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VARICOCELE...can it effect testosterone?

Not necessarily, mine was pretty much as you describe, and it's now noticeable that it was one vein as it's hardened and shrunk where the blood has clotted in it.

dj

well if I can feel the chord on each side does that mean I have two?
 
well I'm waiting for my next blood test and an ultrasound.

I'm suprised that my latest showed 368 total (3 weeks ago). because now I feel good, good gains in the gym, and very decent sex drive as usual. I want to make sure this varicocele is not a mis-diagnosis, because I dont have any pain. Also want to make sure its not bilateral.

1. Right Side - When I feel my testicles, right below my penis, I can feel a single thick cord on the Right side that travels pretty much straight from my penis down and has a slight S-curve/wiggle before attaching to my Right Testicle. I can easily feel it with my finger but its not visible and doesn't swell when I cough.

2.Left-Side - Same exact chord like the right side except it seems Twice as long and has a few sharper S-Curves that cause it to show out of the skin of the testicle. Same thickness, doesn't hurt when pinched, its just longer/squigglier and visible. Left testicle hangs alot lower but never feels hotter, however its not quite as large as the right.

Confusion - I thought a varicocele was a "mass"/Bag of Worms. Meaning multiple veins? I just feel each spermatic chord and one just seems alot longer and more bunched up.


It sounds like you have a Varicocele, just a mild case.. The bag of worms is a severe case.. I have the bag of worms and sometimes mine can look quite ridiculous.. like my scotoms about to pop.. and at other times it looks normal.. But the bag of worms effect is usually visible when temperatures are room temp+.. Definitely sounds like you have a Varicocele on the left-side at least though.. Some people don't get much poolage.. Ugh my case is so bad and I don't want surgery -_-.. I just want a normal pair of nuts/veins!:rippedhand::ugh1:
 
well if I can feel the chord on each side does that mean I have two?

Naw spermadic cord is probably what you're feeling on the right side.. if it's just one set line its not a varicocele.. the veins usually start intwining.. It's pretty easy to feel, if there's mass above the teste it's a varicocele. I'm wondering what your Ultrasound will come out as.. My guess is one of the left nothing on the right..

Oh yeah and I squeeze my sack of veins and it doesnt hurt.. Mine never really hurts, it just gets REALLY uncomfortable.. :/
 
well I want surgery really bad and both uro's i've been to just say that its normal and they won't consider it unless my sperm count is low.

Should I get a sperm count?
 
well I want surgery really bad and both uro's i've been to just say that its normal and they won't consider it unless my sperm count is low.

Should I get a sperm count?

If that's what you need to get them to do it I would.. A lot of Uro's will approve it and recommend for surgery to prevent fertility problems down the road.. So you can start with the sperm count (good to know anyway) if that doesnt work keep hunting Uro's down. Oh yeah and dumb comment on my behalf before.. spermadic cord is only on the left side (hence why 90%+ of Varicoceles are on the left-side).. I have no idea how i forgot that -_-......Anyhow, whatever you're feeling on your right-side MIGHT be a bilateral Varicocele cause you shouldn't really feel anything except a couple THIN veins.
 
im pretty sure you have two spermatic cords, these are what your testicles hang from?

Woooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

I typed like basically a page and it had some error and i couldn't post it/ it wouldn't come back..BUT basically all it said was yeah you ARE right about it being on both sides, I for some reason mixed it up with the route the veins take cause it's different on the left side then the right.. I'm a :crackhead:... But yeah regardless sounds like you have a Varicocele for sure on the left side.. my left-side is realllyyyyy noticable and puffy at time.. My right-side feels like three noodles attached to my teste (very thin).. When are you getting your Ultrasound?
 
:scratchchin:
Woooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

I typed like basically a page and it had some error and i couldn't post it/ it wouldn't come back..BUT basically all it said was yeah you ARE right about it being on both sides, I for some reason mixed it up with the route the veins take cause it's different on the left side then the right.. I'm a :crackhead:... But yeah regardless sounds like you have a Varicocele for sure on the left side.. my left-side is realllyyyyy noticable and puffy at time.. My right-side feels like three noodles attached to my teste (very thin).. When are you getting your Ultrasound?


