I have a large vericocele on my left side as well and I'm also 22. I haven't been checked out, but because it's painless and has been there since I went through puberty, I'm not in any rush to get it checked. However, I wonder from time to time if working out is good for me as well. I like to lift (although I can't lift very much) and I'd like to know if I am doing myself any harm in doing so. Thanks for your help, anyone.
It really wouldn't be a bad idea to get checked out....
by a urologist.
(GENERAL practitioners often guess or speculate at best) Urologists specialize in genito-urinary matters.
Younger men do risk sterility fooling around with a bonafide varicocele!
My own bout with a varicocele (in my thirties) eventually cleared up considerably on its own. But my urologist discouraged heavy lifting and heavy strenuous activity. Often, men are encouraged to wear a jock strap for support. I also had heard of the surgery option to repair the culprit of the problem and that surgery (as an earlier poster noted) sometimes takes place up into the abdominal cavity to repair a faulty vein or artery situation leading to the varicocele symptom . MY MD told me it wouldn't be such a big deal IF such a measure became necessary. I also "heard" back then that varicoceles are quite common and typically affect the left testicle most often.
Peace of mind would be well worth the effort
to simply schedule an appointment with a urologist, IMHO. I speak from experience. :smile:
We mean well around here, but the LPSG cannot be considered the expert source when it comes to offering medical advice!