VARICOCELE...can it effect testosterone?

[shyguava]

Yay......another improvement post operation (operation having been performed Sept 29/ 2008) is starting...."morning wood" but not one that is dependant on being full of urine. Its even controllable. I imagined the ugliest woman I work with (no shortage of those) and bang...it worked. Thats not happened in over 1 year (the wood I mean not thinking of Ms Ugly in her tent sized granny pants)Testicular mass is very good too compared to pre op. Not the testicular sac but the actual testicles themselves. I might yet chisel a statue of my Vietnamese Andrologist and place it in a prominant place within my garden.

 

[darkblue1]

I lost weight when I was in pain from the varicocele..maybe like 5 6 pounds...I was just constantly tired....but Im back into my 150 pound range now...I haven't worked out intensively since June, so it makes sense I am not as strong as before, and I dont plan to work out much yet until maybe 2 more months, I dont wanna burst a vein or anything...but I have been biking and I am slowly gaining my speed and power back...I think my libido increased after surgery, but that can also be change in hormones at my age, not too sure...I hope that helped


Arent you worried too much biking can lead to sterility. Do a Google search and you will see that there is a link to the two. Personally I used to ride a bike that was a chopper design as a kid. We called them Dragsters in Australia. A big fat back tire and a smaller front one, with a chopper style seat in the Easy Rider style. Damn cool. You dont see them anymore. These days kids just want BMX,, Mountain bikes or Racing style with the razor thin tyres. But the seat of those old Dragsters meant your little guys werent compressed and at risk of damage if you bumped off the kerb. Also they stayed cooler as you were seated back in the saddle with the breeze blowing up your shorts (lol...sorry too much info their but in a climate with 40C temps you went out in T shirt and shorts I can tell you) and not pressing down on the saddle as these modern bikes do. Damn hard seats too now-a-days. Almost weapons if you get one off the bike.

Are you 7 feet 6 inches and 150 pounds

 

[shyguava]

Are you 7 feet 6 inches and 150 pounds

No...I put the 7ft 6 and 450pounds on my ID as a joke. 181cm and 80kg is correct.

 

[Coriakin]

Hi everyone,

I am 14 years old, and I think I have a varicocele. I would be glad if anyone could give me advice/information.

Anyway, over time above my left testicle there was this forming "mass", I guess you could say. I never really thought about it until one day I felt it and realized how big it was. So, I checked up on testicular problems on wikipedia, and none of them seemed to fit the description until I read about varicoceles. I knew what it was talking about as soon as I read it described as feeling like "a bag of worms".

Last time I went to the pediatrician was this summer around June, and he didn't say anything about it, although I'm quite sure it was smaller back then. So I'm not completely sure it is a varicocele. I would best describe it as a rather squishy mass above the testicle that actually partly wraps around the testicle, and it goes all the way up to the top. I can actually stick my fingers through it. It is larger than the testicle. However, I don't think it has began shrinking to bad, because both of the testicles are about the same size.

Although it seems horribly large in size, there is no pain at all. I always sleep very well, and the only side effect I have noticed is my left testicle sometimes feels heavy and it hangs rather significantly lower than the right one.

Based on this information, do you think I have a varicocele? And should I arrange an appointment with a specialized doctor, or just wait until my pediatrician looks at it next year?

THANK YOU SO MUCH for any help/advice/encouragement anyone here can give me. I've been stressed out ever since I looked into this a week ago, and was delighted to find this thread!

 

[MuscleBound1337]

Go see a urologist... He'll probably send you for an ultrasound if he thinks it's large enough to cause atrophy.

 

[uptempo]

Hi everyone,

I am 14 years old, and I think I have a varicocele. I would be glad if anyone could give me advice/information.

Anyway, over time above my left testicle there was this forming "mass", I guess you could say. I never really thought about it until one day I felt it and realized how big it was. So, I checked up on testicular problems on wikipedia, and none of them seemed to fit the description until I read about varicoceles. I knew what it was talking about as soon as I read it described as feeling like "a bag of worms".

Last time I went to the pediatrician was this summer around June, and he didn't say anything about it, although I'm quite sure it was smaller back then. So I'm not completely sure it is a varicocele. I would best describe it as a rather squishy mass above the testicle that actually partly wraps around the testicle, and it goes all the way up to the top. I can actually stick my fingers through it. It is larger than the testicle. However, I don't think it has began shrinking to bad, because both of the testicles are about the same size.

Although it seems horribly large in size, there is no pain at all. I always sleep very well, and the only side effect I have noticed is my left testicle sometimes feels heavy and it hangs rather significantly lower than the right one.

Based on this information, do you think I have a varicocele? And should I arrange an appointment with a specialized doctor, or just wait until my pediatrician looks at it next year?

THANK YOU SO MUCH for any help/advice/encouragement anyone here can give me. I've been stressed out ever since I looked into this a week ago, and was delighted to find this thread!

Yes, I would definitely check it out...nice you found this thread...lots of helpful info here...if it really feels like abag of worms, heavy dragging feeling in the scrotum then you might have varicocele...but can't know for sure unless you get it checked out.