I'm getting an ultrasound friday morning along with testosterone at 8am.

Heres my prediction:

My sex drive/strength/muscle mass is really good. I can't believe i'd have low test levels. Thats why I'm so confused at to how they showed 466, 366 last month. However these results were drawn at 3:00 PM both times. u:scratchchin:p Looking at some diagrams on this website, it seems that there is way more of a difference in Total T and Free T serum level flucuation in young men then older. So I'm hoping my results with an 8:00am test will come back much higher. I wont be satisfied unless they are 700+ total T at least.

The ultrasound will probably come back with prominent varicocele in left testicle. Doctor follow up will say "you testosterone levels are fine go home" or my testosterone levels will be low still and he'll say "your levels are on the range go home".
 
Ultrasound Results

Had my ultrasound and blood test today. Still waiting on the testosterone number but had some feedback from the doctor on the ultrasound.

1. Prominent veins on the left side
2. nothing on the right side
3. no detectable atrophy...I believe they said the demensions were Left - 40/22 and right 42/22. However I don't understand why the left always feels like it changes sizes.

4. doctor concluded after meeting with 3 people in his practice, testosterone/hormones will NOT be affected by the varicocele IF atrophy has NOT occured. Atrophy must be present to blame varicocele on hormones. I really don't know if I buy this completely because i've seen studies suggesting that even invisible stage 1 varicocele correction yields increase in Serm Test.

5. Told the doctor I had pain during valsalva, (made this part up). He then finally recommened surgery if I wanted it done. He gave me 3 methods and recommened the Embolization from a radiologist.

I've heard there is a 15% failure/return rate on the Embolization...is there any correlation to the degree of the original varicocele and the fail rate? I mean mines a minor stage II. No pain, no atrophy yet. Seems like I should give the embolization a shot first and then proceed to other methods if necessary.

PS He recomened sperm count before and after surgery but I could care less about knowing...I just want the surgery done so I don't wind up having low T and atrophy in the future.
 
Had my ultrasound and blood test today. Still waiting on the testosterone number but had some feedback from the doctor on the ultrasound.

1. Prominent veins on the left side
2. nothing on the right side
3. no detectable atrophy...I believe they said the demensions were Left - 40/22 and right 42/22. However I don't understand why the left always feels like it changes sizes.

4. doctor concluded after meeting with 3 people in his practice, testosterone/hormones will NOT be affected by the varicocele IF atrophy has NOT occured. Atrophy must be present to blame varicocele on hormones. I really don't know if I buy this completely because i've seen studies suggesting that even invisible stage 1 varicocele correction yields increase in Serm Test.

5. Told the doctor I had pain during valsalva, (made this part up). He then finally recommened surgery if I wanted it done. He gave me 3 methods and recommened the Embolization from a radiologist.

I've heard there is a 15% failure/return rate on the Embolization...is there any correlation to the degree of the original varicocele and the fail rate? I mean mines a minor stage II. No pain, no atrophy yet. Seems like I should give the embolization a shot first and then proceed to other methods if necessary.

PS He recomened sperm count before and after surgery but I could care less about knowing...I just want the surgery done so I don't wind up having low T and atrophy in the future.

monsterbos,
I think you don't need surgery.Nobody on thif forum benefitted from surgery Usually left one will be smaller than right one.Since you have veins on left one, you feel like its changing size. Also you testosteorne is alright.
 
monsterbos,
I think you don't need surgery.Nobody on thif forum benefitted from surgery Usually left one will be smaller than right one.Since you have veins on left one, you feel like its changing size. Also you testosteorne is alright.

well people that had surgery were older and already had atrophy (which mean damaged cells)

If you have the surgery before atrophy can occur than wouldn't this prevent atrophy/damage in the future
 
Hey All,

I am coming late to the party here. I have tried to read all the posts in the thred, I think I got to page 20 before I just figured I woudl post my question. Sorry if this has been asked already but in the posts I saw it wasn't. Well in the cases that varicocele was was detected did the Doc notice by doing a normal testicular exam? Or was it something that you guys brought to his/her attention before noticing.
I had some blood work done that I posted in another thread and it has similar characteristics to blood tests that you guys with it had. Low T low/norm LH and FSH.
So I guess I am wondering should I push my Uro to explore this option?

