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I've had this operation done once already (Varicocelectomy) And it seemed to have failed. Either that or I have yet another hernia. (Damn BALLS!). It seems the the original operation didn't work and I have a relapse of this. Along with working the legs out has made this far worse then ever. When doing legs, muscles get engorged with blood enlarging them thus producing a larger "force" against the inguinal canal, thus creating more pain (dull ache) because of lack of blood flow. Working the legs out seems to magnify this effect. So this post is just either a heads up since it is quite common in males, and a question to see if any of you have gone though this procedure more then once.
And FYI I'd rather of had 3 hernia operations (i've already had 2 ) then 1 Varicocelectomy. They hurt like hell post-op. Below is what a Varicocele is. All men should read this
What is a varicocele?
(more FAQ's below)
A varicocele is a dilated (enlarged) group of veins in the scrotum. Just like some people have dilated or "varicose" veins in their legs, some men have dilated veins in their scrotum. The dilated veins are filled with excess blood.
Every part of the body needs oxygen. Blood carries oxygen to various parts of the body through arteries. Arteries have muscular walls that pump the blood away from the heart. Veins are the channels that bring the blood back to the heart and they do not have thick muscular walls. Their walls are fairly thin and the blood in them moves more passively; it is pushed back towards the heart through the pressure of the blood being pumped away from the heart, and the movement of the muscles and other structures surrounding the veins pushing against the vein walls.
Interspersed along the veins are a series of one-way valves. These valves allow the blood to flow towards the heart, but stop them blood from "slipping" backwards. If these valves are not working, blood will flow backwards and, because of gravity, the blood will collect in the most dependent (lowest) part of the pathway.
In people who have large varicose veins in their legs, the valves are not functioning properly and the blood is actually pooling in their legs. Because of this they will find that after standing for long periods of time, the blood has collected in their legs, giving them a heavy dragging feeling. Men with varicoceles may notice a heavy, dragging, aching feeling in the scrotum ("ball sack") at the end of the day. There too the valves in the veins that drain the blood from the testicles (the internal spermatic veins) are not functioning properly and allow the blood to collect.
How is a varicocele diagnosed?
(more FAQ's below)
A) Self Diagnosis: Many men know they have a varicocele because they can feel the mass of dilated veins in the scrotum. This feels like a sac of worms or spaghetti. These men have larger varicoceles. They may also notice:
1). The testicle is smaller on that side.
2) They have discomfort in that testicle or side of the scrotum.
B) Physician's Diagnosis: During a physical examination a physician may diagnose a varicocele. It can most clearly be felt when a man is standing and again, it will feel like a bag of spaghetti. It may disappear when a man lies down (as the weight of the blood and the veins is no longer pushing down past the malfunctioning valves into the scrotum). In a standing position, the man may also be asked to bear down (like he is having a bowel movement). The physician may feel an impulse as the blood pushes backwards (because of the increased pressure inside the abdomen) into the scrotum.
A) Sophisticated Testing. To confirm varicoceles, sophisticated tests are often used.
1. A Doppler stethoscope will amplify the sound of blood moving past it. When the patient pushes down, more blood flows backwards into the scrotum and can be heard as a rushing sound.
2. Ultrasound: The duplex ultrasound is currently considered the best non-invasive way to identify or confirm the presence of varicoceles. The duplex ultrasound has two parts. First a thorough ultrasound of the testis is performed. The diameter of the veins can be measured. Other abnormalities may be identified. A recent study found that 31% of men with infertility had an abnormal finding on the ultrasound that was not suspected by the physical examination.
The second part of the ultrasound evaluation measures the blood, which flows past the probe when the patient pushes down. This blood flow confirms the varicocele.
3) A test which is rarely used anymore involves injecting a radioactive substance into the blood stream. This can then be seen collecting in the scrotum.
And FYI I'd rather of had 3 hernia operations (i've already had 2 ) then 1 Varicocelectomy. They hurt like hell post-op. Below is what a Varicocele is. All men should read this
What is a varicocele?
(more FAQ's below)
A varicocele is a dilated (enlarged) group of veins in the scrotum. Just like some people have dilated or "varicose" veins in their legs, some men have dilated veins in their scrotum. The dilated veins are filled with excess blood.
Every part of the body needs oxygen. Blood carries oxygen to various parts of the body through arteries. Arteries have muscular walls that pump the blood away from the heart. Veins are the channels that bring the blood back to the heart and they do not have thick muscular walls. Their walls are fairly thin and the blood in them moves more passively; it is pushed back towards the heart through the pressure of the blood being pumped away from the heart, and the movement of the muscles and other structures surrounding the veins pushing against the vein walls.
Interspersed along the veins are a series of one-way valves. These valves allow the blood to flow towards the heart, but stop them blood from "slipping" backwards. If these valves are not working, blood will flow backwards and, because of gravity, the blood will collect in the most dependent (lowest) part of the pathway.
In people who have large varicose veins in their legs, the valves are not functioning properly and the blood is actually pooling in their legs. Because of this they will find that after standing for long periods of time, the blood has collected in their legs, giving them a heavy dragging feeling. Men with varicoceles may notice a heavy, dragging, aching feeling in the scrotum ("ball sack") at the end of the day. There too the valves in the veins that drain the blood from the testicles (the internal spermatic veins) are not functioning properly and allow the blood to collect.
How is a varicocele diagnosed?
(more FAQ's below)
A) Self Diagnosis: Many men know they have a varicocele because they can feel the mass of dilated veins in the scrotum. This feels like a sac of worms or spaghetti. These men have larger varicoceles. They may also notice:
1). The testicle is smaller on that side.
2) They have discomfort in that testicle or side of the scrotum.
B) Physician's Diagnosis: During a physical examination a physician may diagnose a varicocele. It can most clearly be felt when a man is standing and again, it will feel like a bag of spaghetti. It may disappear when a man lies down (as the weight of the blood and the veins is no longer pushing down past the malfunctioning valves into the scrotum). In a standing position, the man may also be asked to bear down (like he is having a bowel movement). The physician may feel an impulse as the blood pushes backwards (because of the increased pressure inside the abdomen) into the scrotum.
A) Sophisticated Testing. To confirm varicoceles, sophisticated tests are often used.
1. A Doppler stethoscope will amplify the sound of blood moving past it. When the patient pushes down, more blood flows backwards into the scrotum and can be heard as a rushing sound.
2. Ultrasound: The duplex ultrasound is currently considered the best non-invasive way to identify or confirm the presence of varicoceles. The duplex ultrasound has two parts. First a thorough ultrasound of the testis is performed. The diameter of the veins can be measured. Other abnormalities may be identified. A recent study found that 31% of men with infertility had an abnormal finding on the ultrasound that was not suspected by the physical examination.
The second part of the ultrasound evaluation measures the blood, which flows past the probe when the patient pushes down. This blood flow confirms the varicocele.
3) A test which is rarely used anymore involves injecting a radioactive substance into the blood stream. This can then be seen collecting in the scrotum.
