Varicose veins of the spermatic cord is a common male pathology, the medical name of which is varicocele. Statistics show that up to 15% of the stronger sex faces such a problem. Varicocele is a hidden threat to men's he alth. Treatment cannot be delayed.
Description of the pathological process
Varicose veins of the spermatic cord in itself does not cause discomfort to the patient and does not pose a threat to life. However, complications that can lead to a restriction of a full life can still develop. So, varicocele of the 2nd degree on the left or on the right often leads to infertility. But the disease can also develop in young men who have not yet had time to start a family.
The problem is that varicocele can be detected in young men. Statistics show that up to 19% of adolescents suffer from the disease in one form or another. Often enoughpathology does not manifest itself in any way, and patients do not seek help. It is possible to identify the disease during a medical examination before military service.
The anatomical systems of the testis on the left and right are different. In this regard, varicocele on the left is more often detected. The disease goes through several stages of development. At the initial stage, even an experienced doctor with the help of palpation will not always be able to determine the problem. It is possible to suspect violations only with the help of instrumental research. If you can feel the expansion of the veins only in a standing position, they talk about the development of a varicocele of the 1st degree. Treatment should begin immediately if the veins are palpable both in the supine position and in the standing position. Most often, a varicocele of the 2nd degree develops on the left. If the veins are visible to the naked eye, they talk about the 3rd degree of the pathological process.
Why does a varicocele develop?
Venous valves are a special element of the human circulatory system. With their help, the reverse blood flow decreases with increased stress (physical activity, vertical position, etc.). The main cause of varicocele in most cases is a malfunction of the venous valves. This element cannot cope with the increasing pressure during the load. As a result, varicose veins are formed.
In patients at a young age, against the background of insufficiency of the connective tissue that forms the venous wall, a varicocele of the 2nd degree may develop on the right or left. The operation in this case will help restore the condition of the vein, reduce the risk of complications. Great importancealso has underdevelopment of the inferior vena cava even in the prenatal period. This pathology also almost always leads to the development of grade 2 varicocele in a teenager (left or right).
In adult patients, the disease most often provokes increased intra-abdominal pressure from prolonged tension of the anterior abdominal wall. The disease often develops against the background of prolonged constipation, excessive physical activity, as a result of a constant stay in an upright position. Varicocele often develops in loaders, athletes, military personnel.
Prior and comorbidities
Varicocele 2 degrees (left or right - not so important) may not bother the patient for a long time. Pain often develops after a man or teenager has an underlying medical condition. Moreover, varicose veins of the spermatic cord may worsen.
Cryptorchidism is a congenital anomaly in which, at the time of birth, a male infant is missing one or both testicles in the scrotum. There is a delay in the passage of the organ through the inguinal canal from the retroperitoneal space. Provoke the development of pathology can hormonal imbalance in the expectant mother, bad habits, endocrine disorders. Significantly increases the likelihood of cryptorchidism if the boy is born prematurely. These children are more likely to develop varicocele in the future.
In adolescence or adulthood, the progression of pathology can be observed against the background of orchitis. This is an inflammatory disease of the testicles, which is manifested by severe pain in the scrotum, radiating to the groin. Orchitis develops on its own quite rarely (only in 5% of cases). Most often, this is a complication of other infectious processes in the body. Pathogenic microflora enters the testicle by the hematogenous route (with blood flow).
Incorrect treatment of orchitis leads to the transition of the disease into a chronic form. This pathology is often accompanied by varicose veins of the spermatic cord on the right or left.
Varicocele of the 2nd degree is quite often detected in men against the background of sexually transmitted diseases. The patient seeks help from a urologist with unpleasant symptoms. Most often, there are complaints of pain in the inguinal region, problems with urination, redness of the urethra, and purulent discharge. In the process of a thorough examination, the doctor also detects varicose veins of the spermatic cord.
In rare cases, a secondary varicocele develops due to kidney disease, diabetes, and other endocrine disorders.
Manifestations of disease
Signs of a pathological process depend on its degree. At the initial stage, there are no signs at all. It is possible to identify pathology only during a preventive examination. If the disease was not detected in a timely manner, it gradually progresses.
Left 2nd degree varicocele in men or adolescents can already cause discomfort. Patients complain of the appearance of pain in the scrotum, most often manifested with excessive physical exertion,long walk or run. Some representatives of the stronger sex complain of the periodic appearance of sharp pain. At the same time, many decide that they had to face a neurological disorder. It can also lead to a violation of the sexual function of a varicocele of the 2nd degree. Treatment will allow the patient to return to full sexual activity, relieve other unpleasant complications.
Some patients complain about the appearance of non-standard symptoms - for example, a burning sensation in the area of varicose veins. On the affected side, the testicle descends, asymmetry is observed.
