DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Urologic Condition

Varicocele

LOW SEVERITY

Enlargement of the veins within the loose bag of skin holding the testicles (scrotum), similar to varicose veins in legs. Occurs in 15% of men, most commonly on left side due to venous anatomy. Leading cause of correctable male infertility.

Global Affected

120.0M

Countries

111

Symptoms

Dull aching pain in scrotum
Heaviness in testicle
Visible enlarged veins (bag of worms)
Worse when standing or straining
Better when lying down
Testicular atrophy (shrinkage)
Infertility
Asymptomatic (common)

Treatment Options

Observation (asymptomatic, no fertility issues)
Scrotal support
Over-the-counter pain relievers
Open varicocelectomy
Microsurgical varicocelectomy
Laparoscopic varicocelectomy
Percutaneous embolization

Risk Factors

1Age 15-25 (most common)
2Left-sided (90% of cases)
3Tall/thin body type
4Family history
5Previous varicocele

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Physical examination (standing/supine)
  • 2Valsalva maneuver
  • 3Scrotal ultrasound with Doppler
  • 4Semen analysis (fertility evaluation)
  • 5Hormone testing (testosterone, FSH, LH)
  • 6Venography (pre-embolization)

Prognosis

Excellent with treatment. Surgery improves semen parameters in 60-80% of men. Pregnancy rates improve in 40-60% of couples. Pain relief in 90%+. Microsurgical technique has best outcomes. Recurrence rare (<2%). Normal activities resume within 1-2 weeks.

Prevention

  • No known prevention
  • Regular testicular self-exams
  • Scrotal support during heavy activity

Research Status

Surgical repair (varicocelectomy) is standard treatment for symptomatic or fertility-related cases. Approaches: open (inguinal/subinguinal), laparoscopic, microsurgical (gold standard). Embolization by interventional radiology. Microsurgical technique has lowest recurrence (<2%) and complication rates.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilRussiaSwedenNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkNorwayFinlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesSouth AfricaNigeriaEgyptTurkeyIranSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOmanJordanLebanonSyriaYemenIraqAfghanistanPakistanBangladeshLKNPMMKHLAMNKazakhstanUzbekistanTMKGTJAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMEMKSerbiaXKMexicoArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicCuba

Sources

  • https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/varicoceles
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/varicocele/symptoms-causes/syc-20378771
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.