Varicose veins of the penis are most often associated with a hereditary predisposition. This disease involves an enlargement of the veins on the penis by more than 6 mm. The disease is very unpleasant and can result in impotence, therefore, if you notice signs of varicose veins, you need to urgently make an appointment with a urologist.
Signs of varicose veins of the penis
The content of the article
The first signs of varicose veins on the penis are practically invisible. With the development of pathology, unpleasant sensations in the penis will be felt during sexual intercourse and urination:
- Due to the constant pressure of blood in the veins on the organ, the man experiences frequent urination, accompanied by unpleasant pain.
- Painful, pinching, tingling sensations in the penis during and without an erection.
- With varicose veins, pain can also occur during sexual intercourse, and especially during ejaculation.
- Swellings and veins twisting into knots and enlarged in size appear on the penis; abnormal swelling and associated redness can be noted. The formations can be easily felt when touching the penis.
If the disease is not treated, the veins increase in volume so much that huge lumps may appear on the penis itself, the number and size of which increases, causing pain to the patient. Vein anomalies become especially noticeable during an erection.
Preventive measures
Treatment of vascular diseases is a long process. They can be warned not to face the consequences. The main methods of preventing varicose veins of the penis are:
- Complete nutrition. A healthy diet is fundamental to normal blood circulation. It is necessary to avoid fatty, fried and salty foods. You should limit your intake of foods high in cholesterol to prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of blood vessels, obstructing blood flow. The diet must include vegetables, fruits, whole grain cereals, and protein. Dishes are best cooked in the oven or steamed.
- Rejection of bad habits. Alcohol and smoking, in addition to a serious blow to the cardiovascular system, have a negative effect on intracellular metabolism. The vessels are not saturated with the necessary substances, their walls become thinner, resulting in the development of varicose veins.
- During treatment for STDs, it is necessary to take medications to prevent varicose veins.
- Moderate loads. It is worth giving up strength sports and, if possible, limiting heavy physical labor. It is necessary to walk regularly and perform exercises that stimulate blood circulation.
- Cold and hot shower. It helps stimulate blood flow in the problem area.
- Refusal to visit baths, saunas, and hot baths. Exposure to high temperatures can negatively affect the functioning of the blood vessels of the penis.
- Limiting medications that help prolong sexual intercourse. If possible, it is better to avoid them altogether, because they not only increase the likelihood of developing varicose veins of the penis, but are also addictive.
- Regular sex life. The optimal frequency of ejaculation for a man of reproductive age is 2-3 times a week.
If you have varicose veins of the penis, you should not self-medicate. If a problem exists and you are bothered by unpleasant symptoms, first consult a doctor.
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Author
Salmina Daria Vladimirovna
Geneticist. Graduated from the Chelyabinsk State Medical Academy. She completed an internship at the Northwestern State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov.
Complications
If swelling on the penis does not cause inconvenience and does not cause pain, it may be just a temporary deformation of the muscles and tendons of the penis, characteristic of male physiology, and not varicose veins.
But in any case, you need to see a urologist, since an advanced state of penile varicose veins can result in rupture of the veins during the next erection and internal or external hemorrhage. Such an ending, in the worst case, will lead to the complete loss of the functionality of the penis and complete impotence, and in the “best” - to infertility.
Examination for penile bloating
If symptoms of penile swelling appear, the patient should consult a urologist.
Depending on the accompanying symptoms and after a visual examination, the doctor will refer you for tests or to another specialist.
The basis of diagnosis is examination, collection of anamnestic data, the appointment of ultrasound with Doppler and phlebography with contrast.
Ultrasound determines the extent of blood flow disturbances present and the stage of pathological processes.
Phlebography visualizes the plexus of blood vessels.
Additionally, a laboratory test of blood and urine, a biochemical blood test, and a bacteriological culture of a smear from the urethra are performed.
The main reasons for the development of varicose veins
Varicose veins on the penis do not appear on their own. Knowing the reasons, you can protect yourself from unpleasant consequences. Usually the reason for the development of varicose veins in the veins of the penis are:
- Injuries during physical or sports training, blows delivered directly to the groin area.
- Improper functioning of the genitourinary system due to bladder diseases.
- Unsuccessful penile surgery associated with other diseases.
- Sexual life leading to constant changes of partners and infection with infectious diseases that cause swelling and inflammation in the genital area.
- The use of drugs that cause instant erection of the penis, arousal and abuse of alcohol and tobacco.
- Prolonged, exhausting sexual intercourse.
Swelling on the penis: local causes
If penile swelling occurs in a man who is sexually active, the cause may be injury.
They appear when using intimate toys.
