Varicocele: How to Care for Your Child

A varicocele is a group of swollen veins inside the scrotum (pouch that holds the testicle). Varicoceles are fairly common in boys going through puberty. Often, they don't cause any problems and just need to be checked regularly by a health care provider. But sometimes, surgery may be needed if a varicocele (VAR-uh-ko-seel) is very large, causes pain, has led to a lowered sperm count, or caused the testicle to grow slower or shrink.

Follow your health care provider's advice about:

• having your child see a urologist (doctor who treats urinary and genital problems)

• any medicines your child should take

• whether your child should go for any testing, such as an ultrasound

• when your child should follow up

If your child has pain, they can:

• Try lying down on their back for a little while. This lets the blood drain from the varicocele.

• If the pain happens during a sport or activity, try taking a break to sit down for a few minutes, or plan to do the sport or activity for shorter amounts of time.

• If heat makes the pain worse, try to avoid it or take frequent breaks.

• Wear supportive underwear or a jock strap.

• Take acetaminophen (Tylenol^® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand) if your health care provider says it's OK. Follow the package directions for how much to take and how often.

Your child:

• has worse pain or swelling

• notices a difference in size between the two testicles or notices that one testicle has gotten smaller

• notices any new lumps on either testicle

How does a varicocele happen? Experts think that varicoceles happen because the valves in veins that usually help blood go from the testicle back to the heart aren't working normally. This lets some of the blood back up in the veins, making them swell. Varicoceles usually happen on the left side because more blood flows on that side of the scrotum.

Can a varicocele affect fertility (the ability to father a child)? Most males who have a varicocele don't have problems with fertility. For those who do, surgery that changes the flow of blood from the varicocele into other veins sometimes can help.