Varicose veins on the penis

What is varicose veins of the penis

Varicose veins of the penis are a serious pathology, accompanied by stretching of the walls of blood vessels located on the penis. This is fraught with serious consequences, including infertility.

The disease most often affects men of reproductive age. Varicose veins on the penis rarely appear on their own. It is usually preceded by dilatation of the veins of the upper extremities, located in the femoral area, or varicocele.

Varicose veins on the legs in men

Varicose veins in men in the vast majority of cases are accompanied by varicocele - dilation of the testicular veins. The signs of this pathology are:

pain, heaviness, discomfort in the groin area;
drooping left testicle;
the presence of dense venous nodes in the genital area.

As the pathological process spreads, it affects the bottom of the scrotum, which is fraught with complete atrophy of the vein. The consequences of the disease are erectile dysfunction and even infertility. That is why it is impossible to ignore the signs of varicose veins in men. At the first suspicion, you should immediately contact a phlebologist. If the pathology is diagnosed in the early stages, you can get by with conservative treatment without radical surgical measures.

Symptoms of varicose veins of the penis

The main complaints of men with varicose veins on the penis are aesthetic defects and problems with erection. The pathology is accompanied by the formation of nodules and impaired circulation of the organ. The following symptoms may also be present:

pain, discomfort in the penis area;
swelling of the organ;
formation of bruises in the penis area;
bluish discoloration of the veins, change in the color of the skin of the penis;
strong bulging of veins above the surface of the skin of the penis in a non-erect state;
tingling, burning during erection.

Causes and symptoms

The main reasons for the development of pathology are:

heredity – 84% of men diagnosed with varicose veins have one or more close relatives with a similar problem;
obesity – excess weight creates additional stress on the cardiovascular system;
congenital weakness of the walls of blood vessels;
passion for strength sports;
traumatic injuries of the lower extremities;
pathologies of the genitourinary system;
inguinal hernias.

Signs of varicose veins in the legs in men depend on the stage of development of the pathology. At the initial stage it is:

formation of a vascular network, asterisks;
the appearance of bruises even after a small blow;
cramps in the calf muscle;
aching pain, swelling in the afternoon;
rapid fatigue of the limbs;
hyperpigmentation, redness of the skin of the legs, mainly in the lower leg area.

At the next stages, the pathology becomes more visible - the veins swell, protrude above the surface of the skin, forming nodular tubercles. The progression of the disease is accompanied by severe pain even at rest.

Reasons for the development of pathology

There are several main causes of varicose veins of the penis:

traumatic organ damage;
varicocele, prostate tumors and other pathological conditions accompanied by impaired blood supply to the genital organs;
chronic urinary retention, which provokes compression of the vessels that nourish the tissues of the penis;
genetic predisposition;
previous operations on the scrotum, penis;
sexually transmitted diseases;
weakness of the septa of the veins of the penis;
passive lifestyle;
inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs;
the use of anesthetics during sexual intercourse, which delays the process for 30 minutes or more, causing stagnation of blood in the penis;
frequent interruption of sexual intercourse;
abuse of drugs to stimulate erection.

Why do men get varicose veins?

Excessive physical activity, bad habits, poor diet - all this provokes the development of varicose veins on the legs in men. Often representatives of the stronger sex postpone a visit to the doctor until the pathology becomes life-threatening, under the pretext that “it will go away on its own.” However, diseases of the cardiovascular system require treatment and follow-up.

How does the disease progress?

Many men ignore the symptoms of the disease until the last minute, postponing going to the doctor. This is fraught with the development of serious complications. If you do not contact a specialist in a timely manner, the pathology can only be cured through surgery.

Swollen veins on the penis are not normal. Their permissible diameter is no more than 2-4mm. Varicose veins of the penis develop in stages:

initial stage - the veins cannot be palpated during palpation, dilation can be detected only by instrumental methods;
first stage - dilated veins can be felt by palpation in a standing position;
second stage - swollen veins are felt upon palpation in a standing and lying position;
third stage - dilated veins are visible to the naked eye, without special tools, in any position.

At the initial stages, the pathology may not make itself felt. In the second stage of the pathology, pain and discomfort occur during erection and sexual intercourse. The third stage is advanced - there are problems with erection, pain even at rest. The penis may become covered with small trophic ulcers.

If the veins on the penis are swollen, there is no need to hesitate. It is necessary to visit a doctor who will prescribe comprehensive treatment taking into account the diagnosis.

Men's problems. What is the danger of varicocele?

Medical News | Publications

2016.09.11 3:20

Today we’ll talk about the problems of boys and young men.

The child is growing, everything is fine, and suddenly, at the age of 13-15 years, he begins to be bothered by nagging pain and a burning sensation in the scrotum with active movement. You go to see a doctor - and he diagnoses varicocele. Some teenagers endure in silence and do not tell their parents anything. The disease is often detected in young men during sports physical examinations. Therefore, a visit to a urologist-andrologist for boys should be as mandatory as a visit to a gynecologist for women. Be sure to talk to your teens. About everything. It is better to detect troubles in advance, before complications occur, when everything can be corrected. You need grandchildren, right?