 

[bLaf]

Hi guys,

I'm 20 now. When I was 17, I was diagnosed with varicocele. The urologist said that it was from the bigger ones and he advised an operation. It was a small operation, almost painless. It seemed that it fixed the problem(at least there wasn't any pain down there anymore).

However, a few months ago I started practicing judo. That means body stretches, very active warm ups and many other active and dynamic physical exercises. I don't know exactly why, but it seems that all this physical work caused my left testicle to start aching again. I noticed that there's a new "formation" in there. It seems some new veins have started to swell up.

The pain is accompanied with a lowered libido and weakness as a whole. All symptoms point to a new varicocele.

Please, give me any advice about this! I've already had an operation, but it's coming back.

I'm very unsure about reporting this to an urologist, because he might advise another operation(just when the scar from the old one is starting to disappear), and I wonder how many years the cure from an eventually new operation will last?

Regards!

 

[uptempo]

what kind of operation did you have?

 

[MuscleBound1337]

Hi guys,

I'm 20 now. When I was 17, I was diagnosed with varicocele. The urologist said that it was from the bigger ones and he advised an operation. It was a small operation, almost painless. It seemed that it fixed the problem(at least there wasn't any pain down there anymore).

However, a few months ago I started practicing judo. That means body stretches, very active warm ups and many other active and dynamic physical exercises. I don't know exactly why, but it seems that all this physical work caused my left testicle to start aching again. I noticed that there's a new "formation" in there. It seems some new veins have started to swell up.

The pain is accompanied with a lowered libido and weakness as a whole. All symptoms point to a new varicocele.

Please, give me any advice about this! I've already had an operation, but it's coming back.

I'm very unsure about reporting this to an urologist, because he might advise another operation(just when the scar from the old one is starting to disappear), and I wonder how many years the cure from an eventually new operation will last?

Regards!

Go back to see the urologist. I had an operation a couple years ago too, and the doc told me i'd always have a hard spot of scar tissue where the varicocele was. They actually had to cut veins out of mine I guess it was big.. And I was pretty sure it was coming back and i went back to him and he just told me I was feeling my epididymis... That didn't really make too much sense to me. I was like okay but my right testicle's epididymis doesn't feel like that and he told me something at the time that satisfied my question, tho i can't remember it now.. But that was like a year ago and I'm pretty positive it's back because it's larger...

 

[uptempo]

Go back to see the urologist. I had an operation a couple years ago too, and the doc told me i'd always have a hard spot of scar tissue where the varicocele was. They actually had to cut veins out of mine I guess it was big.. And I was pretty sure it was coming back and i went back to him and he just told me I was feeling my epididymis... That didn't really make too much sense to me. I was like okay but my right testicle's epididymis doesn't feel like that and he told me something at the time that satisfied my question, tho i can't remember it now.. But that was like a year ago and I'm pretty positive it's back because it's larger...

the urologist did not take out the old enlarged veins from your previous surgery? my urologist took out this long big vein and put it in a jar and asked if i wanted it. Maybe thats why I am still in small light pain randomly sometimes...its been two months since my op.

 

[MuscleBound1337]

Yes he did.. I don't think they take them all out if they can be tied off or whatever, but that's why i have a lump of scar tissue from it being cut out. I don't think I had much pain after a month.. I only had pain when I walked for the first 2 weeks.. After a month I was back to lifting.

 

[uptempo]

thats interesting and kind of shocking how varicocele can come back liek that...the doctor was telling me the chance of reoccurence was around 1%...do you guys think this could be tied to strenous exercises whether itd be running, biking, lifting weights or even perhaps a lot of sexual activity such as increasing blood flow in that area?

 

[K1212]

thats interesting and kind of shocking how varicocele can come back liek that...the doctor was telling me the chance of reoccurence was around 1%...do you guys think this could be tied to strenous exercises whether itd be running, biking, lifting weights or even perhaps a lot of sexual activity such as increasing blood flow in that area?

Doctors dont know crap, I think they just like telling patients what they want to hear and when something happens they say "oops"

If you ask me it only makes sense these things reform or problems happen, I mean you are basically tieing off veins and the blood flow has to redirect somewhere, especially if you are active and allow the blood to flow, I mean if you have the surgery and are basically dead meat and dont do anything maybe they wont reform and no problems will arise

god mother ****ing damn it I still cant believe this **** happened to me

 

[uptempo]

well what happened already happened...stop looking to the past cause you can't do anything about it...look for solutions now instead...or else your just gonna be constantly sad.

 

[bLaf]

Thanks for the answers

what kind of operation did you have?

The conventional operation - a small 2 cm cut on the left side of the groin. The surgeon said the operation consisted of simply tying the bad veins off so no blood could flow through them. Nothing special.

I think I'll try some alternative techniques. For example, I read that alternating cold and hot local baths may help develop stronger vein valves. Actually, in a medical article from around 1920 (before varicocelectomy was invented) I see that the doctor advised his varicocele patients to swim in cold water.

