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A varicocele occurs when the veins inside the scrotum become enlarged. Varicoceles usually form around puberty and occur in about 15% of men. However, only 15% of men with varicoceles require surgery1. Varicoceles usually occur on the left side, but they can occur on either side.
While most varicoceles are harmless, sometimes they can cause symptoms including:
It is not known exactly why varicoceles develop, but they occur when valves in the veins of the scrotum do not work properly. This causes the blood in the veins to flow backwards and pool in the scrotum, resulting in swollen veins.
Varicoceles can be identified on physical exam. Sometimes varicoceles can cause a dull pain or sensation of heaviness in the scrotum, but most varicoceles do not have any symptoms. As part of the evaluation, an ultrasound is typically done to measure the size of the varicoceles and the testicles.
Most varicoceles do not cause problems and do not need to be fixed. If surgery is not recommended, then the varicocele can be monitored with ultrasounds and/or a semen analysis once a year.
Treatment is only recommended if the varicocele is causing pain, there is a significant and persistent decreased size in the testicle on the affected side, or there is decreased fertility. If treatment is necessary, options include a microscopic varicocelectomy, laparoscopic varicocelectomy or testicular vein embolization, with each performed as outpatient procedures typically taking about an hour.
The Division of Pediatric Urology at Weill Cornell Medicine, proudly affiliated with Children’s Hospital of New York at NewYork-Presbyterian, provides world-class care to children of all ages, from birth through adolescence, with disorders of the kidney, ureter, bladder, urethral and external genitalia. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained pediatric urologists offer minimally invasive robotic and laparoscopic procedures, complex open procedures and non-surgical management of pediatric urological disorders. Our program is a top Pediatric Urology program in New York City, and NewYork-Presbyterian Children’s Hospital-Columbia and Cornell is ranked among the top 50 pediatric urology programs in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.
To request an appointment, please call our office at (212) 746-5337 or schedule an appointment with one of our providers online below. Our phone staff are available to help you Monday-Friday, from 9AM-5PM (EST).
Meet our expert providers who specialize in treating Varicoceles:
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