Again sorry if this was question was already explored.
 
Had my ultrasound and blood test today. Still waiting on the testosterone number but had some feedback from the doctor on the ultrasound.


5. Told the doctor I had pain during valsalva, (made this part up). He then finally recommened surgery if I wanted it done. He gave me 3 methods and recommened the Embolization from a radiologist.

PS He recomened sperm count before and after surgery but I could care less about knowing...I just want the surgery done so I don't wind up having low T and atrophy in the future.

Monster,

I had my varicocele removed via microsurgery. Microsurgery is considered the gold standard of varicocele removal. If your doc is willing to do it, get it done while you can and before damage occurs as you get older.

Get the semen analysis done so you can see how the testes are functioning. Its not a big deal, you go in a room and jo in a cup, the lab tests many guys everyday. Don't be shy, I proudly hand the cup to the nurse "here ya go ma-am" haha.
 
Well if my latest 8am test comes back with 700 levels what should I do? I have no atrophy. My parents really don't want me to go under the knife unless I'm having problems concieving when I'm older or unless I have low T levels. I figure my T levels should come back way higher consider I have no atrophy according to the Ultrasound.
 
I have just had microsurgical varicocele treatment in India I have had no real pain and everything seems to be going okay. The only thing that is annoying me is that the veins are still there and I can see and feel them, is this normal?

B
 
I have just had microsurgical varicocele treatment in India I have had no real pain and everything seems to be going okay. The only thing that is annoying me is that the veins are still there and I can see and feel them, is this normal?

B

You have to give it some time for the swelling to go down and for the area to heal.
 
ultrasound showed no atrophy but Total T is 326. My sex drive and everything seems manageable enough...I don't understand why the low T. I'm 5 8 180lbs 10% bf and I squat 315x10
 
I would get the Micro-Surgery - That is what I had .... I am now on Androgel 6 pumps a day and feeling GREAT !

so this means surgery failed to restore testosterone...and you are now on TRT. So what was the point of surgery to begin with...now you have low low sperm count and low low natural test.
 
so this means surgery failed to restore testosterone...and you are now on TRT. So what was the point of surgery to begin with...now you have low low sperm count and low low natural test.
A couple of things that worked against me was it took almost a year to get the surgery and I had 20 veins ligated from one side and 7 on the other so I had bilateral varicocele, and I am 36.

The articles I read up on said it was a slim chance to recover my own T production but they all said for younger guys it was shown to up their T levels. I also was impatient and did not want to wait a year or so for the full recovery so I opted for HRT .... The articles that I read said that the recovery of ones own T production was at least a year out from the surgery. I was in a much worse place than it sounds like you are.

No energy, no drive let alone sex drive, memory issues, night time wake for pee, no morning wood, Tired ALL the time, muscle weakness, upset stomach, tingling in the extremities, slow facial hair growth, etc .... I was basically falling apart.

I am now feeling better and trying to build up some stamina ....

I think the MS is the best option for a guy in your situation. JUST My Opinion.
 
Its been almost a year since I had the surgery, and I have to say I feel 50% better. The first week after the surgery I had what I felt like a bumrush of testosterone that lasted a couple of weeks and then sorta disappeared.

A year later I can definately feel the difference in my everyday life, with erections, libido etc. I took cialis a few times seemed to jump start everything again. However, my puffy nipples didnt go away so I am getting surgery for that next week.
 
test. 313 241-827
free test. (direct) 9.7 9.3-26.5
LH 1.5 1.5-9.3
FSH 2.6 1.4-18.1
SHBG 19 13-71



does this look like a pituitary issue from a not proper pct? seems like lh would be higher if it was a varicocele problem
 
Hi everyone,

it's been around 2 months since my surgery, and I am fully back to normal. The "bag of worms" has definitely decreased in size, but the area does still have the clump of veins. I went to the doctor the other day, and he said this was normal and that the veins would probably always be like that. So, don't get worried if you can still feel them months after surgery.
 