I also read that eating carrots and spinach is widely used in curing varicose veins on the legs. Varicocele is, basically, a varicose vein in the testicle so I think those could help me

Yes, this is major old-school stuff, but it seems it's not harmful, so I will give it a try.

If I see no improvement for a period of 1-2 weeks, I'll definitely go see an urologist.

However, I strongly hope that something will be improved. If some of those alternative treatments really work out, I'll post about them here

Regards!

 

[Coriakin]

Hey,

I'm going to tell my parents about this soon, I guess, but I'm just wondering whether you guys think it would be better for me to go to my normal doctor who does physicals check-ups, or just go to a urologist first (I haven't been diagnosed with a varicocele yet, but I'm pretty sure that's what it is).

Also, if I do have to get surgery of some type and am given the option, which would be better: Surgery where they actually cut open the testicle, or embolization (or whatever that other procedure is called)?

 

[uptempo]

ok im not sure if where you live is like this but usually you might need a referral from your general physician to see a urologist..as for surgery option I would go for the microsurgery varicocelectomy as the embolization usually has a higher chance of reoccurence and some people are afraid that the coil could end up going to the heart...(based on what I've heard)...just my two cents...good luck...

 

[MuscleBound1337]

Damn two cm.. Mine's like two inches

 

[MuscleBound1337]

Hey,

I'm going to tell my parents about this soon, I guess, but I'm just wondering whether you guys think it would be better for me to go to my normal doctor who does physicals check-ups, or just go to a urologist first (I haven't been diagnosed with a varicocele yet, but I'm pretty sure that's what it is).

Also, if I do have to get surgery of some type and am given the option, which would be better: Surgery where they actually cut open the testicle, or embolization (or whatever that other procedure is called)?

That's what I did.. I really didn't know what it was and was worried about it. I had never heard of varicocele before. GP pretty much diagnosed it as that and referred me to a urologist. The urologist said that's what it was and did the surgery. Told my mom about it and apparently my father had one and my grandfather, so I think it's a genetic thing.

 

[uptempo]

If you are waiting on surgery, I would recommend taking some fish oil. You can easily get good quality for a large amount at costco. I have heard that fish oil helps blood vessels/veins....I took it before and it seemed to help in speeding up recovery on the pulling pain on the veins after the post surgery...I have no idea if this actually helped it or it was just a mental thing... but it doesn't hurt to try..nevertheless I can't guarantee anything...fish oil in general helps a lot of things in general..

Here might be a useful link..good luck

Invalid Link Removed

 

[K1212]

wow, I must say the strangest of strangest coincidences has happened to me, may not be a good thing

I am here doing research on the mai lai massacre in vietnam and was reading an article about this guy who was responsible for this massacre and came across this article from the UK Invalid Link Removed

Then I scrolled down and noticed this headline on the side that said "Talented student killed himself after a routine operation"

Something in me told me I have a feeling it was the Varicocele surgery, maybe it is because I have been basically left in a suicidal depression since I recieved this in July or maybe something else, but sure enough I click it and it was the Varicocele surgery
Invalid Link Removed

Seriously this is the weirdest thing I ever saw, just cuz I constantly think about it

And it is funny how the people are blaming the anaesthetic , I promise the loss of libido in a man is enough to trigger a suicidal depression


I wonder if this guy posted on this site at all as it says he contacted websites about the concerns after the surgery

It is also funny how they said the surgeon didnt respond(not sure I believe he didnt get the messages) , I dont know how it is in the UK, but here in America the doctors basically want you to get the surgery done so they get the nice big fat paycheck then after they basically dont give a **** about you

Here is another article about this Invalid Link Removed

I wonder how many other people may have killed themselves over this thing

 

[shyguava]

wow, I must say the strangest of strangest coincidences has happened to me, may not be a good thing

I am here doing research on the mai lai massacre in vietnam and was reading an article about this guy who was responsible for this massacre and came across this article from the UK Invalid Link Removed

Then I scrolled down and noticed this headline on the side that said "Talented student killed himself after a routine operation"

Something in me told me I have a feeling it was the Varicocele surgery, maybe it is because I have been basically left in a suicidal depression since I recieved this in July or maybe something else, but sure enough I click it and it was the Varicocele surgery
Invalid Link Removed

Seriously this is the weirdest thing I ever saw, just cuz I constantly think about it

And it is funny how the people are blaming the anaesthetic , I promise the loss of libido in a man is enough to trigger a suicidal depression


I wonder if this guy posted on this site at all as it says he contacted websites about the concerns after the surgery

It is also funny how they said the surgeon didnt respond(not sure I believe he didnt get the messages) , I dont know how it is in the UK, but here in America the doctors basically want you to get the surgery done so they get the nice big fat paycheck then after they basically dont give a **** about you

Did the guy who did the massacre at My-Lai blame his varicocele? If not then I am confused what this has to do with this thread. My wife is Vietnamese so no I am not making fun of a tragic situation but gee do we need to be reminded of it.

