How hydrocele affects potency

Does hydrocele affects potency

Varicocele is a varicose vein that forms the groin plexus of the testicles. Many men are concerned about the question of whether varicocele affects potency. For reproductive function - almost always, as for erectile function - options are possible.

Basic concepts of varicocele

Main article: Varicocele in detail

As with any varicose veins, the root cause of varicocele is a change in the structure of the venous wall, in which it ceases to withstand blood pressure and begins to expand. As the lumen of the vein expands, the function of the valves is disrupted, venous blood is thrown back into the vessels of the spermatic cord, and they overflow. Venous pressure becomes even higher, the vicious circle closes.

Among the main symptoms of varicocele, we note pulling pains in the scrotum, discomfort while walking, excessive sweating in the groin area. In the later stages of the process, the dilated veins become visible to the naked eye, and the scrotum itself also increases.

Varicocele and potency

In 40-80% of cases of varicocele, the only clinical manifestation is an altered spermogram, and venous insufficiency is detected during an in-depth examination in search of the cause of infertility.

But for the normal functioning of the testicles, their temperature must be less than body temperature - that is why this organ is brought out. Stagnation of blood in the venous plexus around the testicle causes it to overheat. Over time, the testicle begins to atrophy. As a result, the level of the male sex hormone - testosterone, which is also necessary for a normal erection, decreases.

Read more: What causes overheated testicles?

After 7 months after the removal of the varicocele, in 83% of patients, the level of testosterone in the blood serum increases. But the situation is reversible only up to a certain time - with complete testicular atrophy, it is very problematic to talk about the restoration of functions.

Some men have concerns that surgery will adversely affect potency. And for this reason, they delay treatment. But this is wrong. Only a month or two it will be impossible to have sex after the operation. Further restrictions are removed.

Read more: How to know the level of testosterone by external signs?

Can varicocele affect potency?

Varicocele affects potency or not, excites all men who have encountered this disease. With this pathology, varicose veins of the testicle are observed. This problem is quite common, especially in adolescence. Various reasons can provoke the development of the problem.

The main causes and symptoms of the development of the disease

To understand what connection varicocele and potency have, it is necessary to find out what kind of disease it is. The veins in the testicles dilate as a result of congestion with blood. This happens when the valves responsible for the return of blood into the vessels of the spermatic cord do not perform their functions. To provoke the development of the problem can be a long stay in an upright position or daily heavy physical exertion. Therefore, men most often suffer from this, who are forced to stand for a long time and work hard.

The brightness of the manifestations of the pathological condition depends on the strength and elasticity of the venous vessels.

When the veins fill with blood, the pressure in them increases, which gradually causes them to stretch. At the same time, their length and width increase, which causes disruption of the testicles. This explains the effect of varicocele on potency.

The disease develops under the influence of:

• burdened heredity;
• features of the location of venous vessels;
• reducing the lumen of blood vessels;
• neoplasms located in this part of the body;
• systematic constipation;
• daily physical labor;
• obesity;
• promiscuous sex life;
• inflammatory diseases.

If the veins in the testicles began to expand, then the man will suffer from:

• painful sensations in the scrotum of a dull and aching nature;
• feelings of heaviness and discomfort while walking;
• sharp spasmodic pain resembling neuralgia;
• an increase in the size of one testicle;
• excessive sweating and high temperature in the scrotum.

Often, the pathological process develops without any manifestations, so the problem is determined during a preventive examination. Manifestations can occur at different stages of the development of the disease. Therefore, in order to detect the problem in time, preventive examinations should be carried out.

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How the disease affects potency

Does varicocele affect potency? This is what worries all men the most. Most doctors claim that libido and erection will not be affected by the disease. Similar problems can arise only if a man has other diseases of the reproductive system. Therefore, the problem in the form of dilated testicular veins will not lead to impotence.

A decrease in erection after the diagnosis of "varicocele" is observed due to the fact that congestive processes occur in the scrotum.

The expansion of the veins leads to stagnation of blood and seminal fluid, which negatively affects the functioning of the reproductive system.

