There is a lot of debate whether varicoceles require any treatment. No medical therapies are available for either treatment or prevention; however analgesics (pain medications) may alleviate associated pain when present. Some doctors claim that no treatment is required. Others claim that treatment may benefit individuals who are infertile and have symptoms. The treatment involves removal of the vein mass which is supposedly causing the enlargement and infertility.
The timing of the varicocele is also debated. Some doctors claim that even though varicoceles may be detected in adolescence, the treatment can wait until the individual has any symptoms or is getting married. Others recommend varicocele repair in adolescence only if there is evidence of pain, testicular atrophy or if the sperm count is altered.
Observation for varicoceles
A varicocele is not of any great danger to health and one should not panic. For the young male in whom the varicocele is discovered incidentally, and there are no symptoms, the varicocele should be left alone.
For those males who are married and have a varicocele but are still able to have children, the varicocele should also be left alone.
For those who have mild pain or an ache and have no problems with sterility, supportive treatment with scrotal support should be tried first for at least 4-12 weeks.
Never go to a surgeon who recommends Varicocele repair without first giving you your options. In any case, in most cases where Varicoceles are treated, fertility is still not restored. If you have no pain and the varicocele does not bother you leave it alone.
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