Swollen vein in testicle: the 4 symptoms of varicocele (and how to treat it)

Swollen-vein-in-testicle

In this article, we will look at the swollen vein in testicle. It’s a common disease that affects the human scrotum. We’ll take a deep look into the symptoms, the causes, its different levels and the possible treatments.

What is swollen vein in testicle

The disease of swollen vein in testicle is called varicocele. It is similar to varicose veins, and it happens when the veins in the scrotum swell.

Usually the swelling in testicle veins is painless, and this is the reason why many people don’t seek treatment for it. But in some cases, a swollen vein in scrotum can be painful and can even cause male infertility. In this case, it’s better to ask a doctor for a proper treatment. However,  swollen blood vessel in testicle is never life-threatening.

Varicocele

Symptoms and causes of swollen vein in testicle

There are many symptoms related to swollen vein in testicle, along with factors that can cause it to affect a person.

The symptoms

  1. Aching in the scrotum or dull testicular pain.
  2. Testicular atrophy (shrinking in the testicles).
  3. Infertility, represented by the inability to achieve pregnancy even after a year of trying.
  4. A small lump above the affected testicle.

The causes

To this day, doctors and experts are not sure on what causes varicocele to develop.

It is probably caused by a faulty valve inside specific veins in the spermatic cord (the band of tissues that holds the testicles in place). These veins return blood from the testicles to the body, while the valve acts as a sort of switch. When this valve doesn’t work properly, blood may build up inside the veins of the testicles, making them swelling over time.

Swollen vain in testicle: the diagnosis

Varicocele gets diagnosed through a physical examination.

The doctor will perform what is called Valsalva maneuver on the patient. The maneuver consists of holding the patient’s scrotum searching for enlarged veins while the patients holds the breath and strains.

In order to confirm their diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe further tests. These include:

  1. Pelvic ultrasound: a non-invasive imaging test that gives the doctor a detailed view of the testicle’s veins.
  2. Blood test: the doctor uses a tiny needle to withdraw a small blood sample. Then the sample gets send to a lab where technicians will check hormone levels and testosterone.
  3. Semen analysis: for this test, the patient has to release semen into a special container. Then the semen sample gets send to a lab to get examinated. The technician will check the sperm’s general health.

The different levels of varicocele

After undergoing the tests, the doctor will measure the intensity of the patient’s varicocele.

There’s a scale of grades to define the level of the swollen vein:

  1. Grade 0: the smallest type of varicocele. It can’t be felt during the physical exam, but it’s  to detect it through ultrasound.
  2. Grade 1: the varicocele can’t be seen, but the doctor can feel it while performing the Valsalva maneuver.
  3. Grade 2: The doctor can feel the varicocele even when they’re not performing the Valsalva maneuver, but it’s still not visible.
  4. Grade 3: the largest varicocele. It’s clearly visible and it’s easy to feel it.

Treatment for varicocele

The treatment for varicocele varies depending on its level. For the lowest levels the doctor can recommend at-home treatments, while the highest levels may require a surgical operation.

Low-grade treatments

For the lowest levels of varicocele the patient may not need any treatment, especially if the disease doesn’t cause fertility issues.

The treatments for a low-grade swollen vein in testicle usually include:

  1. Changes to the daily routine: avoid activities that cause discomfort; wear better fitting underwear.
  2. Applying ice or cold packs to the scrotum to relieve pain and discomfort. The ice must not be applied directly to the skin, it’s better to wrap it  towel first. The ice must not be applied for more than 15 minutes a time.
  3. Over-the-counter medications: specific OTC medication can be useful for swollen testicle veins. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but not everybody can take them, so it’s better to ask a doctor first.

High-grade treatments

As we, already mentioned, the main treatment for the highest grades of swollen veins is surgery.

The most common operation is varicocelectomy. The surgeon cuts the affected veins and seals off the ends. Thanks to this operation, the blood flow is redirected to other healthy veins of the scrotum.

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