When a man has a deterioration in potency, if he has varicose veins, then doctors suspect the presence of inflammation of the prostate or a benign tumor in the prostate gland.

Any of these pathologies has a negative effect on sexual desire due to squeezing of blood vessels and the development of congestion.

Special attention should be paid to the morning erection. If it is completely absent, then you need to urgently inform your doctor about it.

With varicocele, the reproductive function is disturbed:

• because sperm motility is significantly reduced;
• due to the fact that the seminal fluid becomes less viscous.

The disease can affect the state of sperm in that one of its manifestations is an increase in temperature in the scrotum.

Male sex cells can only be produced under certain conditions. The disease leads to the fact that the vessels located around the testicle expand and increase in size, because of this, there is more blood in them and the temperature regime rises significantly, hypoxic disorders occur. This negatively affects the process of production and life expectancy of germ cells.

Even if a man does not plan to have children in the future, he must undergo treatment for varicose veins. If help is not provided on time, then the pathological process will develop, the work of the testicle will be disrupted. Subsequently, this will affect the production of testosterone. A decrease in its level will lead to erection problems and a decrease in potency.

Troubleshooting

The only option that will get rid of the disease is surgery. Many men believe that potency after varicocele surgery will deteriorate significantly. But this is an incorrect statement. Problems with sexual life can be observed during the rehabilitation period and only because sex is contraindicated for the patient after varicocelectomy. After a complete recovery of the body, a man can return to his usual sexual life without any difficulty.

Problems with potency in most cases arise due to the fact that a man is sure of such a consequence of the disease. It is under the influence of the psychological factor that young people develop erectile dysfunction.

Therefore, doctors try to immediately convince the patient that there will be no such complications and impotence cannot be obtained as a result of varicocele. But this does not mean that treatment is not necessary. It is desirable to do this at the initial stages of the development of pathology.

Various techniques are used to fix the problem. The disease is most successfully treated:

From this we can conclude that the erection and potency of varicocele is not affected if treated in a timely manner. This is not a fatal and life-threatening disease, but quite "ordinary", but if ignored, the consequences can be quite unpleasant. The main problem that the disease can lead to is infertility. Therefore, therapy is necessary, even if nothing bothers you yet.

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A testicular cyst in men is a disease that occurs with a very high frequency. It is found in approximately every third man who has applied to the clinic for examination. The place of its formation is the upper part of the testicles (testicles) and along the passage of the spermatic cords. At the same time, a cyst of the epididymis, or epididymis, may develop.

A testicular cyst is a cavity bounded by a fibrous membrane and filled with fluid. It is clearly separated from nearby organs and tissues and usually appears due to blockage of the excretory ducts. Its distinguishing feature is very slow growth and no symptoms.

Classification

A testicular cyst, depending on the cause of formation, can be congenital or acquired. A congenital cyst in a boy is usually formed due to a violation of the process of intrauterine development for up to 20 weeks. The following reasons contribute to its occurrence:

• pregnancy aggravated by the threat of miscarriage;
• hormonal imbalance in the mother's body;
• injury received during the birth of a boy;
• prematurity.

The acquired cyst of the epididymis in men, like the testicular cyst, most often occurs when the external genitalia is injured or infected. Depending on the location, there is a left-sided, right-sided or bilateral head cyst. There are also cysts that form in the epididymis or spermatic cord.

Another classification divides them depending on the structure and content.

• Dermoid. Inside you can find parts of other organs - hair, bones.
• Spermatocele. Inside is seminal fluid.
• Single chamber. It has no partitions and consists of one cavity.
• Multi-chamber. It is characterized by the presence of partitions.

How to detect pathology?

Despite the similarity of the causes and method of formation of ovarian cysts in women and men, ovarian diseases proceed differently and have dissimilar symptoms. Common are the method and causes of the formation of cavities and the effect of hormonal levels on their appearance, as well as the consequences - infertility, symptoms of heaviness in the lower abdomen, unpleasant symptoms during sex.

