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Varicocele (testicular lumps)
- A common and treatable condition
- Avoid complications with an early specialist assessment
- Fertility support and personalised treatment to help you conceive
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VARICOCELE (TESTICULAR LUMPS) AT HCA HEALTHCARE UK
Why choose us?
Our expert urologists and interventional radiology teams are here for you, offering advanced techniques and minimally invasive options to rapidly assess and treat testicular lumps. We also offer quick recovery pathways with easy outpatient day case procedures, meaning that if you do need surgery, you can be in and out the same day.
Specialist fertility care such as semen and hormone testing is available too, helping you to assess and preserve your chances of having a baby in the future. Whatever you need, the experts at HCA UK are here to help, supported by our state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities and treatment technologies.
Specialist fertility care such as semen and hormone testing is available too, helping you to assess and preserve your chances of having a baby in the future. Whatever you need, the experts at HCA UK are here to help, supported by our state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities and treatment technologies.
A varicocele is a lump in your testicles caused by swollen veins. It’s similar to a varicose vein that might develop in your leg and it’s usually not an indication of anything serious.
However, it’s always important to get any testicular lumps checked out because they could be a sign of something more serious, such as testicular cancer. This is easy to treat, if we catch it early. In very rare cases, a left sided varicocele may be caused by an intraabdominal cancer, such as kidney cancer, and your consultant will want to rule this out.
So, it’s a good idea to book in to see one of our urology specialists if you develop:
However, it’s always important to get any testicular lumps checked out because they could be a sign of something more serious, such as testicular cancer. This is easy to treat, if we catch it early. In very rare cases, a left sided varicocele may be caused by an intraabdominal cancer, such as kidney cancer, and your consultant will want to rule this out.
So, it’s a good idea to book in to see one of our urology specialists if you develop:
- Any lumps in your testicles
- A change in the shape, feel or size of your testicles
- An ache in your testicles that doesn't go away
Not all varicoceles cause infertility, although they are a common factor in male infertility cases because they can affect sperm production and quality, which may lead to difficulties conceiving. While varicocele treatment, particularly surgical approaches, can improve your fertility outcomes, it’s not a guaranteed solution.
It’s always best to talk to a specialist who can tell you what the best course of action is for you.
It’s always best to talk to a specialist who can tell you what the best course of action is for you.
The treatment that your urologist recommends will depend on the cause of your testicular lumps. They’ll conduct a full investigation and make a rapid diagnosis.
Sometimes no treatment is needed and sometimes you’ll need radiological embolisation or surgery to manage your varicocele. Occasionally, our investigations mean that patients need surgery for testicular cancer and onward referral to an oncologist for further treatment. Whatever the outcome of our investigations, the extended HCA UK support network is here to expertly look after you.
Sometimes no treatment is needed and sometimes you’ll need radiological embolisation or surgery to manage your varicocele. Occasionally, our investigations mean that patients need surgery for testicular cancer and onward referral to an oncologist for further treatment. Whatever the outcome of our investigations, the extended HCA UK support network is here to expertly look after you.
35,000+
outpatient urology visits across HCA UK in 2024
11,000+
urology specific ultrasounds carried out in 2024
100+
urology consultants to choose from for your care
Fast access to appointments
Speak to an expert urologist or urogynaecologist within 24 hours
Personalised care and support
At every stage from initial consultation right through to recovery
State-of-the-art facilities
Comfortable, private facilities in London, Birmingham and Manchester
Are you worried about testicular lumps?
Book a next-day appointment with one of our GPs.
Have a referral letter and need to book?
Simply book a test, scan or treatment directly today.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
We can help you understand your condition and the best course of treatment.
TESTICULAR LUMPS TESTS AND SCANS AT HCA UK
A fast and accurate diagnosis
Testicular lumps and swellings can develop for a range of reasons. To find out what’s causing yours, your consultant will always start with a physical examination of your testicles. This may include shining a light through your scrotum to check for fluid build-up.
They may also recommend that you have a range of tests and scans including:
They may also recommend that you have a range of tests and scans including:
- Scrotal ultrasound scan
- Semen analysis, if your future fertility is a concern
TESTICULAR LUMPS TREATMENTS AT HCA UK
Expert treatment focused on you
After they’ve conducted a full investigation and made a rapid diagnosis, your consultant will recommend the most suitable treatment pathway for what’s causing your testicular lumps.
If you don’t have any symptoms or they’re not getting worse, your consultant may advise that you don’t need any treatment at all and simply recommend monitoring at a follow-up appointment.
However, if a varicocele is painful or very big, or adversely effecting your fertility, you may be referred to a specialist for an operation to treat it. The treatments you’re offered may include:
- Radiological embolisation
- Microsurgical varicocelectomy, open or via microscope
- Robotic varicocelectomy
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Testicular lumps FAQs
Testicular lumps may cause mild symptoms such as swelling in your scrotum or an ache in your testicle, or you may not have any symptoms at all. While they’re not life-threatening in themselves, they’re a common cause of infertility and your consultant will also want to rule out testicular cancer.
So, it’s always a good to get an expert diagnosis and proper treatment, if it’s recommended.
So, it’s always a good to get an expert diagnosis and proper treatment, if it’s recommended.
Your consultant may recommend treating your varicocele with a minor interventional radiology procedure called a varicocele embolisation. This can have the double benefit of reducing your pain and increasing your fertility.
A microsurgical or open varicocelectomy is a surgical operation on the scrotum that surgically ties off (ligates) the swollen veins and it can take anywhere between one and three hours. A minimally invasive robotic assisted varicocelectomy is typically quicker and usually takes less than 40 minutes.
Either way, you’ll be fully sedated with a general anaesthetic, so you won’t feel any pain during your procedure.
Your urologist will make an incision to access your varicocele and cut and seal the swollen vein, so that blood flows into other healthy veins in your scrotum. They may drain blood or fluid by stitching a small silicone tube into your affected area.
A microsurgical or open varicocelectomy is a surgical operation on the scrotum that surgically ties off (ligates) the swollen veins and it can take anywhere between one and three hours. A minimally invasive robotic assisted varicocelectomy is typically quicker and usually takes less than 40 minutes.
Either way, you’ll be fully sedated with a general anaesthetic, so you won’t feel any pain during your procedure.
Your urologist will make an incision to access your varicocele and cut and seal the swollen vein, so that blood flows into other healthy veins in your scrotum. They may drain blood or fluid by stitching a small silicone tube into your affected area.
You’re likely to experience some minor swelling and bruising after surgery. Most men fully recover from a varicocelectomy and can get back to life as usual within four to six weeks
Alongside swelling and bruising, which should subside, there’s a risk of injury to your testicles. All surgical procedures carry some risk, and your consultant will discuss everything with you in detail so you can decide on the best course of action for you.
Yes, they can. Varicoceles do come back after embolisation for around 10% of men. If that’s the case for you, it may be possible to repeat the surgery. Your consultant will advise you what’s best for your specific condition.
“I chose The Princess Grace Hospital for a varicocele treatment (with microsurgery). I have the pleasure to confirm that this is a top-class private hospital complying with the highest medical, hygiene and service care standards.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.