 

[K1212]

Did the guy who did the massacre at My-Lai blame his varicocele? If not then I am confused what this has to do with this thread. My wife is Vietnamese so no I am not making fun of a tragic situation but gee do we need to be reminded of it.

no I probably shouldnt have brought it up, like I said I was researching the mai lai massacre and came across and article about it on that website, then by strange coincidence I noticed the headline on the side and had a feeling it was over the varicocele surgery and sure enough I clicked it and it was

just a strange coincidence how I was reading about something completly obscure and this varicocele thing came up

 

[axa0176]

Hi all,

Hi,

I'm 29 & I just saw a urologist a couple weeks ago and he confirmed that I had a varicocele. I'm not sure when this started, but I have been suffering from low-T for a while now, as well as other things like thyroid & maybe adrenal although I'm not sure if it's related. My scrotum is almost always tight, expect sometimes at night when I feel it gets relaxed and my testicles tend to hang.

The doctor I was seeing about my T-levels gave me HcG I noticed some growth in my testicles and that's when I really started to take notice of the 'bag of worms' and I came across the term varicocele and then saw the urologist.

I guess I didn't notice the varicocele much before b/c of testicular atrophy and/or my scrotum always being tight and I just thought it was the epidydmis or something.

This varicocele has never really given me pain, but I do have low T levels and I'm wondering if can be impacting my whole system of hormones and my fertility as I am engaged. I heard that for insurance purposes, you have to say you are getting discomfort from it in order to be covered.

I would really love some advice from you all about the options and the overall pre/post Operation experience.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Coriakin]

Hi Axa,

I just realized how big this "bag of worms" was a few days ago, and I am fairly sure its a varicocele. I'm going to get an appointment at my pediatrician soon so he can check it out.

I don't think atrophy has really begun taking place yet as this thing started forming only about 1 year or so ago. But like you, I have felt no pain at all which I am glad for.

And about this insurance stuff, I don't know if what you said is true or not, but it has been causing you discomfort despite no pain, right? I imagine the tight scrotum is uncomfortable, and low T levels surely causes mental discomfort if not physical also.

I am also wondering about this operation experience. How long does discomfort last, and what is the discomfort like? What's the operation like?

 

[uptempo]

discomfort before surgery include pulling on scrotum...low hanging testicles..unable to run or power walk whatsoever...MUST have an athletic supporter or briefs...pain aching near the base of the penis on the left and right sides (lower abs) due to pooling of blood...

after the surgery...possible discomfort can come from the incision site...local edema (or liquid buildup in your testicles, happened to me)..went away around 2-3 weeks...suggested athletic supporter use at least for 7 days..varies between individuals..

my surgery was one night stay...surgery started in the evening..takes about an hour and half or two depending on your doctor's experience...general anesthesia is used..woke up around 3 am in the morning..managed to sleep till in the morning..then you leave the hospital...(depending on person, some can walk fine afterwards, I was limping for at least the first two days)...and usually you check back to your doctor a week or two after surgery, then three months after...

 

[axa0176]

Thanks uptempo for sharing your experience!

Coriakin,

What I meant by the insurance is that the doctor told me that unless you complain about discomfort, insurance will just assume it's for fertility and they won't cover it. You have to complain about pain to get it covered is what he told me was his experience with the insurance companies.

It hasn't been causing me discomfort in terms of achy balls or the dull type of pain you get when you get hit there, but my scrotum is almost always tight, sometimes my scrotum gets to be the size of what a little boy's would be.

I'm thinking maybe my issues with low-T are partly due to the varicocele. I also have had mood + other hormonal issues along with increasing difficulty sleeping so I'm wondering how much it potentially has to do with the varicocele and its impact on my endocrine system.

I'm not sure how much testicular damage has been done b/c I'm not exactly sure how long I had this varicocele....but when I got on TRT briefly last year with Test-Cyp, HcG, and anastrozole.

When I saw the Testosterone doctor, he examined my testicles (which are real sensitive to the touch) and he mentioned he noticed no varicocele. Unfortunately, he couldn't detect considering how tight my scrotum was. However, that word stuck with me and I kept it in the back of my mind.

When he started back up with HcG in September to see if my balls would respond, I noticed my testicles responded in size and usually by around bedtime, they would hang free & loose. Nighttime seems to be when I have my largest erections and libido too.

When my sac expanded and my ball size (esp. the right one) increased, I noticed the "bag of worms" and decided to see a urologist about it and he noticed it pretty fast.

He then gave me a lab slip to do a semen analysis and said we would go from there.

Given the number of issues I've had progressively since around 19 to now, I think it may have to do with a varicocele getting progressively worse. Maybe my hormones will get back to normal if I have this varicocele removed.

I'm going to ask my doctor for an ultrasound, but I think it may be pointless to do an ultrasound considering I DO have a varicocele.

 

[darkblue1]

Thanks uptempo for sharing your experience!

Coriakin,

What I meant by the insurance is that the doctor told me that unless you complain about discomfort, insurance will just assume it's for fertility and they won't cover it. You have to complain about pain to get it covered is what he told me was his experience with the insurance companies.