If you do not promptly treat varicocele of the 2nd degree on the left (as well as on the right), the disease progresses rapidly. At grade 3 varicose veins, the relationship between exercise and pain disappears. The patient begins to feel discomfort almost always. Sharp fights can also appear at night, at rest. The asymmetry of the scrotum becomes pronounced. On examination, even without specific instruments, large clusters of veins are visible.
Diagnosis of varicocele
For a qualified phlebologist, making the correct diagnosis is not difficult. Even during a simple examination, a grade 2 varicocele can be detected on the right or left. Is surgery necessary in this case? It all depends on the factors that provoked varicose veins. If the varicocele is secondary, the underlying pathology is initially treated, and normal blood flow is restored. To determine the circumstances of the development of the disease, the patient is interviewed.
Palpatory examination for varicocele must be performed in the supine and sitting position. Only in this way can the doctor determine the degree of the pathological process. Diseases that cause secondary expansion of the veins of the spermatic cord are determined using ultrasound, CT or MRI. Adult patients are required to prescribe a spermogram. Often, with varicocele, reduced sperm activity is detected.
Treatment of disease
Therapy of the initial stage of the pathological process is carried out in a conservative way. It is possible to restore the condition of the veins by reducing stagnation in the small pelvis. The patient needs to reconsider his lifestyle, start moving more, get rid of extra pounds. Excessive physical activity is contraindicated. Particular attention must be paid to nutrition. It is necessary to refuse products that cause constipation (fast food, convenience foods, canned food).
Elderly patients with an initial stage of varicocele may be prescribed to wear a suspensorium. This is a special support bandage for the scrotum. In this way, it is possible to stop the further development of varicose veins.
Surgical treatment of disease
Varicocele grade 2 with ileofemoral shedding (left or right) is a reason for surgery. Only surgical therapy is carried out and with 3 degrees of the pathological process. There may be other indications for surgery: testicular growth retardation during puberty, pain syndrome. Surgical intervention may also be indicated if the patient feels well, but the quality of his sperm is significantly reduced. Surgery in this case is the only way to avoid infertility.
Treatment of grade 2 varicocele on the left can be done in several ways. The operation is almost always performed under general anesthesia. Varicocele embolization is the most effective method. An artificial occlusion of the dilated vein is performed. With the help of special equipment, an x-ray substance is introduced into the lumen of the vessel. Next, the site of the lesion is detected, the vein is “pulled up”. Such an operation is considered high-tech and is performed only in modern medical clinics.
In public institutions, classical excision of the affected veins is most often performed. The intervention is performed endoscopically through three incisions in the abdominal cavity. The testicular vein is ligated and excised. This technique can significantly reduce the likelihood of recurrence of varicocele.
If a high risk of recurrence remains, microsurgical testicular revascularization is performed. With such an intervention, the affected veins are completely removed, and then restored by plastic surgery. Almost immediately after the operation, normal blood flow is restored in the testicle. Plus - the complete elimination of relapse. Minus - the high complexity of surgical intervention. The patient needs to stay in the hospital for at least a week.
Folk treatments for disease
People with this diagnosisthey are interested in whether it is possible to cure without surgery, on their own, varicocele of the 2nd degree on the left. The consequences of home therapy can be deplorable. However, immediately after the intervention, or if the pathology is at the initial stage of development, it is quite possible to stop its progression with the help of traditional medicine recipes. In this case, consultation with a specialist is required.
Excellent restores blood flow and prevents the development of varicose veins horse chestnut. You can buy ready-made tincture and apply it according to the instructions. High-quality medicine can be prepared at home. To do this, 50 g of fresh chestnut skins are poured into 500 ml of vodka. The remedy should be infused in a cold dark place for two weeks. The finished medicine is taken 30 drops during meals. The course of therapy - 4 weeks.
Good results, according to the reviews, shows an ointment based on St. John's wort. Fresh grass is crushed and mixed with any vegetable oil in a ratio of 1:10. The mixture must be kept in a water bath for 3 hours and insist another 6 hours. Then the ointment is filtered and used to treat the affected veins.
Varicocele 2 degrees on the left and the army
Very interesting question. Many people believe that a history of grade 2 varicocele (left or right, it doesn't matter) makes it possible to avoid military service. It is impossible to be sure that varicose veins will save you from the army. The decision is made individually in each case. The factors that provoke diseases are important, as well asfeatures of the body of a young person. If a man is he althy after surgical treatment, he is not released from service.
Possible Complications
If therapy is not started in time, the disease will progress. As a result, severe pain will appear, and the risk of blood clots will increase. Patients with grade 3 varicocele cannot have a full sexual life, do not have the opportunity to know the joy of fatherhood.
Surgical treatment will avoid complications. However, unpleasant consequences are possible after surgery. Some patients may develop relapses or testicular dropsy. There remains a risk of oncological complications. Patients who have already experienced a varicocele once should visit a doctor regularly for preventive examinations. Varicose veins of the spermatic cord are easily eliminated if diagnosed in a timely manner. Periodically it is recommended to visit a urologist and in the absence of any complaints.
