Just had an ultrasound and confirmed varicose vein in scrotum, albeit mild, that is causing some issues with blood flow.
Has anyone else had the same condition, and did they just get on with it or have surgery? Any tips?
Quick research indicates it can cause infertility (not an issue, I have two kids and don’t intend to have any more, either with my wife or a younger model), and sometimes low testosterone. I’m going to ask to get this checked.
Should it help anyone else suffering down below, my symptoms started about three months ago as a general dull ache on the left side of my nuts after long periods of sitting in a car, which then became more generalised and a persistent feeling of heaviness. It becomes painful every so often, more so during intense exercise bouts such as a sprint run split, or an oly swim last weekend.
I turned 41 this year and figure it’s a combination of aging (veins in my calves are certainly more prominent than they used to be) and probably too much time this year building for a HIM around the time the symptoms started and doing 2+ hour turbo rides in Tri shorts on the TT bike in a pretty rotated (and hopefully low drag) position. Ive since changed saddle.
I’d be interested to hear any other people’s experience of the same issue, or medical opinions on the way forward. I certainly don’t want to stop riding, and can’t get away from sitting in cars for long periods as that’s what pays the bills!
The good news is it’s nothing more sinister, which has been niggling away in the back of my mind.
Had one since at least 10th grade in high school which was picked up by the old turn your head and cough physical before basketball season. I’m 39 and as you noted it seems the biggest issue is infertility, which did affect me. I vaguely recall mild discomfort/heaviness through some of high school but nothing of note since then, which has included 20 years of triathlon/cycling - a lot of which was prior to the wide use of split rail saddles. Not sure if suggested treatment changes if it’s developed later in life, but I revisited all of this around 2014 when wife and I were trying to have kids and was told if no pain then no treatment necessary.
Thanks for the response. Embolization seems to be an option. TBH if it doesn’t get worse I can live with it.
My seasons over now and I’m focussing on a half marathon in November, so will be interested to see if time off the TT bike makes a difference. I suspect the saddle I was using might have partially caused it, a Sitero 2, which is pretty wide and not very padded.
Hey hey folks, longtime listener, first time caller (or for the purposes of this thread, shall I say first time baller…) - but had to create a handle so I could chime in.
@thestreak - are you saying you had microsurgery or open surgery and returned to exercise in a few days? Or embolization? For the former, that would be an amazingly fast recovery.
@jn46 I had what I believe what was a more typical (or perhaps on the longer end of typical) return to exercise. I had the microsurgery done in June 2019 and ultimately my varicocele has recurred… After two weeks the most I had done was a couple of short walks and was still experiencing a significant amount of pain. According to my running log I didn’t even attempt a short run until 1 month after. I was not swimming or cycling at the time. If you’re considering surgical repair, I would urge you to be frank with the surgeon about your desired schedule to return to vigorous exercise and ask what the realistic expectations are. As far as I can tell, if you aren’t looking to have more kids, this would be mostly a question of how painful and annoying the varicocele is for you. If you have any questions about my (admittedly somewhat crappy) experience with the surgery, let me know.
Ah. Yes. It was an embolization under local anaesthetic. Arrived at the hospital at about nine. Walked home in the afternoon. It was sunny day so I stopped at a bar to read L’Equipe.
Cheers, thanks for clarifying. I might be doing the same at some point since my varicocele reoccurred - but will have to see how things go once we start trying to have kids.
Cheers, thanks for clarifying. I might be doing the same at some point since my varicocele reoccurred - but will have to see how things go once we start trying to have kids.
Thanks for the info. Hope everything works out for you. I did read they can reoccur.
Everything is still back logged health wise so I will be discussing course of action with general practitioner in about ten days, and whether I need to see a specialist, but it estimate that will take ages.
I’ve been off the TT bike now for two weeks and dropped some cycling volume but mostly intensity as I start an 8 week run focus for a half marathon. The heaviness/aching has improved. I did however do a 17km run today, longest I’ve done since June, and had some pain in my lower abdomen on the same side and wondered if this was related, although I can suffer with gastro issues on early morning runs so it could’ve been that.
Might just be a course of managing it at the moment and hopefully it doesn’t get worse.
Had one since age 18, found on physical exam. Small, never bothered me. Did not affect fertility. 50 years later, it’s a little larger in size, can cause a dull ache sensation after a long bike ride or long car ride. Not enough discomfort to worry about getting it fixed. YMMV.
Just had an ultrasound and confirmed varicose vein in scrotum, albeit mild, that is causing some issues with blood flow.
Has anyone else had the same condition, and did they just get on with it or have surgery? Any tips?
Quick research indicates it can cause infertility (not an issue, I have two kids and don’t intend to have any more, either with my wife or a younger model), and sometimes low testosterone. I’m going to ask to get this checked.
Yes, I had one
Got an ultrasound when we were having trouble conceiving (“Maybe it’s not you? Maybe it’s me?”) Turns out the little fucker was over-cooking my swimmers - the ultrasound of my balls looked like a infrared image of a hurricane
Got the plumbing diverted, acquired an interesting scar in a interesting place, and successfully brought D’Kid into the world