Can traditional Chinese medicine treat varicocele

Varicocele can be treated with traditional Chinese medicine, but the treatment effect varies from person to person. It is usually recommended to cooperate with Western medicine diagnosis and treatment. Varicocele belongs to the category of traditional Chinese medicine muscle tumors, often caused by congenital deficiency or postnatal labor damage to the kidneys, leading to qi deficiency, blood stasis, and loss of muscle and pulse nourishment. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment often adopts the principle of syndrome differentiation and treatment. For patients with mild varicocele, the use of blood activating and stasis removing drugs such as Guizhi Fuling Wan and Xuefu Zhuyu Tang can alleviate symptoms of scrotal swelling. Some patients with damp heat type can improve local blood circulation by combining Longdan Xiegan Decoction. In clinical practice, it is common to apply mirabilite externally to the scrotum or acupuncture and moxibustion at Guanyuan, Sanyinjiao and other points to help improve symptoms. These traditional therapies alleviate discomfort by promoting local qi and blood circulation. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment has certain limitations, and conservative treatment with traditional Chinese medicine has limited effectiveness for patients with severe varicocele accompanied by obvious venous reflux. Especially for patients with grade III varicocele that has affected testicular spermatogenic function, Western medical techniques such as high ligation of the spermatic vein under a microscope still need to be considered. Some patients with special constitutions may experience allergic reactions to traditional Chinese medicine, manifested as skin itching or gastrointestinal discomfort. When combined with acute epididymitis, the use of traditional Chinese medicine alone may delay the condition and require combined antibiotic treatment.

It is recommended that patients first go to the urology department for color ultrasound examination and semen analysis to determine the degree of varicose veins before deciding on the treatment plan. In daily life, one should avoid standing for long periods of time, wear loose underwear, and engage in moderate pelvic floor muscle exercise. Maintain a regular schedule and balanced diet, limit the intake of spicy and stimulating foods, and regularly review the spermatic vein ultrasound to assess changes in the condition. When combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment, it is necessary to inform the doctor of the Chinese medicine being used to prevent drug interactions.