Most often, a cyst of the head or spermatic cord is detected during routine diagnostics of a man. Its characteristic symptoms are the appearance of a painless lump of small size and round shape, located next to the testicle or on the head. Based on the anatomical features, a cyst of the epididymis of the left testicle is more common. Some time after the appearance of the neoplasm, it causes symptoms of discomfort in the scrotum, most noticeable when walking or having intercourse. Large cavities of the appendages of the left and right ovaries are common causes of infertility.

Diagnosis of this disease is carried out by a specialist - a urologist or andrologist.The price of diagnostics depends on the degree of equipment of the clinic and the qualifications of the doctor. For diagnosis, an anamnesis is taken, finding out the time of appearance of the cyst, as well as what treatment was carried out earlier. It is also important to find out if a man has other diseases, in particular:

• whether there were genital injuries;
• Whether pelvic inflammatory disease has been previously treated or any surgery.

The next stage of diagnosis is examination of the patient, palpation of the left and right testicles, determination of the degree of cyst mobility, assessment of the surface and painful symptoms. Diagnostics can also be carried out by diaphanoscopy - examination of the scrotum in the light with a flashlight. This type of diagnosis allows you to evaluate the amount of fluid in the cyst, which glows with a pink light.

Ultrasound diagnosis of the scrotum is a method that allows you to accurately locate the cavity on the head of the epididymis of the right or left testis and find out its contents. The most informative is the diagnosis of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which allows you to get a layered analysis of ovarian tissues. Analyzing the symptoms and diagnostic results, the urologist (andrologist) prescribes the necessary treatment.

How are cystic conditions treated?

A cyst of the epididymis of the left testicle, like other types of ovarian cysts, has only one method of treatment - surgical. Operations are carried out regardless of the symptoms, both by the classical method with a scalpel and by hardware. Assessing the symptoms, the attending physician prescribes surgery only for those men who have a rapid growth or infection of the contents of the ovarian cyst, as well as with symptoms of malignancy. Small cysts that are asymptomatic are observed without surgery.

• Surgical removal.
• Removal by sclerotherapy.
• Puncture.
• Laparoscopy

Surgical treatment consists in making an incision in the area of the cyst and its exfoliation, after which the scrotum tissues are connected in layers with sutures. These operations are performed under general or local anesthesia. The final step is the application of a gauze bandage, ice and a supporting suspensor.

Two weeks after the operation, it is recommended to refrain from physical activity. Antibiotic therapy is prescribed. A side symptom of the removal of a cyst of the head of the right or left testicle can be infertility, which the man must be warned about before the procedure.

Sclerotherapy treatment involves removing fluid from the cavity and filling it with a special compound that causes destruction of the tissues lining it. The collapse of the spermatic cords can lead to their obstruction and infertility. To restore the normal movement of spermatozoa in the future, it may be necessary to remove the damaged area and its plastic.

The puncture method is similar to sclerotherapy, however, the contents of the cyst are removed without the subsequent injection of any substances. The method is a temporary solution to the problem. Gradually, the fluid returns to the cavity, and the repetition of the procedure and the gradual destruction of the mucous lining of the duct often cause damage to the surface of the testicle and its epididymis.

Laparoscopy is the least difficult procedure for the patient, the price of which is justified by a quick recovery and low trauma. A laparoscope is a special device, on the head of which there is a system of lenses that feed an image into the camera for visual control.

Similar methods are used to treat adnexal cysts - surgical or laparoscopic removal and sclerotherapy. Treatment of congenital pathology in boys has its own characteristics. Often it goes away on its own. Removal becomes necessary when it reaches a size of 1-1.5 cm.

Possible complications

The consequences of the appearance of this pathology can be very unpleasant for health. The possibility of infection of its contents, rupture in case of trauma to the scrotum, infertility with bilateral development of the cyst are the reasons for the need for surgery. Its price depends on the reputation of the clinic and its equipment and is about 30 thousand

However, there are measures to reduce the likelihood of such ovarian neoplasms in men. These include the prevention of inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system, genital infections, injuries, as well as regular self-examination. All this will allow to detect the formed cyst in time and start timely treatment.

