Is enlarged varicocele serious? How can it be treated?

Varicocele is a common disease among many men, but many men ignore it. So is it serious? What are the general treatments? Let's take a look.

Clinically, varicocele can be divided into three degrees:

Grade 1 (mild): When standing, you cannot see varicose veins on the scrotal skin, but you can feel the varicose veins in the scrotum. The varicose veins disappear quickly when lying flat. Grade 2 (moderate): When standing, you can see the dilated veins on the scrotum, and you can feel the more obvious varicose veins in the scrotum. The mass disappears gradually when lying flat. Grade 3 (severe): There are obvious thick blood vessels on the surface of the scrotum, and there are obvious earthworm-like dilated veins in the scrotum. The venous wall is thickened and hardened; it disappears slowly when lying flat. For secondary varicocele, the abdomen should be examined and pyelography should be performed to exclude renal tumors. If not treated in time, it will cause male infertility and male sexual dysfunction.

Principles of treatment of varicocele:

1. Mild varicocele without symptoms does not require treatment.

2. Non-surgical treatment: Severe varicocele or neurasthenia can be treated by scrotal support, cold compress, etc.

3. Surgery: For more severe varicocele, sperm count below 20 million for three consecutive times or testicular atrophy; if the varicose vein disappears when lying down, high varicocele ligation can be performed.