Varicoceles can exist on both sides at the same time, but this is rare. About 10 to 15 boys out of 100 have a varicocele. Most of the time, varicoceles cause no problems and are harmless. Less often varicoceles can cause pain, problems fathering a child, or one testicle to grow slower or shrink.
Similarly, Is bilateral varicocele treatable?
Varicocele treatment might not be necessary. Many men with varicoceles are able to father a child without any treatment. However, if your varicocele causes pain, testicular atrophy or infertility or if you are considering assisted reproductive techniques, you might want to undergo varicocele repair.
Additionally, What is bilateral varicocele grade1? Diagnosis. There are three grades of varicocele: Grade 1: The smallest type, this is not visible, but a physician can feel it if they use a Valsalva maneuver. Grade 2: This is not visible, but it can be felt without a Valsalva maneuver. Grade 3: The varicocele is visible.
Can varicocele be on the right side?
Isolated varicoceles occur on the right side only in rare cases. Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of unilateral right-sided varicoceles (URVs) in only 1.5%–3% of affected patients [4], [10].
Can left varicocele cause right varicocele?
Left testicle pain is one of the most common symptoms of a varicocele. In rare cases, though, you may experience a varicocele on the right side.
Can varicocele be cured completely?
The good news is that varicoceles are treatable. Dozens of reports have been published demonstrating the benefit of varicocele surgery to improve sperm counts. Yet, varicocele repair remains controversial, particularly for small varicoceles that cannot be seen or felt on a physical exam.
Is surgery required for grade 2 varicocele?
Varicocele treatment may not be required unless an individual is impacted by low sperm count and suffers from infertility for at least two years. However, if varicocele causes persistent pain, surgery becomes unavoidable.
Is it advisable to do varicocele surgery?
Outlook. Varicocelectomy is a safe procedure that has a high chance of improving your fertility and reducing complications of blocked blood flow into your reproductive organs. As with any surgery, there are some risks, and this procedure may not be able to fully restore your fertility.
Does Grade 1 varicocele affect fertility?
Even men with grade 1 varicocele have a sperm count about 20% lower than men without the condition. “Many of the men with varicocele — about 55% — had semen quality that would indicate a risk of increased time to pregnancy or even infertility,” Dr Joensen reported.
What are grades in varicocele?
Varicoceles can be classified as Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3 varicoceles. Grade 1 and 2 varicoceles are not visible but can be detected during a physical examination by the doctor, while a Grade 3 varicocele easily identifiable. Depending on the grade of varicocele present, some individuals may not require treatment.
What is the best treatment for varicocele?
Open surgical ligation, performed by a urologist, is the most common treatment for symptomatic varicoceles. Varicocele embolization, a nonsurgical treatment performed by an interventional radiologist, is as effective as surgery with less risk, less pain and less recovery time.
Why are left sided varicocele more common?
Varicoceles are more common on the left for anatomical reasons: The angle at which the left testicular vein enters the left renal vein. Lack of effective valves between the testicular and renal veins. Increased reflux from compression of the renal vein (between the superior mesenteric artery and aorta).
What can cause a right sided varicocele?
The etiology of a right-sided varicocele includes impairment of the venous drainage of the pampiniform plexus by venous thrombosis, tumor invasion, or extrinsic compression by an intraabdominal tumor [3].
Why is left sided varicocele more common?
Varicoceles are more common on the left for anatomical reasons: The angle at which the left testicular vein enters the left renal vein. Lack of effective valves between the testicular and renal veins. Increased reflux from compression of the renal vein (between the superior mesenteric artery and aorta).
What happens if varicocele is left untreated?
Left untreated, they can cause testicular atrophy (shrinkage of the testicles). There is also a strong association between varicoceles and male infertility. Varicoceles have been linked with decreases in sperm count and motility and increases in the number of deformed and ineffective sperm.
Can you fix varicocele without surgery?
Varicocele embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that is an effective alternative to surgery for the treatment of varicocele. The procedure can be carried out with only a small incision or nick in the skin and it does not require any sutures.
How long does varicocele take to heal?
Your scrotum and groin may be bruised and swollen. This will go away in 3 to 4 weeks. You will probably be able to return to work or your normal routine in 2 to 3 days after microscopic surgery, depending on your job.
Can a man with varicocele father a child?
Some men with varicoceles have no trouble fathering children, while others experience reduced sperm count or limited motility (sperm movement, which makes it difficult for sperm to fertilize an egg).
Is Grade 2 a varicocele?
There are three grades of varicocele: Grade 1: The smallest type, this is not visible, but a physician can feel it if they use a Valsalva maneuver. Grade 2: This is not visible, but it can be felt without a Valsalva maneuver. Grade 3: The varicocele is visible.
Does grade 3 varicocele require surgery?
Conclusion: In patients with grade 3 varicocele, microsurgery and naked eye surgical methods proved similar results in terms of success and complications. Because the operation time of the classical varicocelectomy is significantly shorter, it may be preferred in this subset of patients.
Can a Grade 1 varicocele cause infertility?
Even men with grade 1 varicocele have a sperm count about 20% lower than men without the condition. “Many of the men with varicocele — about 55% — had semen quality that would indicate a risk of increased time to pregnancy or even infertility,” Dr Joensen reported.
Which surgery is better for varicocele?
Surgical correction is the most commonly performed technique to treat varicoceles with a technical failure rate of less than 5%. An attractive alternative to surgery is the selective catheterization and embolization of the gonadal vein.
Which is best treatment for varicocele?
Open surgical ligation, performed by a urologist, is the most common treatment for symptomatic varicoceles. Varicocele embolization, a nonsurgical treatment performed by an interventional radiologist, is as effective as surgery with less risk, less pain and less recovery time.
How long does varicocele surgery last?
Varicocelectomy Surgery Time
The surgery lasts about 30 minutes per side so that a right and left varicocelectomy should take about 1 hour of operating time. This procedure is typically performed as outpatient.