What are the symptoms of varicocele?

Written by Chen Feng
Urology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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The symptoms of varicocele vary depending on the severity of the patient's condition. Clinically, most varicocele patients have no obvious symptoms or no symptoms at all, and varicocele is often discovered during physical examinations. A small percentage of varicocele patients exhibit noticeable symptoms. The primary symptom is a feeling of heaviness or discomfort in the testicles, especially after prolonged walking or standing. The pain becomes more pronounced, but it will decrease or even disappear after lying down and resting. Some varicocele patients may not show symptoms but present with infertility. Varicocele is then discovered through physical examinations or related medical tests.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Is leg cramp related to varicose veins?

Leg cramps are not directly related to varicose veins. The most common cause of leg cramps in clinical practice is calcium deficiency, which can lead to cramps in the calves at night. For such cases, the first step is to supplement calcium by consuming foods high in calcium, such as drinking more milk and eating more legumes. Varicose veins are caused by the tortuosity of the veins in the lower leg, and patients with varicose veins often have some degree of deformation in the venous valves, which leads to varicose veins. This condition has no relation to calf cramps, as the causes and conditions of the diseases are completely different.

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Written by Zhang Xue Min
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Late-stage complications of lower extremity varicose veins

In the advanced stages of lower extremity varicose veins, fixed ulcers can appear above the ankle in certain specific areas. These ulcers may improve or worsen intermittently and are long-lasting. The ulcers might gradually enlarge, and pigmentation can occur around them, with the skin gradually darkening, and even turning black. If these ulcers continue to remain unhealed for an extended period, there is a possibility of cancerous changes in some individuals. Therefore, it is essential to treat lower extremity varicose veins that have progressed to ulcers, with the primary treatments being compression therapy and medication, which can also be combined with surgical treatment.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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What are the harms of varicose veins?

The harms of varicocele are mainly manifested in the following aspects. The first aspect is that varicocele causes a sensation of dragging pain in the testicles, affecting the patient's normal work and life. The second aspect is that due to the presence of varicocele, there is a decline in the quality of male semen, which affects male fertility. The third aspect is that if the varicocele is severe and persists for a long time, it may lead to testicular atrophy, resulting in a decrease in the level of testosterone secretion by the testicles, which reduces male sexual function. Therefore, patients with varicocele, especially those with decreased semen quality, should actively seek surgical treatment, which currently mainly involves high ligation of the spermatic vein.

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Written by Zhang Xue Min
Vascular Surgery
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Why does varicose veins sometimes feel like needle pricks?

In cases of varicose veins, the blood flow in the varicose veins is relatively slow. This blood, having undergone gas exchange, contains less oxygen and more carbon dioxide. If such blood remains in a local area for an extended period, it can potentially stimulate the nerves to some extent. Sometimes, including in varicose veins, if the blood flow pressure within these veins increases, it can also stimulate the nerves in the outer membrane of the blood vessels, leading to abnormal nerve discharges. Such incidents can manifest as brief, pin-like pain, not particularly intense, resembling the sensation of a needle prick. This condition is quite common and generally holds no special significance.

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Vascular Surgery
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Can people with varicose veins in the lower extremities drink alcohol?

The majority of patients with varicose veins in the lower limbs can drink alcohol in moderation, but should not drink excessively. However, there is one circumstance where it is advisable to check carefully before deciding whether to drink alcohol. This is the case if there are severe varicose veins in both lower limbs and even some clearly visible dilated veins on the abdomen. In such cases, it's recommended to check the liver first. This is because the veins from the lower limbs join to form a vein called the inferior vena cava, which passes through the liver to return to the heart. If there is a problem with the liver, it may compress the inferior vena cava, causing varicose veins on both sides. In this situation, drinking alcohol could further damage the liver, potentially worsening the varicose veins.