a big fan of invasive surgery. I will make my decision in the next few days but I am getting this taken care of immediately!!

BBS,

Follow the advice and get it checked out.

Big Cat,

Do the same, go get it checked out.

Avocet

Good advice.

Now, here is some of my own. As most of you are aware self examinations are vital!!!! I do self exams of the breast every month and I encourage the men (I have male children) in my life to do the same with their testicles. Testicular cancer can be detected very early if you guys will just check things out carefully. Ask your urologist about how to do it, or ask your family doctor about how to do it. The point is DO IT, the life you save may very well be your own.

I’ve already had it checked out. Thats how I know its there and what it is.

I’ve talked it over with my urologist and I’m going to have the varicocele embolization treatment. It is the less invasive and the recovery is fairly quick.

Althoguh, I am pretty against surgery, needles, and drugs I really couldn’t find anything out there on how to treat this thing using homeopathic, osteopathic, or naturopathic methods…Anybody know anything???

I’m having the procedure done next Friday by an intervenal radiologist. It is non-traumatic, very non-invasive, and the recovery is fairly quick (like the same day). This seems way better than going through surgery. I will even be awake the whole time.

I will keep you guys posted and tell you how it goes next week.

later.

I had the procedure on friday morning, chekced out the hospital same day..I was a little sore at the site, but now i am pretty much 100%. I have a follow up appointment with the urologist in two weeks. I will keep you guys posted. All in all, the doctor said it was a success!

Congratulations!

BBS, we are pleased that you have such good news to report! Glad it worked out so well. Hope you will have no further issues with this. We men are typically way slow to go to doctors and seek treatment. You did the right thing going in. Please, keep us posted.

bigjack

Thanks for being supportive…

BigJ,

You know it’s funny you should say that..I’ve known about this thing for quite awhile now…years in fact, if I would have started sooner, it probably could haev been handled smoother. Anyways, learn from my lesson, don’t be afraid to go the doctor everyone, and get check-ups, etc….

Later

bbs;

Glad it all worked out so well.

Even a decade ago, this operation did not offer great odds for success (about 50 %) and required an uncomfortable recovery period. Now, though, experienced surgeons get very high rates of success.

It must be a relief to have this resolved. Good going.

I read somewhere the success rate is 95% for varicocele surgery. I still don’t like the 5% that don’t get a successful surgery though :P

hey BigBlack

What happened man you never told is if it went good or what? Im getting the same thing done pretty soon and am very curious to know how you have made out. Also could you return to P.E. after the embolization?