I have been aware of a large mass around 2cm in size amongst the vanes of my left testicle since around the age of 14. I am now 21 and the 'extra testicular' lump is still there and has recently become accompanied by a smaller softer lump higher in the scrotum, coupled with an aching and generally uncomfortable feeling. This prompted me to visit my GP*, and I was sent for an ultrasound examination. I was told that the large mass was a varicocele and the smaller softer lump was filled with fluid which formed as a result of the generally poor circulation around the testicle. However, I was not told of the ways in which this may influence my fertility in the future, and I'm worried that the longer I leave it to have the vanes repaired, the lower the chances of successfully restoring testicular function.
I would like to hear from anyone who has had the surgery to repair such a problem, and why the surgery was necessary.
*I was very embarrassed about going to see the doctor about such an issue and put off the visit and worried about the lump for almost 7 years. In hindsight, I wish I had gone to my GP sooner. The doctor was fantastic and it wasn't embarrassing in the slightest. The ultrasound took 2 minutes at most and it settled 7 years of worry about what the lump may be there and then.
I had a varicocele about 20 years ago (aged 20) and had it operated on , general discomfort cause me to see my doctor. He mentioned the possibility of reduced fertility and I did a before and after test to see if I was fertile - all OK. The op was pretty painless and consisted of a small cut in the lower stomach (ie nowhere near your nuts guys!!) a bit like an apendix scar (but mine was on the left)...they went in an tied off the offending veins which then wither and die back.
Now 41 my varicocele has returned along with a cyst and a small hydrocele , just to complete the set!
Fertility is not an issue for me so its all about the general discomfort and making sure its not \"C\". Probably going to need another op to sort the cyst and hydrocele which this time will be a cut to the nuts! Have not yet got the final solution from the doc to see if all 3 can be sorted together , and to see if medical sceince has moved on much in 20yrs on the varicocele solution!
I had been suffering from Varicoceles for over 3 years. It got to the point where i could not stand the pain any longer.
My work involves sitting at computers, so it was either change my career or try and get it sorted.
I had a couple of ultrasounds scans and confirmed what i had and was referred to hospital and had surgery what is known as a \"Varicocele Embrolisation\" (or \"Varicocele Embrolization\" in american spelling)
A painless procedure (although i did have some discomfort due to my vein going into spasm)
It procedure involves a small cable pushed into the groin opposite into your renal vein which then guided a catheter into the testicles where small coils are dropped into place where the blood hardens and blocks the offending vein.
See here for a diagram: http://www.varicoceles.com/treatment.htm
I certainly recommend it.. its a doddle of a procedure. I went into hospital at 9am and was out at 1pm. Took a few days rest to let things heal and I am now 95% healed. I do not get much pain.. maybe a twinge now and then. My life is certainly better!
im 21, and ive been in a lot of pain for the last 4 months stemming from my left nut up to my left abdomen, i am not sure what the problem is but i think its varicocele, but from the lit ive read it doesnt seem like there should be pain...what kind of pain does anyone experience?
[quote:ea60c52a03=\"Anonymous\"]im 21, and ive been in a lot of pain for the last 4 months stemming from my left nut up to my left abdomen, i am not sure what the problem is but i think its varicocele, but from the lit ive read it doesnt seem like there should be pain...what kind of pain does anyone experience?
This reply may be a little late but still.
I have had this problem since 18(ish) and am 24 now.
The pain that I feel is a dull ache, as if I constantly have a weight pulling my left testicle down, I put off going to see a GP for a long time and then when I did go to see him because the discomfort was so bad he had a quick look and told me to come back if they get any bigger.
I siad that sometimes they are substantially bigger and the next day they could be smaller again, so he told me if they are bigger at and point to tell the nurse/reception girl that it was important and to let me see him that day.
They are still there and the dull ache is getting bad, so I am going to book an appointmet asap. IT would be a BANK holiday today, tut. :!:
good luck with your nut(s)
Rob
I had the varicole embolisation 6 weeks ago. I am still in pain at the moment, pain is a lot worse now than it was before the operation. Is this normal?
hi,
for the last month or so i have been getting aching pains in my left testicle along with tightness and swelling, and more over the last few weeks a aching in my left groin also making my legs feel weaker than usual. i do get slight aching in the lower bladder areas over to the left but i reckon this is related with the aching in my left testicle.. i also realised an extra swelling above the left testicle in a sort ov oval shape....
i saw my gp a few days ago and from what he could tell, i have an epididymal cyst.
he has referred me to the hospital to have a ultrasound exam to determind what it actually is.
from what iv read on the net it seems to me like the lump is an epididymal cyts and the aching and swelling is Varicocele.
its on my mind all day and noticable as its kind of tender.. im not keen on surgery but have found information on Varicocele embolization which im much more happier with but not sure if its that popular?
