On 21/4, doctor Nguyen Van Phuc from the Andrology Department at 108 Military Central Hospital, reported the case of an unmarried man who sought a reproductive health check-up to ensure peace of mind before his wedding. The 28-year-old patient had not experienced severe pain, fever, or any disruption to his daily activities. He only occasionally felt a mild discomfort in his left scrotum after prolonged standing or strenuous physical activity, which is why he had not previously sought medical attention.

During the clinical examination, doctor Phuc noted that the patient's left testicle appeared smaller than the right. A scrotal ultrasound confirmed left varicocele, showing an increased diameter of the dilated vein during the Valsalva maneuver, indicating blood reflux. The left testicle exhibited signs of reduced size compared to the opposite side. Consequently, the patient was diagnosed with left testicular atrophy caused by varicocele.

According to doctor Phuc, varicocele is a common urological condition that is often overlooked because many cases progress silently with few clear symptoms. Most patients only discover the condition incidentally during infertility evaluations, general reproductive health check-ups, or pre-marital screenings.

"This condition involves abnormally dilated veins around the testicle, which can affect blood circulation in the scrotum, increase local temperature, and over time, potentially impact sperm production and testicular volume. If left untreated for an extended period, patients face risks of reduced sperm quality, testicular atrophy, and impaired fertility", doctor Phuc explained.

Illustration of a man undergoing a health check-up. *Photo: Vecteezy*

Varicocele is more common on the left side due to specific vascular anatomical characteristics. While some patients experience scrotal pain, a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, or discomfort when standing for long periods or engaging in sports, many cases present with almost no noticeable signs until a specialized examination is performed.

Doctors emphasize that pre-marital check-ups are important not only for detecting sexually transmitted diseases or assessing general health but also for evaluating male reproductive health. Conditions such as varicocele, undescended testicles, hormonal abnormalities, or abnormal semen analysis can be detected during this crucial stage.

Although this particular case was identified before marriage, a delayed diagnosis could lead to significant risks for patients. These include reduced sperm quality, impaired ability to conceive, progressive testicular atrophy, persistent scrotal pain affecting daily life, and a negative impact on physiological function and overall quality of life.

Doctor Phuc advises men to proactively undergo reproductive health check-ups before marriage. This is especially important if they experience symptoms like scrotal pain, notice one testicle is smaller than the other, feel a heaviness in the scrotum, or have been trying to conceive for a long time without success.

"Many men are hesitant to get examined, believing that if their daily functions are normal, there is no underlying problem. However, some conditions progress silently and are only discovered after they have already caused clear effects. Early detection and timely treatment better protect future reproductive ability", doctor Phuc stated.

Le Nga