Testicular dropsy and infertility

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Testicular dropsy and infertility - how are they interconnected? Unfortunately, this connection is more than obvious. Hydrocele and infertility - this is what can become probable if a man does not turn to a doctor in time.

Hydrocele: to conceive a child

If a man suffers from a hydrocele, this can lead to some difficulties with the conception process. Why?It is worth noting that the presence of dropsy of the testicle does not affect whether a man has an erection and whether it is full and appropriate for his age. With this aspect, there are no problems at all.

However, when is such a situation possible that a hydrocele negatively affects sexual function?

If a man managed to start dropsy in himself, which at first proceeds in a mild form, like most diseases, and she managed to go into a chronic stage or reach a large size, then in this case the structures of the spermatic cord may begin to be compressed. Hydrocele and conception of a child in this case become closely interconnected. There is a violation of normal blood circulation and spermatogenesis begins with violations. This means that spermatozoa are either not produced in the proper quantity, or their quality leaves much to be desired. Such problems tend to be the most common. This can easily lead to infertility.

Testicular dropsy and pregnancy: when should you see a doctor?

In order for hydrocele and infertility not to become a bitter reality for a particular married couple, you need to turn to competent specialists in time. What is meant by the word on time? For many couples, it is not immediately possible to conceive a child, and this is a normal phenomenon. And this applies even to healthy couples who do not suffer from any reproductive disorders. But if there are such violations, then this significantly reduces the chances of a successful and quick conception.

It is common for a couple to believe that the inability to get pregnant is due to a female factor, but this is not always the case. That is why a man should also undergo some diagnostic procedures. This will allow you to find out which factor is leading in relation to infertility in a particular couple.

Hydrocele and spermogram

A dropsy of the testis and infertility - this is something that will not please any representative of the male half of humanity. What to do in this case? The correct way to diagnose is to undergo a procedure called a spermogram. This diagnostic allows you to assess the mobility of spermatozoa present in the seed, their quality and quantity. Of course, not all men are delighted with the procedure, but for the sake of conception, it is worth going through it.

Diagnosis is the surest way to find out what actually causes infertility. But is it worth it to treat hydrocele during the planning?

Hydrocele and conceiving your child: when should you see a doctor about an illness?

If a man sees that his scrotum has grown in size, in some cases he does not attach importance to this problem. However, this is not an entirely correct tactic, and in any case, a consultation with a urologist is indicated. If the hydrocele in a man is small and can only be detected through the use of ultrasound diagnostics, then surgery is not necessary.

If the hydrocele is of medium size, then the man may also simply not feel the presence of such a disease in himself. But at the same time, if it proceeds for a long time period, then this may be the result of male infertility and the chance will increase that after the puncture of the contents (the procedure is carried out exclusively by a doctor), a relapse of the disease may become possible.

Acquired hydrocele and conception

What does an acquired hydrocele imply? You need to understand that such a disease as dropsy can be both acquired and congenital. The congenital form appears in children under the age of one year. As for the acquired form, it just worries men of reproductive age. This form has a high tendency to cause male infertility.

What are the reasons for the appearance of an acquired hydrocele in a man?

Typically, this is:

Video : Male infertility

How does dropsy affect infertility?

A dropsy of the testicles (hydrocele) is a disease in which excess fluid accumulates in the inner lining of the testicle. It can be lymph, blood or pus, and the volume can be from 2 ml to 1 liter or even more (severe cases of the disease). More often, dropsy in this area occurs in newborns and adult men (20-30 years old).

At the same time, the most important question that interests men who have encountered this disease in their lives is how does it affect infertility and potency?

How dangerous is hydrocele?

A hydrocele, in addition to aesthetic and physical discomfort, even despite the complete absence of pain, can lead to rather serious consequences, such as a violation of the blood supply to the testicle as a result of its compression by the accumulated fluid. Which, combined with an increase in temperature in the scrotum, can affect the quality of sexual life and cause male infertility.