Hi, I'm 22yo and had a 'dull ache' in my left teste on and off for a week it hurts like mad and doesn;t seem to be going away! I've recently started exercising - cycling and swimming especially so I'm thinking this may have kicked it off...and I though exercise was meant to be good for you :? how long should I expect this to last and should I see the doctor about it or will he just send me away? I have pain in the vein above the lefty and slight pain in my left abdomen but this may just be my bowel.. It's happened at the worst possible time I have coursework to do and I can't go to uni with what feels like a clamp on my ball! and it's stopping me sleeping 
Any advice greatly appreciated
Thanks, Dave
Hi Dave, to be on the safe side, see a GP first. I started feeling the same dull ache/pain/discomfort on my left testicle a month ago. The feeling is on and off and at first, I thought that its just the usual muscle pain I normally get after a work out at the gym or maybe too much running. My doctor sent me to get an ultra-sound and found out that I have varicocele. At least now I know why I feel something on my left scrotum and lately, I feel some pain too on my left groin. I saw a specialist and he told me that they have a procedure to fix it.
So...find time and get an appointment with your doctor. Hope this helps.
RannyC thanks for your advice, 2 months down the line I'm still suffering! now and again the pain moves to the right one aswell..but it's a different kind of pain. I went to the doctors initially (2mths ago) and he told me basically to take PK's and it will go away-typical, makes you wonder why bother? But anyway, it went away for a little bit, or i got used to the feeling, but the pain is really uncomfortable again...it can be quite deabilitating and makes it hard to do anything energic. Have you had the op? if so, what does it entail and what are the chances of complications?? I'm gonna go back to the doctors hopefully this week.
Hi, Thank you for sharing your experience. However, I wanted to know if you went through incisional varicocelectomy or any other kind? Also, how long did it take for you to go back to normal, by that I mean, have sex etc? Was there any difference regarding sexual function before and after the treatment? Would really appreciate your answers!
I have had the same problem since I was in my 30's , I am now 46. It affected many areas of my life...I finally started using natural remedies, I dipped my testicles in Tea tree Oil 2 times, I saw marked improvement after the first time , and after the second time my testicles felt better than they have in years, the aching and generally uncomfortable feeling is gone,. they do not hang as low, and the small cyst like bumps are almost gone. I also started taking butcher's broom root capsules which is good for varicose veins.. but the Tea Tree Oil helped so much I wanted to share and encourage others to try it. The tea tree oil is antibacterial and can travel through the walls of the skin into the testicle and really clean and sooth them.I do not believe it can cause any harm, its feels warm but not unbearable, even good in a way. If you are worried test a bit first before fully soaking them..but the full soak for about 5 -10 minutes is what helped me the most.
Good luck.....
I had varicocele embolization done 5 years ago on the nhs. Excellent procedure got rid of my pain and swelling. Definitely recommended it!
I had varicocele embolization done 5 years ago and it successfully got rid of my varicocele. It's a really simple painless procedure. I'm now able to exercise and train without the horrible aching I would get before. I had previously had surgery which failed to get rid of the varicocele so my urologist recommended embolization.
Interesting.
I'm currently weighing up having an embolisation. I have a very mild varicocele, it causes me discomfort every now and then, although I'd never describe it as pain. My dilemma is that I only have one testicle. One urologist has refused to perform Microsurgical Varicocelectomy because of the risk factors although another has offered to. The one that won't is recommending just leaving it, or if not then get the embolisation. I have read a few horror stories about the procedure but also some like yours that have been successful... apparently leaving it can have long term effects and with just one I naturally want to protect what I've got.
It's a difficult conundrum.
Hi Jack, I can see what a difficult conundrum you are in. Have you had your sperm count checked? If it's good and it's only causing pain every now and then you might be better off delaying treatment and monitoring the situation regularly. As for treatment options I had the surgery first and the varicocele reoccured. I also had a difficult recovery after the surgery. I don't believe the micro surgery is as safe as they make out. I personally wouldn't risk the surgery in your situation. The embolization was much easier no pain or discomfort and luckily for me a much more successfull procedure. I haven't had any issues or complications since. I did a lot of research and spoke to a few urologists and people who had the embolization successfully so I decided to go for it and I don't regret it. That been said I think you're doing the right thing not rushing into anything, you need to really weigh everything up and decide what's best for you. Best wishes
Thanks for your reply Tom...
I have had my count checked three times. 6, 4 and as recently as December 20th... 9mil.
Thats pretty much what two of the three urologists I've seen have recommended... I would have had the embolisation done by now had it not been for a few negative stories I heard through searches online, mainly linked to the coils but the nature of these things is that you only really hear the negative stories and not all the successes like yours... I am on the list for the treatment and could have it within a month, I just want to be sure I'm doing the right thing as unlike most I don't have an insurance of a second testicle.
I've certainly taken a lot of confidence from your success. We're trying at the moment so I may just delay and monitor and then if I'm not happy, bite the bullet and take the embolisation.
Very grateful for your response, it's been a big help.
Hi neal61004,
your experience with Tea Tree Oil for varicocele interests me very much. Did you use pure, undiluted tea tree oil? Where did you hear about this treatment? I have been unable to find anything about it on the internet. I would like to try it, but want to be sure that it is safe. I would be grateful to hear from you and any information or advice you might have. Thank you!
Did you get embolization done ?
hello, can you please give more detail. Thank you