It hasn't been causing me discomfort in terms of achy balls or the dull type of pain you get when you get hit there, but my scrotum is almost always tight, sometimes my scrotum gets to be the size of what a little boy's would be.

I'm thinking maybe my issues with low-T are partly due to the varicocele. I also have had mood + other hormonal issues along with increasing difficulty sleeping so I'm wondering how much it potentially has to do with the varicocele and its impact on my endocrine system.

I'm not sure how much testicular damage has been done b/c I'm not exactly sure how long I had this varicocele....but when I got on TRT briefly last year with Test-Cyp, HcG, and anastrozole.

When I saw the Testosterone doctor, he examined my testicles (which are real sensitive to the touch) and he mentioned he noticed no varicocele. Unfortunately, he couldn't detect considering how tight my scrotum was. However, that word stuck with me and I kept it in the back of my mind.

When he started back up with HcG in September to see if my balls would respond, I noticed my testicles responded in size and usually by around bedtime, they would hang free & loose. Nighttime seems to be when I have my largest erections and libido too.

When my sac expanded and my ball size (esp. the right one) increased, I noticed the "bag of worms" and decided to see a urologist about it and he noticed it pretty fast.

He then gave me a lab slip to do a semen analysis and said we would go from there.

Given the number of issues I've had progressively since around 19 to now, I think it may have to do with a varicocele getting progressively worse. Maybe my hormones will get back to normal if I have this varicocele removed.

I'm going to ask my doctor for an ultrasound, but I think it may be pointless to do an ultrasound considering I DO have a varicocele.

If your semen analysis results are ok (normal) then your doctor may not suggest for surgery, even though you say you have pain.
You need to get Ultra sound to know what grade of varicocele you have.
DOnt use HCG because it will stop the body from producing naturla LH.

 

[axa0176]

Hi darkblue1,

The doctor just wanted to see if my testes would respond to HCG to determine if I had primary hypogonadism or not. Now that there's a varicocele in the mix, maybe that's something that has to be taken into account as to why my Testosterone levels are so low.

So the HCG isn't a permanent solution.

I will ask the doctor to get an ultrasound done when I have my appointment with him next week.

 

[darkblue1]

Hi darkblue1,

The doctor just wanted to see if my testes would respond to HCG to determine if I had primary hypogonadism or not. Now that there's a varicocele in the mix, maybe that's something that has to be taken into account as to why my Testosterone levels are so low.

So the HCG isn't a permanent solution.

I will ask the doctor to get an ultrasound done when I have my appointment with him next week.

Did you get your LH, FSH levels tested

 

[shyguava]

no I probably shouldnt have brought it up, like I said I was researching the mai lai massacre and came across and article about it on that website, then by strange coincidence I noticed the headline on the side and had a feeling it was over the varicocele surgery and sure enough I clicked it and it was

just a strange coincidence how I was reading about something completly obscure and this varicocele thing came up

Ah I see what you mean now. I was a bit slow. Sorry. I added a comment to the article. But when you look for it via the My Lai link you cant find it. But I clicked your other link and found it. Strange.

 

[uptempo]

man bad news for me...I am starting to feel pain again..not like the pain before surgery...but the pain right after surgery..i have no ideaa why this pain/uncomfort is coming back after being normal for around 2 weeks

 

[K1212]

man bad news for me...I am starting to feel pain again..not like the pain before surgery...but the pain right after surgery..i have no ideaa why this pain/uncomfort is coming back after being normal for around 2 weeks

damn does anyone have success stories with these things, it seems the doctors make believe there is low recurrence or problems after surgery but everyone I talk to seems to have some problems

 

[uptempo]

right now I am not sure if its reoccuring or not...but pain coming back after 2 and a half months is starting to worry me...the pain is sort of hard to describe..its like pulsating pain...i am not sure if its blood pooling around there again but its primarily on my left side where I got the surgery done..ehh...whatever happens happens I guess..can't expect much...never really thought I was going to be completely normal after surgery anyways...there goes life for ya

 

[shyguava]

damn does anyone have success stories with these things, it seems the doctors make believe there is low recurrence or problems after surgery but everyone I talk to seems to have some problems

I am having success. The sperm quality (forget testing at this stage as I will do that early next year) or appearance rather pre op was a yellowish clear look. Since operation its thick and white like clouds which is what I remember from better days. Pain? No. But I definately think its improved a lot of things in me. I feel more relaxed, calm and balanced, alpha malish instead of submissive and moody (its not me faking it. Definately its internal). Libido is up but ED issues remain but before I had no morning wood. Now I have a broom handle every morning. I just need the ability to "do it" on command to return. Thats the one thing missing at this point otherwise total success.

 

[uptempo]

im thinkin if masturbation or just sexual activity worsens this post varicocele surgery thing...any one have any thoughts on this? Ive read that masturbation supposedly has nothing to do with it...