Varieties of dropsy of the testicles and causes

The scrotum is a sac-like musculocutaneous formation, which is divided into two halves by a septum, each of which contains the testicle, the scrotum with the spermatic cord and the epididymis. The wall of the scrotum has several layers, which are the shells of the testicle.

If there is an accumulation of fluid (i.e. serous effusion), as a result, dropsy of the testicle begins to develop between the membranes - a hydrocele, which can be one- or two-sided type.

A hydrocele may well be congenital (that is, a non-communicating hydrocele and communicating with the abdominal cavity), as well as acquired as a result of a neoplasm, trauma, or inflammation. According to the course of the disease, chronic and acute dropsy are also distinguished.

Disease diagnosis

Diagnosing dropsy of the testicle does not present any difficulties for the doctor. During a routine examination, an increase in the scrotum, a displacement of the testicle (one or both) are easily determined, changes are observed during diaphanoscopy (by transillumination of the scrotum in a dark room).

But with a small amount of accumulated fluid or in the presence of dropsy communicating with the abdominal cavity, additional studies will be required. As a rule, a couple experiences difficulties in conceiving, and to find out the reasons, partners are sent for a comprehensive examination. It was then that this disease was detected, which affects infertility, although the man could not even imagine this, since he does not feel any discomfort and pain.

The main method for diagnosing a hydrocele is scrotum ultrasound, which allows you to accurately show the presence and severity of the disease based on changes in the structure of the appendages and testicles (due to their compression). Often, the disease is differentiated along with a testicular tumor, testicular cyst, spermatic cord cyst, tuberculous lesion, spermatocele.

Treatment of dropsy

When making such a diagnosis, patients, of course, are interested in whether a hydrocele is treated. There are several types of treatment for this disease that can cause infertility, which are successfully carried out, after which the man can return to his normal lifestyle, play sports and, of course, have sex.

• The testicular sclerosing procedure is a fairly new treatment for dropsy. It is widely used in the USA and European countries. The sclerosing procedure consists in suctioning the fluid (as in a puncture), followed by the subsequent introduction of special sclerosants (drugs that help reduce the volume of fluid production by the testicular membranes) into this cavity. The effect is usually achieved in one or two procedures. Considering that the sclerosant can cause damage to testicular tissue, this method is recommended for the treatment of the disease in the elderly, for whom surgical treatment is contraindicated.
• Puncture of dropsy, carried out only with suction of liquid contents. The procedure is diagnostic in nature - it allows you to get only a temporary effect (for several weeks, for a maximum of six months). The method is used in cases where the operation is not possible (again in older men), and also if the patient refuses the operation, but wants to get a temporary aesthetic effect (before vacation, for example).

• A dropsy of the testis is effectively treated with surgical methods. At the same time, plastic on the testicle shell is considered the most popular. There are several types of plastics, but there is no significant difference between them (Winckelmann, Lord or Bergman).

The surgeon in most cases determines the most appropriate type of plastic surgery already during the surgical intervention. For example, it is irrational to perform the Winckelmann or Lord operation if there is a rather large dropsy, in which there is an excess of shells.

Furthermore, Lord's method of surgery is not suitable in the presence of chronic dropsy, in which the membranes become quite rigid, and their shirring will cause an unaesthetic result (that is, the scrotum will not have a natural shape).

The operation is performed under general or local anesthesia and is generally well tolerated by patients. Usually, hospitalization is not required, but if desired and with some concerns, the patient can stay overnight in the clinic under the supervision of doctors. The incision is made along the median suture of the scrotum, and therefore, after the operation, the scar is almost invisible.

The choice of method depends on the size of the dropsy, the condition of the testicular membranes and the age of the patient. And you can protect yourself from dropsy by the usual preventive measures.

You should protect the testicles from injuries, inflammatory and infectious diseases of the genital organs, various parasitic diseases, especially chlamydia, which in 55% of cases is the cause of acute inflammation of the epididymis and testicles, as well as epididymitis in men under 35.