Varicocele, epidydymis cysts, pain and infertility

[rabeatz]

I am 19 years old and recently saw my doctor due to pains as well as a lump I had noticed in my scrotum. The pains were/are intermittent and vary from a dull ache to an intense pain that causes me to cringe. The lump I could feel was on the left side, and the majority of the pain I felt was on the right, at the epidydymis, however I also have pain on the left side occasionally but it feels like it is below the testicle, opposite the head of the epidydymis where I felt the larger cyst. Blood tests / std tests all came back negative and my ultrasound indicated that I have 2 benign epydydymis cysts, one being the one I noticed on the left and the other being smaller. I was also informed that I have a varicocele. However, I still have no definite answer for the source of my pains. The doctor put me on doxycycline for 10 days as well as prescribing meloxicam for 2 months, and said if the pains did not go away within 2-4 weeks see him again, to be referred to a urologist.

My questions would be:

1. Is it possible the cysts and/or the varicocele are causing the pains? If so I'm sure surgery would be the solution - I've read up on the procedure for varicocele repair but is it possible to have an all in one surgery? I.e. Get rid of the cysts as well as repair the varicocele in one procedure, or would multiple procedures be necesary?

2. Many pages indicate that varicocele can be a cause of infertility. Even if the pain goes away is this a concern I should have? At 19 I'm not looking to have children too soon, but at the same time I don't want to know about a problem and not fix it when I could have. Is this something that could get worse over time and its best to fix now?

Any advice or input is greatly appreciated.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Whether or not a varicocele causes infertility is a contentious issue.

Varicocele is usually harmless except in cases of infertility. If surgery is required because of infertility or testicular atrophy, the outlook is usually excellent. Removal of varicocele can lead to normal testicular temperatures and an increased sperm production.

Varicoceles may be managed with a scrotal support (e.g. jockstrap, briefs). However, if pain continues or if infertility or testicular atrophy results, the varicocele may need to be surgically ligated (tied off). A vasotonic drug is preferred in addition to the scrotal support.

Varicocelectomy, the surgical correction of a varicocele, is performed on an outpatient basis. Ice packs should be kept to the area for the first 24 hours after surgery to reduce swelling. The patient may be advised to wear a scrotal support for some time after surgery.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varicocele#Treatment

You could discuss this with the surgeon and he / she will tell you about the details of the operation. Both of them can be taken care of at the same time.

Let me know if you need any other information.

Regards.