What is a varicocele and what is its danger? Normally, blood is delivered to the testicle through an artery, and the outflow of venous blood is provided by the testicular vein. Blood flow through the testicular vein occurs from bottom to top and in order for the blood to flow out, overcoming gravity, there are valves in the vein. With varicocele, the veins of the spermatic cord dilate, causing valve incompetence. The main complication of varicocele is male infertility. As a result of the overflow of dilated veins, the temperature of the testicle increases by 2-4 degrees, which has an extremely negative effect on spermatogenesis. Also, dilated veins put physical pressure on the testicle, causing poor circulation. Due to microcirculatory problems, antisperm antibodies appear in the blood, attacking their own sperm. Which can lead to autoimmune inflammation of the testicle.

Diagnostics. Diagnosing varicocele is not difficult - examination and palpation are enough, but in order to find out the causes of its occurrence, additional research methods may be needed: X-ray, thermography, ultrasound and Dopplerography. A spermogram is very informative, allowing one to assess the degree of impact of the disease on the quality of the ejaculate.

Degrees of varicocele: 1st degree - Varicocele is not detected visually. Diagnosis can be made by palpation only in an upright position of the man’s body. No complaints. Grade 2 - The veins of the pampiniform plexus can be palpated in both a vertical and horizontal position. The testicle and epididymis are unchanged. Complaints of pain and burning in the scrotum. Grade 3 - An enlarged venous plexus can be seen even during an external examination of the scrotum. The testicle decreases in size and feels flabby.

Causes of varicocele: • Insufficiency of the testicular vein valves. In this case, there is no normal outflow of blood from the testicle due to its backflow through the vein to the testicle. The veins of the pampiniform plexus dilate. • Anatomically, the left testicular vein flows into the left renal vein at a right angle, allowing venous blood to enter the testicular vein. This explains the much higher incidence of left-sided varicoceles. • Weakening of the venous wall is also a common cause of varicocele. • Secondary varicocele can be caused by neoplasms that impede venous outflow.

Treatment. In stage 1, dynamic observation is sufficient; in stages 2 and 3, only surgical treatment aimed at excision, ligation or embolization of the testicular vein is effective.

The appearance of pain, swelling in the scrotum, changes in the size of the testicles - all this is a reason to immediately consult a doctor. These symptoms can be caused not only by varicocele, but also by other serious diseases.

Urologist-andrologist Viktor Vitalievich Khorzhevsky

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 of the penis

Treatment tactics are selected exclusively by the doctor after a comprehensive diagnosis and determination of the stage of the disease. Each case is individual. The selection of therapy is also influenced by the presence of concomitant pathologies and the general health of the patient.

Drug therapy

Involves taking medications as prescribed by a doctor. If varicose veins are detected at an early stage, the probability of successful treatment with conservative methods is almost 100%. Patients are prescribed vascular-strengthening and blood-thinning medications.

Also recommended is the local use of ointments, creams, and balms that will help relieve inflammation and get rid of swelling, burning, and itching. If there is no positive dynamics within 10-14 days, the patient undergoes a puncture - a puncture of the skin of the penis to remove stagnant blood.

ethnoscience

There are folk remedies that, in combination with treatment prescribed by a doctor, can give results. These include:

compresses from potatoes, tomatoes, honey, medicinal herbs, cabbage leaves;
the use of gels and ointments containing a concentrate of medicinal herbs;
use horse chestnut decoction - you can take it both externally and internally;
taking medicinal herbs that thin the blood.

Before using traditional methods, you should consult your doctor.

Surgery

In some cases, penile varicose veins can only be cured through surgery. The patient undergoes phlebectomy. A small incision is made on the penis through which the affected veins are removed and then removed. This is a radical measure used only in extreme situations.

The operation takes 30-40 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia. The patient is under medical supervision for 2-3 hours after the intervention, after which he can go home. Hospitalization is required only if the patient has serious concomitant pathologies.

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Recommendations for the treatment period

While taking medications or using ointments, you must refrain from sexual activity and masturbation. During this period, any physical impact on the penis is contraindicated. The same applies to post-operative rehabilitation. It is important to strictly follow all doctor’s recommendations regarding treatment for the therapy to produce results.

Another condition for successful treatment of varicose veins of the penis is wearing loose underwear. You should avoid panties that tightly press your genitals to your body. This style of underwear is incomparable with normal blood circulation in the genitals.

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.

Still have questions about penile varicose veins?

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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.

What are varicose veins? Its danger

Varicose veins are a disease of the veins, in which their walls become thinner, the lumen expands, and “bunch-like” changes in the saphenous veins are formed.
If the disease is not treated, then varicose veins will gradually lead to chronic venous insufficiency, and this, in turn, will cause more serious consequences: the development of thrombophlebitis and trophic ulcers.

Differences between a normal vein and a varicose vein. Source: Jmarchn, modified from Varicose veins.jpg of National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NIH) / Wikipedia