For example, the use of an erectile ring leads to the development of hypoxia of tissue structures.
It can cause bruising and even lead to necrotic tissue changes.
Sometimes athletes can experience injuries to the external genitalia during intense training.
The skin of the penis can be injured when pinched by a trouser zipper.
One of the common causes of bloating is the development of an allergy reaction.
In this case, increased sensitivity may occur to low-quality or synthetic underwear material.
For any cosmetic product with a high content of fragrances, as well as for lubricants that are used to improve the process of sexual intercourse.
Mainly due to the use of low quality products for their production.
In allergic reactions, bloating is accompanied by redness and rash of various locations.
Diagnosis of the disease
First of all, to confirm the diagnosis, the urologist will do an ultrasound of the penis with a Doppler sensor - Doppler sonography. This will help accurately determine the stage of the disease and the presence or absence of blood clots in the swollen veins of the penis. Doppler measurements are carried out during an artificially induced erection, during which the condition of the vascular wall and the level of blood stagnation in the veins are thoroughly examined.
Additionally, the doctor will examine in detail the prostate and the entire scrotum using ultrasound - this is done with a conventional sensor. The examination is not painful or dangerous.
If varicose veins of the genital organ have gone far, you need to examine the entire pelvis. It is possible that the cause of the pathology lies in other organs.
Diagnosis of the disease
There is a clear algorithm for diagnosing varicose veins of the penis. First of all, the doctor conducts a visual examination and listens to the patient’s complaints. It is also necessary to undergo the following examinations:
- Ultrasound of the penis with Doppler to assess the blood supply to the organ and analyze the condition of the vessels;
- Phlebography – is prescribed if there is a suspicion that varicose veins have affected the deep veins.
The patient must undergo general urine and blood tests, and a spermogram. This will help eliminate the infectious nature of the lesion.
Treatment of varicose veins
If you seek help from a urologist before penile varicose veins reach a severe stage, you can avoid surgery and undergo vein treatment on an outpatient basis. The patient is prescribed medications based on herbal infusions in the form of ointments and gels, ointments that improve blood circulation and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. They have a warming effect and disperse blood stagnation in the veins, significantly expanding and then constricting the vessels. If varicose veins of the penis are advanced, immediate surgical intervention under local or general anesthesia will be required. Most often, gentle techniques are used - such procedures are carried out directly in the clinic.
Surgical treatment is carried out using different methods:
- Percutaneous embolization . To control manipulations, X-ray technology is used that supplies normalized radiation. The impact leads to occlusion (narrowing) of the varicose vein without using a scalpel. Disadvantage of embolization - possible side effects caused by X-ray radiation.
- Classic surgical operation . The urologist makes a skin incision over the testicular vein. The dilated vessel is pulled in two places, blocking the blood flow. After this, the affected part of the vein is cut off. The outflow of blood after surgery occurs through healthy vessels.
- Microsurgical ligation . If the veins of the spermatic cord are clearly visible, a low-traumatic intervention is performed. The affected vein is operated on through a mini-access. Naturally, recovery after the procedure is faster than after conventional surgery.
- Laparoscopic surgery . To access the veins, a laparoscope is used - a device with a mini-camera and lighting. The operation is monitored through a computer monitor, so damage to the lymph nodes and testicular artery is excluded.
The urologist decides which method to treat genital varicose veins. The doctor first of all takes into account the degree of development of the pathology and the extent of the process.
Prevention of genital diseases, including varicose veins
- Scheduled examination by a urologist
. Starting from adolescence, a man should be examined by a male doctor once a year. Having reached 45 years of age, visit a urologist every six months: at this age dangerous diseases appear - prostatitis, adenoma and prostate cancer. - Unscheduled consultation
. Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any discharge from the genitals, rashes, itching, pain when urinating, increased frequency of urination, or changes in urine volume. These signs can indicate serious illnesses, many of which are quite easy to treat at the very beginning. - Diagnostics
. If you are sexually active, get tested regularly for sexually transmitted infections. You also need to take tests every six months if you have chronic diseases of the reproductive system, tumors, condylomas, or pathologies of the male organs. - Treatment
. Follow all doctor's recommendations. If the doctor recommends removal of the tumor or another radical treatment method, carry it out without delay! - Prevention
. When planning to conceive a child, contact a urologist and undergo all the necessary examinations. Remember that all sexually transmitted infections are a path to infertility or the birth of a sick baby. Do not forget that you need to treat STDs at the same time as your spouse.
Attention! At the first signs of decreased libido, impotence, or accelerated ejaculation, make an appointment and undergo examination and treatment by a urologist - this will save you from problems in your personal life.
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