 

[axa0176]

I am having success. The sperm quality (forget testing at this stage as I will do that early next year) or appearance rather pre op was a yellowish clear look. Since operation its thick and white like clouds which is what I remember from better days. Pain? No. But I definately think its improved a lot of things in me. I feel more relaxed, calm and balanced, alpha malish instead of submissive and moody (its not me faking it. Definately its internal). Libido is up but ED issues remain but before I had no morning wood. Now I have a broom handle every morning. I just need the ability to "do it" on command to return. Thats the one thing missing at this point otherwise total success.

shyguava,

That's actually very interesting! I just got diagnosed with a varicocele and I think it caused me to have low T-levels.

I started to get on HCG before I noticed I had a varicocele and I started to respond to HCG and my testicles increased...(at least the right one more)

Then I started to notice my ejaculate increase in volume and my sperm went back to milky white instead of that yellowish tinge.

I'm wondering if my varicocele could be affecting my mood...I heard the testicles create pregnenolone and that is essential for mood.

 

[shyguava]

shyguava,

That's actually very interesting! I just got diagnosed with a varicocele and I think it caused me to have low T-levels.

I started to get on HCG before I noticed I had a varicocele and I started to respond to HCG and my testicles increased...(at least the right one more)

Then I started to notice my ejaculate increase in volume and my sperm went back to milky white instead of that yellowish tinge.

I'm wondering if my varicocele could be affecting my mood...I heard the testicles create pregnenolone and that is essential for mood.

Ah axa. Apologies. I have been meaning to PM you in response to private message you sent but as usual I go so mentally numb as a result of my boring (but well paid work) that it slips my mind. Testiclular health is very underrated.

They have a part to play in Testosterone production and if your T is low you can suffer from the following:

Invalid Link Removed

For each person, it is important to weigh the risks and benefits of treatment. However, the risks of continuing deficient testosterone levels are clear. They include:

1. Heart attacks.
2. Strokes.
3. Prostate cancer, possibly other cancers (from unbalanced estrogens actions).
4. Chronic fatigue and difficulty coping with stress (accompanying adrenal fatigue/insufficiency that secondarily occurs with low testosterone levels)
5. Excessive anxiety, stress, irritability, anger outbursts (the irritable male syndrome)
6. Severe depression.
7. Impaired memory and attention, difficulty learning new material (some to the extent of a dementia-like syndrome).
8. Impaired fertility - if low FSH/LH levels or FSH/LH resistance are the cause of low testosterone levels.
9. Lack of libido, erectile dysfunction - often bandaged with Viagra, but with undiagnosed testosterone deficiency as a direct cause.
10. Obesity - which is difficult to treat with diet alone - which can lead to arthritic conditions.
11. Diabetes
12. Loss of muscle mass.
13. Osteoporosis
14. Impaired immune system.
15. Reduced reaction time, quickness of reaction, mental quickness (from reduced dopamine levels, insulin-resistance associated with testosterone deficiency - among other associated changes)

So shrinking testicles which are not getting the correct blood flow, oxygen , temperature (remember they hand outside for a reason...not so they can be cooked) arent the best outcome for you. Varicoceles fail to deliver all three of those responsibilities. The veins are too wide for blood to easily migrate back through the vascular system. So it pools. In pooling it makes your testes hot (my veins were on average - the varicocele affected ones - 4+ times wider than a normal testicular veins). The blood is not getting reoxygenated and its accumulating toxins as it has to pass through the liver and kidneys etc as well as heart to get cleaned and reoxygenated.

Basically I cant see how doctors dont get it. But somehow they love to just tell you not to worry and that its not a big deal. Then they will tell you of the reports that say men with varicocele can have children too. Well great for them I say.

There are many hormones that affect male well being. The Pituitary glands, Thyroid and Testicles all contribute. You need tests run on all three, blood tests etc to see what the hormone levels are in each. The biggest problem even then is that if you are say within the so called normal range (eg# Testosterone = 254 - 1000 or close to that) at say 270 then the doctor may cop out and say "Gee Axa...you are within normal range. But seriously.....you dont want to accept that - you have to be forceful and tell the doctor that nothing at the low end of anything is good. You want to see that improve. And if he isnt going to do anything then you warn him he will get no more money from you as you will see someone else. You pay. So you demand. Thats my approach in the next few months to specialists. Perform or no more money.

At least in your case your doctor is doing something by giving HCG.

But if you are riddle with varicoceles, and in pain then you might want to question as to whether he can do something for you as the Testicles can do without it.

 

[K1212]

For each person, it is important to weigh the risks and benefits of treatment. However, the risks of continuing deficient testosterone levels are clear. They include:

1. Heart attacks.
.

what is the reason for increased heart attacks, I must say I have been getting weird bad chest pains in the last few days

 

[shyguava]

what is the reason for increased heart attacks, I must say I have been getting weird bad chest pains in the last few days

Strange thing is I had some shooting pains in the left side of the chest a few times pre op.

I found this:

Invalid Link Removed

Which says:

Increased risk of cardiovascular disease - more and more clinical studies are supporting the conclusion the healthy testosterone levels are necessary for good heart health and avoiding low testosterone symptoms. As testosterone levels decrease , the following are known to occur:


- higher blood pressure levels that can increase heart attack risks
- higher cholesterol and triglycerides levels which lead to higher arterial plaque levels
- dialation of coronary arteries and other major arteries decreases that increases heart attack risk
- increased fibrinogen levels which increases the likelihood of a blood clot blocking a major artery will result in a heart attack


Low testosterone symptoms can be effectively dealt with by correcting low testosterone and related hormones along with certain lifestyle modifications.