I had the surgery almost 4 weeks ago now and strangely the veins seem more prominent than they were before surgery although I have emailed a few doctors who said this is normal as the veins dont get removed just tied. A couple of days after the surgery I could notice my testicles increasing and my sex drive definitely going up which was great but now it just seems the same as before I suppose it is still early days. How was everyone elses experience after having the microsurgery? I would really like to know how others got on after surgery and if they recovered testicle size and libido etc and what they did took to help. By the way I am 26.

I will keep everyone updated with how I am getting on feel free to ask me any questions about my surgery.

Thanks,

B
 
so this means surgery failed to restore testosterone...and you are now on TRT. So what was the point of surgery to begin with...now you have low low sperm count and low low natural test.

Thats what I told in my other post. Surgery not working for anybody becker is not old .He is in early thirties. Now he is on androgel and may be for life long.
As long as you have libido, erections , everything ok, why do you bother about low tetsosterone. May be you are born like that. I have 223ng . Doctor told me I am born like that. I became angry. But after few months I am alright.I did not take any treatment.
 
test. 313 241-827
free test. (direct) 9.7 9.3-26.5
LH 1.5 1.5-9.3
FSH 2.6 1.4-18.1
SHBG 19 13-71



does this look like a pituitary issue from a not proper pct? seems like lh would be higher if it was a varicocele problem


Your LH and FSH levels are normal Since your LH is low, your total T is low. Mine were LH 0.6 FSH 3.0 I was scared after knowing the results but after one month My wife became pregnant Now my kid absolutely healthy. So dont worry about the results. Be happy. I read all thesee things about low levels and became scared and went to the doctor.
 
but if my lh was 6 my total t would be much closer to the 700-800 it should be for my age.

something may not be "wrong", but my body isn't working at the mean for my age level...i'm WAY below average and it pisses me off. I cannot accept this and be happy. I'm going to do whatever it takes to get to at least 600+. I'm not living life anymore at this low level I want to know what an average 20 year old's test level feel like.

I have a feeling I'd have much more confidence, better sleep, stronger sex drive, and better gains/mental function because so many people report feeling so much different at levels of 800 that were once in the 200's.

Your .6lh is WAY below the range and you are extremely secondary hypogonadal.
 
something may not be "wrong", but my body isn't working at the mean for my age level...

I know exactly how you feel - I need to get hold of all of my results but have had blood tests for diabetes, thyroid levels and testosterone. All of them have come back as being fine, in fact my doctor said the testosterone was in her view quite raised, I thought she mentioned a figure of 48 but that doesn't seem to relate to any scales I can find so may have that wrong....so not sure where to go from here. I've definitely had better erections since the op but my libido is pretty non existant which makes relationships pretty much impossible. The lack of strength and stamina is still apparent as is the hot flushes etc.

Could it be that my body is producing enough testosterone but it's not able to use it for some reason? I took Clomid for a couple of weeks and felt absolutely amazing and back to normal but that only lasted for about 10 days and now it does absolutely nothing. What would cause that?

dj
 
I know exactly how you feel - I need to get hold of all of my results but have had blood tests for diabetes, thyroid levels and testosterone. All of them have come back as being fine, in fact my doctor said the testosterone was in her view quite raised, I thought she mentioned a figure of 48 but that doesn't seem to relate to any scales I can find so may have that wrong....so not sure where to go from here. I've definitely had better erections since the op but my libido is pretty non existant which makes relationships pretty much impossible. The lack of strength and stamina is still apparent as is the hot flushes etc.

Could it be that my body is producing enough testosterone but it's not able to use it for some reason? I took Clomid for a couple of weeks and felt absolutely amazing and back to normal but that only lasted for about 10 days and now it does absolutely nothing. What would cause that?

dj

Ive been to 2 urologists and 2 endos. All of them told me because I was "on range" my levels were completely normal.

Reading around and finding more information shows thats the range can't define all ages. The mean for an 80 year old is my average test right now.

Your doctor is thinking with a book and not her brain. You need to see a real doctor in this field. You are definitely I need of TRT with LH that low. Clomid made you feel great because it raised your LH which in turn produced more T. Your LH fell back to low after clomid and thats why your T dropped again.
 
hi. i read your posts about varicocele and t levels. i also have a varicocele and low t levels can you tell me anything more about this? did you get your varicocele operated on was it a success did your t levels go up i would really appreciate a reply
 
went to a few docs. I definitely have a Grade III. My T is low 300's but my LH is really low 1.5 which points to it being my pituitary more than my testicle. I believe if my LH was up to 5-6 my Total T would be around 600-700. I now think the varicocele is related to T only if there is significant atrophy.
 
is there any natural way to treat varicocele?? its alarming me to have this. is excessive masturbation can can cause variococele? can i still go to the gym having this?
 
