VARICOCELE...can it effect testosterone?

[Leon Kennedy]

ya im in the US, and also the israeli procedure is different because its the only one that also embolizes the neighboring prostatic veins for prostate issues as well. So thats the only reason I was considering their program. But I still need to get my test results and work through some other problems before i deceide anything.

I never heard about this prostatic vein thing. Is that for men with a prostate problem or do they do it to all varicocele patients?

[alexandrov]

I never heard about this prostatic vein thing. Is that for men with a prostate problem or do they do it to all varicocele patients?

I am not completely sure, but my impression is that if you do not have prostate problems then you dont need to worry about the prostatic vein embolization, but the gat goren technique is unique in other aspects compared to typical embolization. However I think it is preferable for certain conditions ie prostate problems, but i think a normal embolization is far more practical for typical varicocele problems

[80schild]

Do any of you have the little pinhole sized blood blisters on the skin of your scrotum? I know mine are caused by the varicocele because they're only on the left side. Just curious if the surgery helps this too.

[alexandrov]

Do any of you have the little pinhole sized blood blisters on the skin of your scrotum? I know mine are caused by the varicocele because they're only on the left side. Just curious if the surgery helps this too.

no i dont, but they most definitely could be related to varicocele

[Leon Kennedy]

Has anyone had varicocele embolization or microsurgery and found that their Testosterone level increased after the operation?

What procedure did you have and what was the increase in T afterwards?

[eatdatshrimp]

I had a varicocele since I was nine years old. At 18 I had the embolization surgery and it cleared the varicrose veins but it didn't have an effect on my hormones. I felt exactly the same before and after surgery. I had blood work done, only after the surgery unfortunately, and my levels are as follows:
Free T3: 3.57 (1.71-3.71)
Free T4: 1.1 (0.6-1.6)
T3 Total: 155.80 (87-178)
B12: 831 (180-914)
Test: 765 (132-813)
Estrogen: 88 (<130)
It looks like it didn't have much of an effect on my hormones, if any at all. Not sure about the estrogen though. I do know that it had to have an affect on my libido because that is very abnormally low, so I don't know what to do about that.

[Leon Kennedy]

I had a varicocele since I was nine years old. At 18 I had the embolization surgery and it cleared the varicrose veins but it didn't have an effect on my hormones. I felt exactly the same before and after surgery. I had blood work done, only after the surgery unfortunately, and my levels are as follows:
Free T3: 3.57 (1.71-3.71)
Free T4: 1.1 (0.6-1.6)
T3 Total: 155.80 (87-178)
B12: 831 (180-914)
Test: 765 (132-813)
Estrogen: 88 (<130)
It looks like it didn't have much of an effect on my hormones, if any at all. Not sure about the estrogen though. I do know that it had to have an affect on my libido because that is very abnormally low, so I don't know what to do about that.

Was your libido low before surgery? Is it low after surgery?

[v4lu3s]

Test 765....test level isnt the problem.....

[bpclipper10]

Had varicocele fixed two years ago. I'm 22 now and feel phenomenal. I got it during summer ball and was lifting one day and couldn't walk that night in pain. Thought it was hernia but turns out its varicocele.

Doc ran fertility tests and at 20 years old I had something like only 25% of what a normal guy my age should have in terms of sperm count and mortality and all the other markers of quality were diminished as well. So I went ahead and got it fixed and it was best decision of my life. Painful as all hell and uncomfortable for a week or so like you wouldn't believe, but very much worth it to be pain free and potentially fix fertility issues. Doc said stat then was like a 68% success rate and getting full fertility back with the surgery so I'm hopeful.

Now I've yet to have my follow up semen analysis but my pain is completely gone and I wear a jock strap to lift and play and feel great!! my doctor said that wearing a jock strap to hold the boys up and high while active can help ease discomfort and prevent hernia and further varicocele issues.

I will say I had a prostate infection this year and don't have any signs or symptoms of varicoceles. Just my experience and if anyone has the choice, get the damn thing fixed and ease your pain and your mind. So worth it.

[Leon Kennedy]

Had varicocele fixed two years ago. I'm 22 now and feel phenomenal. I got it during summer ball and was lifting one day and couldn't walk that night in pain. Thought it was hernia but turns out its varicocele.

