I also have a varicocele. I had pain and was given antibiotics until I could get an ultrasound, because the doctor figured it was epididymitis. The ultrasound showed it to be a varicocele on my left testicle.
Around 10 -15% of men have them, usually on the left side, but most do not experience symptoms. Men looking to impregnate their wives and find themselves to be less than fertile may find that they have a varicocele. It's easily fixed if you need to become fertile again. The only western solutions my doctor told me about is surgery and pain killers, such as motrin. I think it's ridiculous to take a pain medicine when pain is only a symptom of an underlying problem. I looked for alternative solutions, but having the spelling wrong I didn't find any, which was fine because the pain went away. However, it flared up again and I began searching again, this time with the correct spelling. Apparently the only western solutions are surgery and what's called embolization, which is the implanting of a coil into the vein.
Some alternative options are herbs and/or a scrotal support. Not sure where you could get the scrotal support or supportive underwear, but i'm sure a search would bring something up.
I'm going the herbal route, along with some exercises. I say exercises, because a varicocele is basically just a varicose vein, which can be caused by poor circulation. Poor diet, clogged liver, etc. Can cause poor circulation, but exercise also helps. The herbs used are the same used for varicose veins, so if you don't find specific products for varicoceles, varicose should be fine. I found a homeopathic remedy being sold, but i've never really learned much about homeopathic remedies. Many of the ingredients are the same herbs used in herbal products though, so if you find it and want to try it, that's cool. I think it was called ultra varicocele treatment or something or other. I'm using a varicose vein product which contains butcher's broom and horse chestnut, along with another product of bilberry with extra bioflavanoids. Search around for varicocele treatments and you might find what to look for in terms of dosage and strength of the herbal extracts.
I also read of externally applying these herbs and others for varicose veins, as well as hamamelis for variocele. Hamamelis is one of the ingredients of that homeopathic remedy I told you about. I found a varicose vein cream that contains hamamelis, butcher's broom, horse chestnut, and other ingredients that I had read were beneficial for external application. Probably should talk to a doctor about it first, since the genitals are thin and more readily absorb what you apply.
I just began using these herbs a week ago and treatment could take 3-6 or more months, but if you don't want to start now, i'll let you know. Just remind me in a few months, because i'll probably forget. Also, mine only recently flared up again after a few months without many problems, so when I do report back it won't be because I had another ultrasound proving healing, it will be just based on symptoms. But even when the problem hasn't flared up, i'd still get minor signs that it was still there occasionally, so I should be able to state a degree of healing.
