Varicocele Treatment in Tucson AZ

What Is a Varicocele?

Varicoceles are enlarged veins located within the scrotum. The problem with these veins is that they carry more blood than a normal vein, which leads to an increase in temperature of the scrotum and the sperm inside.

Some patients experience a great deal of discomfort from their varicoceles, which is their main focus for treatment. Others look to varicocele embolization because they wish to increase their odds of having a child.

Overheating sperm leads to lower sperm counts, which is one common cause of male infertility. Obviously, since a majority of men with varicoceles wish to reproduce, they begin to consider treatment options for their varicoceles, including a varicocele embolization.

Diagnosing Varicoceles

Board-certified urologist Dr. Burrows will need to inspect the scrotum in order to diagnose the varicoceles. To do this, Dr. Burrows may perform what is known as the Valsalva maneuver. The Valsalva maneuver requires the patient to stand up, take a deep breath, and hold. The attending physician then checks for enlarged veins on the surface of the scrotum.

What is the Treatment for a Varicocele in Tucson, AZ?

In many cases, varicoceles are harmless and therefore go undiagnosed and untreated. However, in situations where the varicocele causes pain or is suspected of lowering chances of fertililty, a surgical procedure may be recommended. The goal of surgery will be to remove or tie off the veins within the scrotum that supply blood to the spermatic cord.

By regulating the blood flow to the testicles, Dr. Burrows is also able to better regulate their temperature, which is designed to give you a better outlook for conception of a child.

Varicocele Embolization

A varicocele embolization is a minimally invasive procedure. During a varicocele embolization, a coil or embolic fluid is inserted into the enlarged vein via a catheter. Once in proper position, the coil or embolic fluid is able to divert blood flow away from the enlarged vein, thus reducing the amount of blood supplied to the testicles.

Your body’s vascular system should then fix itself by rerouting the extra blood to healthy veins. The dysfunctional varicoceles will gradually become closed off, leaving only a healthy circulatory system behind.