Doc ran fertility tests and at 20 years old I had something like only 25% of what a normal guy my age should have in terms of sperm count and mortality and all the other markers of quality were diminished as well. So I went ahead and got it fixed and it was best decision of my life. Painful as all hell and uncomfortable for a week or so like you wouldn't believe, but very much worth it to be pain free and potentially fix fertility issues. Doc said stat then was like a 68% success rate and getting full fertility back with the surgery so I'm hopeful.

Now I've yet to have my follow up semen analysis but my pain is completely gone and I wear a jock strap to lift and play and feel great!! my doctor said that wearing a jock strap to hold the boys up and high while active can help ease discomfort and prevent hernia and further varicocele issues.

I will say I had a prostate infection this year and don't have any signs or symptoms of varicoceles. Just my experience and if anyone has the choice, get the damn thing fixed and ease your pain and your mind. So worth it.

Did you have microsurgery, ordinary surgery, or embolization?

[bpclipper10]

Did you have microsurgery, ordinary surgery, or embolization?

Regular. Got a gnarly 3 inch scar on pelvis. Recovery was rough swollen balls and discolored size of tennis balls but worth it nonetheless.

[Leon Kennedy]

Regular. Got a gnarly 3 inch scar on pelvis. Recovery was rough swollen balls and discolored size of tennis balls but worth it nonetheless.

Did they spare the testicular artery?

Tennis ball sized nuts sounds scary and painful.

If I am to have treatment, I think I would go for the embolization though I am not convinced it is a reliable or effective procedure.

[eatdatshrimp]

Was your libido low before surgery? Is it low after surgery?

Low before and after surgery.. not sure what's going on.

[eatdatshrimp]

Did they spare the testicular artery?

Tennis ball sized nuts sounds scary and painful.

If I am to have treatment, I think I would go for the embolization though I am not convinced it is a reliable or effective procedure.

I would say the embolization is effective. My down time was only two days, if that, with no pain. All the viens have subsided and there is also no scar. The only downside is having the coils in.

[Leon Kennedy]

Low before and after surgery.. not sure what's going on.

Did you get T tests before and after?

The reason I ask is because I am considering whether or not to do the embolization. I will get a T blood test soon and will post the results on this thread.

[eatdatshrimp]

Did you get T tests before and after?

The reason I ask is because I am considering whether or not to do the embolization. I will get a T blood test soon and will post the results on this thread.

I only got the tests after unfortunately. For me, the procedure did not affect my hormones. I felt EXACTLY the same before and after. If I had gotten the tests before, I highly doubt there would have been much of a difference in the numbers.

[Leon Kennedy]

I only got the tests after unfortunately. For me, the procedure did not affect my hormones. I felt EXACTLY the same before and after. If I had gotten the tests before, I highly doubt there would have been much of a difference in the numbers.

Thanks.

I got diagnosed with varicocele in 2001. I had the impression it was only on the left but it is actually on both sides, though worse on the left. A T test in 2008 showed a T level of 570 which was good. However, my testicles have shrunk (in my opinion). That's after over 10 years of varicocele. I am pretty sure that the varicoceles have caused shrinkage. Whether that shrinkage will continue or has reached equilibrium is anyone's guess.

I live in the UK and must deal with the NHS. I can't afford private care.

[Leon Kennedy]

I would say the embolization is effective. My down time was only two days, if that, with no pain. All the viens have subsided and there is also no scar. The only downside is having the coils in.

What about the coils - do you feel pain or discomfort?

I read somewhere that it is possible that the coils might shift position and also I think they can't be removed once installed and that an unsuccessful embol may require surgery to ligate the veins.

[bpclipper10]

Yea it was painful but it was worth it. And yes yet sparred the artery. It was not ideal and I didn't hear much in the way of embolism as an option so I just went with the sure thing. Haven't had any reoccurrences or issues. I wear the hock strap to avoid hernia and just for the sake o peace of mind.

[Leon Kennedy]

Yea it was painful but it was worth it. And yes yet sparred the artery. It was not ideal and I didn't hear much in the way of embolism as an option so I just went with the sure thing. Haven't had any reoccurrences or issues. I wear the hock strap to avoid hernia and just for the sake o peace of mind.

Is hernia risk increased following v surgery?