I recieved the Microsurgery in India. Everything turned out great. I suffered Low Testosterone and all the problems that came with it that destroyed my life and my military career. It happened when i was 20 and now I am 24. Trust me when I say the Microsurgery fixed my problems. But there is a problem.. A brief story about me. When I was 19 to 20 I was having sex everyday 3 up to 10 times a day. IT IS NOT A LIE. Then I started sleeping more instead of going to bed at 11:00. I went to bed around 8:00 sex declined from 10 to 6 to 6 to 4 to 3 to 2 to 1 a day when then stopped. I couldnt figure out what was wrong. I was a 19 year old that would hump his bed. I got the surgery fixed the problem and I was about 80 to 90 percent of what i was before sexual and started having sex 3 to 5 times a day about 2 and a half weeks after the surgery. My penis was huge and so were my balls I was walking funny because my balls dropped so low and I had to re adjust them alot. I believe I had sex way to soon. Wasnt finished healing yet and had sex way to much. Now I am back to where i was before. Now I know it was the verisocile and I am suffering from secondary hypogonadism. My LH was low I think around 4.6 So there is a huge room for growth in my pituary. I am going to continue to get tests etc and maybe I have enougher varicosile. Any ideas anyone. I was ME AGAIN FOR A MONTH. IT WAS THE BIGGEST TEASE EVER BUT I HAD IT.
 
I am in exactly the same boat I also went to India for treatment and a week or so after the surgery things were definitely improving erections, libido, testicle size etc. but 4 weeks down the line I feel like I am back to where I was. How can this be? I have read on here quite a few people who have said they same thing about the initial gains after surgery then just reverting back to how they were pre-surgery why would this happen and how do you get round this?

Also LBJDLJ could you still feel the veins after the surgery? As I still can on my left testicle.

Thanks,

B
 
I never felt the veins or pain. I just remembered I had shrinkage of everything just like before. But I am going to get enougher ultrasound to see what going out. Maybe we both had complications. I am going to see if there is artery problems from the surgery as well as enougher induced vericosile. I took for granted my new libido and I took full advantage of it. I live in the Phillipines and being a American and young... girls pretty much beg on thier knees for you. I was having sex 5 times aday and masterbating playing basketball walking long distances the whole thing and I wasnt fully healed yet. I was still very tender in the cut areas and a stitch was poking out. BUT NO THAT DIDNT STOP ME. I STILL WANTED TO GET ALL UP IN THAT. So that could of caused a problem. I also noticed that I wasnt peeing frequently. I could drink ALOT OF WATER and no pee so it defantly improved my kidneys. So I will get to the bottom of this I don't know how long it will take but I am getting close I believe.
 
Did you feel the veins before the surgery and after they just went? Anyone else had the microsurgical approach and still noticed the veins still there?

Thanks,

B
 
Did you feel the veins before the surgery and after they just went? Anyone else had the microsurgical approach and still noticed the veins still there?

Yeah, mine are still there and are hard. They're gradually shrinking in size and aren't quite as tender as before.

dj
 
Thanks for that djawol much appreciated. I was worried that maybe they missed the vein or something, I cant understand why i can still feel the veins when I stand up but they disappear when laying as they were only cut 2 inches above from where they were and I would not have thought the reflux would have built much pressure over this distance. Are yours the same do they go down when laying? Also when did you have your surgery.

Thanks again,

B
 
How many people?