And this: Invalid Link Removed

Men with low blood testosterone levels are extraordinarily likely to get heart attacks (1), even though testosterone pills lower blood levels of the good HDL cholesterol and increase a man's chances of getting a heart attack. Men with the highest testosterone levels have the lowest blood insulin levels which prevents heart attacks (2). Insulin is necessary to keep blood sugar levels from rising too high, but it also can increase your chances of getting a heart attack by causing arteries to constrict, and making you fat by causing hunger and forcing your liver to make extra fat from the extra calories that you consume.


Testosterone injections can make older men with low blood levels of testosterone more interested in making love (1,2,3). The only reported significant side effect is an increase in the concentration of red blood cells that could cause clots. As men age from 50 to 70, their testosterone levels drop more than 40%, causing them to become fatter, and less sexual, muscular and assertive, and have smaller, weaker bones (4,8). Two major theoretical concerns about prescribing testosterone to older men are that they may cause a heart attack or spread an existing prostate cancer. However, only testosterone pills have been shown to lower blood levels of the good HDL cholesterol and cause heart attacks. Testosterone injections and skin patches do not (5,6,9).



****************************************

So it appears that doctors who fob us off by saying "Oh yes you have low T but you are still within the "normal range" are basically playing with our safety as well as intelligence. Higher T is better. Therefore dont rest till your doctor gets their finger out.

 

[uptempo]

yes i remember having chest pains also before my pre op.

 

[axa0176]

Hi shyguava,

I have a feeling that I have had this varicocele for a long time and it is the root of some of my endocrine issues, which I think cause issues with my mood, circadian rhytym, etc.

For example, my scrotum is always tight except for nighttime, usually when I'm going to bed. This is the period when I'm most mentally active, and my libido is highest....

I think the irregular blood flow accumulating toxins and re-circulating in my body could be causing my mood and endocrine issues. I noticed that as I took HCG, my varicocele increased in size and it could be that is blocking the effect of LH/FSH stimulation.

I noticed that if I drink DragonWell green tea my mood improves almost instantly....it could be having an anti-toxin effect.

God knows how long I've had this varicocele, one thing I know is that I hope to definitely get this surgery and see what clears up.

 

[shyguava]

yes i remember having chest pains also before my pre op.

For a few months before I would be talking to someone at work or family at home and it would suddenly be this crippling pain in the left side (the sort you get when you have air trapped in the lungs when you inhale). Peeps think you are conning them or playing game but it was pretty damn worrying. The ones at work always walk off as if they are in a rush to halve their tea break for the first time ever and get back to their work station (like YEAH!). Family just give you some explanation like "it must be a nerve trapped dear" or "dont stress and think too much". Well it wasnt a nerver and I was pretty damn relaxed just before it happened. Unless listening to Neil Diamond is equivalent of landing a Boeing 747 in the night with a cross wind and no instruments. Dorks.

 

[shyguava]

Hi shyguava,

I have a feeling that I have had this varicocele for a long time and it is the root of some of my endocrine issues, which I think cause issues with my mood, circadian rhytym, etc.

For example, my scrotum is always tight except for nighttime, usually when I'm going to bed. This is the period when I'm most mentally active, and my libido is highest....

I think the irregular blood flow accumulating toxins and re-circulating in my body could be causing my mood and endocrine issues. I noticed that as I took HCG, my varicocele increased in size and it could be that is blocking the effect of LH/FSH stimulation.

I noticed that if I drink DragonWell green tea my mood improves almost instantly....it could be having an anti-toxin effect.

God knows how long I've had this varicocele, one thing I know is that I hope to definitely get this surgery and see what clears up.

Hey axa....when you check (feel or look) at testicles - see what looks like a bag of worms trying to jut out from the testicular sack. If your varicocele is really bad the sack around the testes look like you have thick worms stored in it. Mine did. Some extreme ones really fill the whole sack up (see the pics online say on google images option on your Google screen (top right of screen) - type in varicocele grade 3 or extreme varicocele or varicocele bag of worms etc to see what you get) (I got plenty of good images so try and you will see what you have to look for) or do a google search for varicocele +bag of worms +photo of, or some key words to that effect and you can often be treated to some websites (medical) with some pic examples. If you have that then you know you are in the servere category.

Dragonwell Green tea....thats going on my next shopping list. Anything that helps I try.

 

[uptempo]

green tea helps it? I am getting that blood pooling feel near the upper base of my penis again between the lower lower abs....this sucks!!!!!....

