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Last Updated: Jul 24, 2024
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Exercises To Do If You Suffer From Varicocele

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Dr Suman GrandhiUrologist • 17 Years Exp.MBBS, MS - General Surgery, MCh - Urology/Genito-Urinary Surgery
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What is Varicocele ?

Varicocele is an abnormal enlargement of the veins in the scrotum, the bag of skin that holds the testicles. Varicoceles are common and usually form during puberty, though they can also appear later in life. They affect as many as one in six men between 15 and 25 years old. Although varicoceles don't always need treatment, they can cause pain or fertility problems and may require medical attention.

What are the signs and symptoms of Varicocele ?

The signs and symptoms of Varicocele include:

  • A feeling of heaviness or aching in the scrotum or groin area
  • A swollen, cordlike structure in the scrotum that is often accompanied by a dull ache
  • Low semen volume or decreased fertility
  • Lower sperm production
  • Signs of pain during ejaculation
  • Painless enlargement of the testicle on one side.

What are possible complications of Varicocele ?

Varicocele can cause a number of potential complications which can affect a person’s physical and mental well-being.

  • Pain and discomfort: Varicoceles are often associated with pain, discomfort and aching in the affected testicle or scrotum, leading to reduced quality of life.
  • Reduced fertility: Varicoceles may interfere with normal sperm production, leading to a reduction in fertility levels, making natural conception less likely.
  • Testicular atrophy: Prolonged presence of varicocele has been linked to testicular atrophy due to blood flow restriction in the affected area.
  • Embarrassment: In some cases, sufferers may also experience embarrassment from the physical appearance of their testicle or scrotum due to an enlarged vein caused by varicocele.
  • Psychological distress: Patients may also experience anxiety or depression due to the physical discomfort associated with varicocele as well as any potential impacts it has on fertility levels and overall quality of life experiences such as sexual intercourse or other activities requiring body confidence.

Exercises To Do If You Suffer From Varicocele

Exercising regularly is a great way to relieve symptoms of varicocele and help manage the condition. However, there are certain exercises you should avoid if you suffer from varicocele. 

The following exercises will help strengthen your abdominal muscles without putting additional stress on your groyne area:

  • Kegel Exercises: Kegels are a set of exercises used to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which help support the veins around the testicles. To perform kegel exercises, simply tense up your pelvic floor muscles for a few seconds at a time several times throughout the day, then release them before repeating again;
  • Abdominal Bracing: Abdominal bracing strengthens your core muscles without causing excess strain on your groyne area by targeting just one group of abdominals at a time with controlled movements;
  • Olympic Lifts: Doing Olympic lifts such as deadlifts and squats target more than just one group of abdominals but focus on stabilising those areas while strengthening larger muscle groups that protect these veins;
  • Glute Bridge: Similar to abdominal bracing but focusing on hips instead of abdominals, glute bridges isolate each side while utilising bodyweight to give each side equal resistance and requiring greater stability;
  • Core Rotations & Twists: Core rotations & twists work multiple muscle groups by requiring stability in order to move through multiple directional planes over time for overall abdominal strength training;
  • Planks: Planks put little direct strain on areas near testes while providing core strength benefits from holding yourself up straight for long periods with strong posture;
  • Walking/Jogging: Low intensity walking/jogging provides basic movement beneficial to overall health without overexerting or further straining testes-areas veins as well as providing cardiovascular benefits over longer distances sustained or highest intensity for maximal results such as interval training for faster mile completion times in running events like 5ks marathons etc.;
  • Air Cycling: Lying on your back, lift both legs off the ground as much as you can with your feet flexed up toward your head until they are parallel with your body without putting strain on your lower back or neck. Hold this position for five seconds before returning back down to starting position; this helps increase blood flow in the abdomen and pelvis regions.
  • Prone Press Ups:  Lying face down on a mat with hips elevated off the ground, contract abdominal muscles while pushing arms down into the mat to lift the upper body up as high as possible while drawing shoulder blades together at top of movement (press up). Then come back down into starting position; this strengthens abdominal muscles which may contribute to improved circulation through greater pressure release when abdominal muscle contracts again throughout the day thus improving overall venous flow within pelvis area associated with varicose veins diagnosis.
  • Wall Sits:  Place back against wall with legs extended out slightly wider than hip width away from wall then without changing leg positioning angle bend knees into a seated position while keeping torso firmly against wall;  Hold this squatting type posture for several seconds before coming back up again (without extending hips out at peak)  repeat sequence 8 times during one session if possible two times per day . This exercise helps build pelvic strength aiding in improved blood flow from increased resistance during contraction phase therefore providing relief from discomfort caused by varicose vein formation near abdomen region due it its therapeutic effects when done regularly over an extended period time period (8 weeks minimum).

What are the surgical treatments for Varicocele ? 

  • Microsurgical Varicocelectomy: Microsurgical varicocelectomy is the most common surgery to treat a varicocele. In this procedure, the present veins are blocked or removed using microsurgeries, resulting in the elimination of updated blood circulation and rapid healing of a varicocele.
  • Laparoscopic Varicocelectomy: In this procedure, a tiny incision is made into your abdomen and an endoscope (a long thin tube with a camera on its end) inserted so that your varicocele can be located and identified. The doctor then closes off or clips the enlarged veins and treats that section only.
  • Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Varicocelectomy: In this procedure, instead of an abdominal incision, a small cut is made on the side or back of your abdomen near your hip bone for easier access to your testicles and spermatic cord area, where the enlarged veins appear to be more visible as well as accessible using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques (endoscope).
  • Open Surgical Varicocelectomy: In this technique, an open-cut incision is preferred over other surgical approaches since it allows easier access to repair large veins which are difficult to reach with other minimally invasive techniques doe to their deeper levels within swollen tissue layers around them inside groyne area/scrotum region).

Best doctors to consult for Varicocele ? 

  • Urologists: Urologists are specialists in male and female urinary tract, reproductive system and genital organs. They possess the requisite expertise to diagnose and treat Varicocele condition with both medical treatments or through surgery.

  • General Surgeons: A general surgeon is a specialist who performs therapeutic and diagnostic procedures for human-related conditions ranging from gallbladder removal to appendix removal to Varicocele repair.

  • Vascular Surgeons: Vascular surgeons specialise in the treatment of varicoceles, as well as other vascular conditions that affect the veins and arteries in the body. They have expertise in diagnosing and treating various types of Varicoceles which includes open surgery, laparoscopic methods or sclerotherapy techniques.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult a specialist & get answers to your questions!
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