How many people had there surgery and got completly better? Brain I read one of your posts and you stated that it took some 1 year to 6 months to recover..maybe thats the case. But it was a tease for me o feel the way i felt. Even when I was on Testosterone.. I DIDNT FEEL EVEN CLOSE And my Test way around 800 on Injections. It was a combination of other hormones that it repairs and the veins that were fixed must of offered better blood flow to my penis as well. Bigger palls=Bigger Penis. But my LH is low so I know I was suffering from secondary Hypogonadism. Brain.. You are me have to work hard to find the answers to this. Maybe u and me together can find the answers. Get tests New ultrasounds. Dont only look at the veins but see if there was any artery damage as well. Maybe u damage the arteries that went to the veins maybe u got a new vericosile due to a NEW AMOUNT OF BLOOD FLOW AND ERECTIONS. that your body wasnt used to.
 
maybe you talking about placebo effect to some degree and the fact that you had swelling and blood concentration in the area from healing process.
 
Hey guys I am new here and first of all I want to thank you for all your valuable information and personal updates! I've heard from another bodybuilding message board that varicoceles can lower Test. Levels so I did a google search and stumbled onto this thread. I hope I am not being annoying with my noobishness! :o

Ok here goes: I am 18, will be 19 in 3 months and I have had varicoceles since 16 (when I first noticed) I went to the urologist he checked it out and gave a sonogram and said it was nothing bad and just told me to wear boxer briefs. Since then I had not paid much mind to my varicose veins..I have made some ok muscle and strength gains and my intensity in the gym is good. However I don't get random erections (I do get morning wood and do get solid erections when I am aroused though) and this has been getting me more worried that it will effect my T levels. Now after reading parts of this thread I am pretty sure I need to get this procedure done ASAP to fix it.

I think I have it stage 3, it looks profound and it feels like a bag of worms and my affected testicle (left) is smaller than my other. Until lately it has not caused much discomfort, however today it has after I was feeling around down there to check for cancer or things of that sort. It is like a dull aching pain on the affected side.

Anyway my course of action for the next few weeks is to find a urologist and then get a sonogram + blood test for all the hormones I can get tested for. Then, hopefully, surgery after that, I will give an update once I get the sonogram and blood test done.

Thanks for reading my post I know it is long and there are many others in here like mine but thanks!
 
Monsterbox.. No way.... My balls were massive and filled. I had morning eretions every morning and i was extremly horny/ My hair stopped falling out. I could hold my urine for a along time.
 
Are yours the same do they go down when laying? Also when did you have your surgery.

Mine definitely aren't as prominant when I lie down but are there if you look for them as they're quite hard. I had the surgery about three months ago.

Cheers
dj
 
Thanks for that djawol maybe im just being a bit impatient. Hows things with testosterone etc. noticed any changes?

Thanks,

B
 
Also did you take anything ie. clomid HCG or any other supplement to help with testicle size? The general concensus I get from reading on the forums is that HCG is the only med that can help here for testicle size is this right?

Thanks,

B
 
well it looks like surgery only halts the process, but doesn't really help restore T levels. Id only be interested in the surgery myself, if my LH was normal. My low LH (1.5) indicates secondary.

If I'm at 300's with low LH and I can get it up high with normal LH, then it means its not the varicocele related. Like I said at a 4.2 LH my total T was 466 w/ High free T. If LH was like 6 it be really high.
 
Monsterbox.... You need to look online.. You may be a combination of low lh and varicosile. There are many studies that indicate a higher T level after surgery. ALSO TAKE INTO FACT THAT A VARICOSILE CAUSES LEDWIG CELL DAMAGE "WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TESTOSTERONE. YOUR LH WILL OVER TIME GET HIGHER AND HIGHER INDICATING TESTISCULAR CELL DAMAGE Think about it... I am seeing now that my libido is in fact higher than before surgery. While maybe not as dramatic as immediatly after surgery at least I have a semi normal sex life of 6 or 8 times a week. When I mean semi normal I only last about 5 to 15 minutes now but it is still pleasurable and can be sexy. While I have low LH as well around yours monster. I think a combination of Pituatuary Enchancing drugs could benifit plus surgery. Granted I don't know which ones are safe but I was on testosterone injections as well.. I can tell you this monster box.. Maybe stimulating your LH is a good idea because it stimulates other hormones beside Testosterone as well but SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THE SURGERY. IF TESTOSTERONE ISN'T ENOUGH HOW ABOUT TRYING TO REPRODUCE AND CARRY ON YOUR FAMILY NAME. THATS IMPORTANT AS WELL.

Thank you :)
 
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