 

[axa0176]

uptempo,
The green tea was about the mood as in overall wellbeing, not specifically varicocele-related.

shyguava,

I got the DragonWell green tea from vitamaker.com...it seems to help when I can't focus or concentrate

When I feel the mass, sometimes it does look like a sack of worms but it depends on how full & loose my scrotum is. For some strange reason, my scrotum almost always seems to be tight & small....that's why my first doctor missed the varicocele. I don't know what it is or what I have to do about it, but maybe it has to do w/ my testicular atrophy b/c it was initially better under HCG, my testes would get fuller, particularly my right one. But when that happened, it seemed like my varicocele was much more noticeable as well. I don't know whether it grew w/ my testes, or it just showed itself more.

With how tight & compact my scrotum usually is, I don't think it's normal or healthy and possibly due to the the testicular atrophy when I was low-T when my scrotum didn't want to get away from the body heat....just a wild inference.

 

[shyguava]

uptempo,
The green tea was about the mood as in overall wellbeing, not specifically varicocele-related.

shyguava,

I got the DragonWell green tea from vitamaker.com...it seems to help when I can't focus or concentrate

When I feel the mass, sometimes it does look like a sack of worms but it depends on how full & loose my scrotum is. For some strange reason, my scrotum almost always seems to be tight & small....that's why my first doctor missed the varicocele. I don't know what it is or what I have to do about it, but maybe it has to do w/ my testicular atrophy b/c it was initially better under HCG, my testes would get fuller, particularly my right one. But when that happened, it seemed like my varicocele was much more noticeable as well. I don't know whether it grew w/ my testes, or it just showed itself more.

With how tight & compact my scrotum usually is, I don't think it's normal or healthy and possibly due to the the testicular atrophy when I was low-T when my scrotum didn't want to get away from the body heat....just a wild inference.

What is your Testosterone and Free Testostone readings from you last blood test?

 

[shyguava]

green tea helps it? I am getting that blood pooling feel near the upper base of my penis again between the lower lower abs....this sucks!!!!!....

Not being funny here. But dont play with it. I think it takes a while for the veins that arent ligated to handle the extra blood flow that used to flow through the ligated veins. Of course Doctors say within a month you can do business as usual but I am always more cautious than that. Let it rest till 3rd month mark. Then let the cat out of the bag.

You might also be experiencing the testes expanding. Atrophy should have been halted by the operation. Its possible the expansion might cause some discomfort too. A lot of changes. I was told that by 9 months the testicle should be at its peak. Basically whatever benefits an operation on a varicocele can yield will occur between 3 - 9 months fertility wise. So obviously its not a dormant thing but adjusting itself. Dont think too much. I look at it this way. My left side was like a spongey marble before. Now its gained some mass and is harder. I feel a little pain in it from time to time. Usually when I think too much about my wife (like when she insists on herself going to a crowded public beach in a waste high black thong. Naturally I dont complain. ). She is enough to get a shiver out of a dead Pharoah.

 

[axa0176]

shyguava,

Before I started on the HCG my last result was 197. Then I got on the HCG and my last result came back 420 or so with about 1.5 months on the HCG.

As for the testes expansion causing pain theory, I think I felt a bit initially on the HCG....maybe it's growing pains from the atrophied testicles.

That made me a bit optimistic b/c I hope there's still some life down there....maybe the obstacle the varicocele is presenting is making life hard for my testes....not to mention that point you brought up about the non-oxygenated blood etc.

What was your experience? Did you get your varicocele removed in Vietnam? I will make another appointment to see the urologist soon and I hope to have surgery early next year when I can schedule a little vacation time.

 

[shyguava]

shyguava,

Before I started on the HCG my last result was 197. Then I got on the HCG and my last result came back 420 or so with about 1.5 months on the HCG.

As for the testes expansion causing pain theory, I think I felt a bit initially on the HCG....maybe it's growing pains from the atrophied testicles.

That made me a bit optimistic b/c I hope there's still some life down there....maybe the obstacle the varicocele is presenting is making life hard for my testes....not to mention that point you brought up about the non-oxygenated blood etc.

What was your experience? Did you get your varicocele removed in Vietnam? I will make another appointment to see the urologist soon and I hope to have surgery early next year when I can schedule a little vacation time.

Yes I had 11 varicoceles ligated. And got to see the operation being performed at the same time. Just watched the mirror above me and saw the doctor cutting in and doing the ligation process. I had bilateral varicocele. Any organ that doesnt get a clean and proper supply of blood will suffer big time. So doctors cant kid me its not the same down below. I had to go to Vietnam (my wifes country) to get the op performed. This lot in Australia just dithered and delayed (worse than the Australian cricket team for bad performances) and told me to come back in a year. And I saw several specialists. Some didnt even diagnose the varicocele. I only learned how bad it was on a holiday to Vietnam when my wife took me to a hospital when the pains became too bad.

Shrinkage occurs a lot by peeps on steroids too. Those Mr Universe types - they hardly have any testicles. Take them off the steroids and the testes go back to normal. So they can and do shrink and expand. Its possible as they are living proof. I remember the doc in Vietnam had this device that is like a visual aid to the different sizes of testicles (nice white ivory looking things on a string). Mine he reckoned to be at the wrong end of that scale. The ones at the top end were like buffalo testicles lol. Mine were like marbles. Well things have improved since then thankfully.:bow28: