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Varicocele

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Alternative Names:

Varicose veins - scrotum

Symptoms:

• Visible, enlarged, twisted veins in the scrotum
• Infertility
• A painless testicle lump , scrotal swelling , or bulge within the scrotum

Signs and tests:

The health care provider will examine the groin area, including the scrotum and testicles. The doctor may be able to feel a non-tender, twisted mass along the spermatic cord. (It feels like a bag of worms.)

However, the mass may not be able to be seen or felt, especially when lying down.

The testicle on the side of the varicocele may be smaller than the one on the other side.

• Review Date: 1/16/2007
• Reviewed By: Marc Greenstein, DO, Urologist, North Jersey Center for Urologic Care, Denville, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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