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Variocele

Posted , 4 users are following.

Nick
Nick

Hi - I'm a 40 year old male who has just been diagnosed with a variocele. Ironically it comes at the same time that I am preparing for a vasectomy. About 8 weeks ago having just got the ball rolling (so many puns available on this one) on the vasectomy I suddenly started feeling a mild discomfort on my left testicle side going into my groin. I was seeing the doctor about a cholestrol test at the time and mentioned this to him. He examined me and said there didn't seem anything untoward but that if it carried on to arrange a urine sample at the same time as the cholestrol test. I went away on holiday and the discomfort continued on a daily basis. My left testicle seemed permanently higher than my right and I felt a dull ache in both groins, my pubic bone area and perinium - nothing terrible, just mild aching especially as the day went on. I was doing a lot of walking and had started exercising more and guessed it was a groin strain. When I got home I had my pre-assessment for my vasectomy and when it was time for the examination I mentioned my symptoms to the doctor. He said he couldn't feel anything strange (as had my own GP) and that I definitely didn't have a hernia. During the next week the aching seemed to be centred in my left groin again.

A week later I went back to my GP's surgery for the cholestrol check and gave a urine sample to the nurse explaining that my doctor had suggested this if the aching was still around which it was. I went back for the results 10 days later - the cholestrol was fine and the urine absolutely clear of any infections. I was relieved but said that the discomfort was still very much there and that some evenings I took an occasional aspirin. He then said he'd refer me for an ultrasound scan at the local hospital. That lovely experience took place this Wednesday. Actually it was fine apart from a rather grumpy radiologist with no 'bedside manner'. I had to get undressed to my shirt and then lay on what looked like a dentist's chair. I was instructed to hold my penis out of the way (it was doing a pretty good job of disappearing of its own accord) and I lay there for 5 minutes thinking of England whilst Mr Grumpy waved an object around my nether regions and fiddled with a computer. At the end I was given loads of paper towels to wipe off the warm gel stuff he'd squirted on me. I thought I'd ask him if I was all clear and he then revealed that I had a small variocele on my left testi. As I was pulling up my 'Y' fronts and extracting my penis from my pubic hair with as much dignity as one can in that situation I asked Mr Grumpy whether this would have any bearing on my forthcoming vasectomy to which he replied with the immortal words: \"That's a whole new ball game.\" Ha! Got him - so you do do humour I laughed. Not a flicker. Any way, slightly relieved that something tangible might be causing this he then told me that he would be sending a full report to my GP. That's on Monday. Ah - I so love being on the medical conveyor belt I really do.

Just wondered if anyone has any advice about what to expect next. Will this have any effect on my vasectomy (booked in August). I've avoided the word pain as it's not really that - just this persistent ache but as a teacher I'm sitting a lot and that's not great I find. What might be suggested? The discomfort isn't stopping me doing anything but at the same time if I was told I would have to put up with it for the rest of my life I wouldn't be particularly thrilled. Sorry to go on but thanks for a great website where worried males can anonymously air their embarrassing/ worrying little problems. Thanks all.

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Nick
    Nick

    Posted

    Since my last update the following things have happened. After the ultrasound scan I returned to my Dr. for the results. Typically he didn't have them but eventually found them! He informed me that everything was healthy apart from a small varicocele on my left testicle. He then set up an appointment the following week with a urologist to discuss this. The following week was a good one - I think that just knowing helps you to relax and takes away a lot of the stress of the situation and for the first time in 10 weeks I forgot about my discomfort. Obviously as my time for my appointment with the urologist neared I felt more tense. It's pathetic I know but I still dislike being examined in this area and feel very selfconscious. However, it is far better to know, grit one's teeth and get on with it rather than worry all the time.

    On Tuesday I met the urologist. He hadn't received a letter from my Dr. or have my scan results. (Hmm...) So I started all over again. I then lay down for yet another examination at which point he wandered out to try to locate my scan report leaving me contemplating the ceiling and hoping no one else was going to walk in unannounced. Eventually he returned and gave me a very comprehensive examination - feeling all around my stomach and abdomen and testicles. I then had to stand and he examined me in this position announcing that he could feel the varicocele quite clearly. At last I was allowed to get dressed at which point he sat and explained what a variocele is and how it works. To be honest he was pretty dismissive - emphasising that the fact I'd felt better was because I knew I didn't have anything seriously wrong and it was all pretty minor anyway. Tight pants were recommended and a jockstrap if I was taking exercise.

    Of course I was delighted to be told all this and traipsed out feeling like someone whose execution has been cancelled at the last moment!

    Next day I suffered probably the worst discomfort so far - a burning sensation in my groin and perineum and Thursday was equally bad. I'm annoyed that I didn't ask more question - i.e. why is this happening now? The urologist said I could have had this all my life - yet it hasn't troubled me before. Although it's not stopping me doing anything it niggles me a lot and makes me feel bad tempered and irritable. Will the discomfort ever go? I am relieved that they seem to have found the answer but still not totally happy with the long term forecast. On the point of my forthcoming vasectomy the urologist said not to bother even mentioning it. To be honest I'm so sick of being fiddled with I'm contemplating postponing this any way. Ho Hum - at least I'm not seriously ill; and when I consider what some poor souls have to put up with I shouldn't complain at all but it still grates that 10 weeks ago my nether regions felt totally normal and they certainly don't now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Nick,

    Even though a varicocele isn't actually harmful, if it's really lowering your quality of life then you might want to think about having it removed. I understand that the surgical method used depends on the source of the varicocele, and can be abdominal, inguinal or even non-invasive, so it may not be a major operation - they're dealt with in outpatients, after all. Could it not be done at the same time as the vasectomy? Obviously it's better not to have an operation if you don't need one, but given that you're having one anyway and the varicocele causes so much discomfort....

    Good luck anyway,

    Iain

  • Nick
    Nick

    Posted

    Thanks for your message Iain. Since my last post the discomfort worsened and I returned to my GP for the upteenth time. He was brilliant and sent me for a second opinion. The new consultant was younger and far more understanding. He checked the varicocele and said it wasn't as small as I'd been led to believe. He then said that he suspected that the varicocele was actually masking other signs and symptoms and that he suspects that I actually have chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Any way he's having me in in the next few weeks for the last battery of tests (hopefully!) - an abdominal scan, a prostate examination and last but not least a bladder examination via my urethra - I can hardly wait! However, I feel better psychiologically that maybe they're tracking this thing down and certainly eliminating the 'nasties'. The symptoms are weird I have what feels like a trapped nerve in my urethra - like an electric wire has been attached and is being flicked on and off every second and touching my pubic hair even hurts! Obviously the nerves underneath are all inflamed. I'll post what happens next when it happens as I continue on the medical conveyor belt!
  • Partyof6miller
    Partyof6miller Nick

    Posted

    Hi Nick,

    I know this is an old thread, but really interested to hear an update from you and what you found out? I too have a varicocele on my left side and also considering vasectomy. Did you have them both at the same time? Did your pain subside?

    Thanks!

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