Treatment and prevention of varicocele (Part 2)

**Western Medical Treatment**

**(I) General Treatment**

For mild varicocele, a scrotal support can be used to lift the scrotum, and local cold compresses can be applied.

**(II) Drug Treatment**

The following medications can be used to treat oligospermia and asthenospermia caused by varicocele:

(1) Human chorionic gonadotropin.

(2) Testosterone.

(3) Clomiphene.

**(III) Surgical Treatment**

Modern medicine generally advocates surgical treatment for infertility caused by varicocele.

**Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatments**

**(I) Kidney Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation Syndrome**

[Main Symptoms] Scrotal swelling or lower abdominal cramping pain, with palpable varicose veins resembling earthworms, often accompanied by dizziness and lower back pain.

Sour taste, pale red tongue, thin white coating, and hesitant pulse.

[Treatment] Regulate and nourish the liver and kidneys, promote qi circulation and regulate blood.

[Prescription] Tonifies the kidneys and invigorates blood circulation (empirical formula). Ingredients: Epimedium, Impatiens balsamina, Cuscuta chinensis, Angelica sinensis, Curculigo orchioides, Carthamus tinctorius, Foeniculum vulgare.

Fragrant herbs, Lindera root, Dipsacus root, Achyranthes root, Spatholobus stem, and prepared licorice root.

**(II) Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndrome**

[Main symptoms] Scrotal swelling and dull pain, radiating to lower abdominal discomfort, aggravated by exertion; pale red tongue with thin white coating; wiry pulse.

[Treatment] Tonify Qi and promote blood circulation.

[Prescription] Modified Buzhong Yiqi Tang (from *Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach*). For those with significant Qi deficiency, increase the dosage of Astragalus membranaceus; for those with significant blood stasis...

The use of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Spatholobus suberectus is emphasized.

**(III) Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Syndrome**

[Main symptoms]Stinging pain in the scrotum, which may extend to the lower abdomen; dark purple tongue with ecchymosis or petechiae; thin white coating; and thready, hesitant pulse.

[Treatment] Promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, regulate qi, and relieve pain.

[Prescription] Modified Fennel and Tangerine Seed Pill (from *Jisheng Fang*). Ingredients: Fennel, Achyranthes bidentata, Costus root, Corydalis rhizome, Tangerine seed.

Litchi seed, Achyranthes bidentata, Paeonia lactiflora, Angelica sinensis (tail), Ligusticum chuanxiong, Sappanwood, Salvia miltiorrhiza. For those with significant Qi deficiency, increase the dosage of Astragalus membranaceus; for those with significant blood stasis...

The author heavily uses Salvia miltiorrhiza and Spatholobus suberectus.

**VII. Prevention and Care**

(1) Sexual activity should be moderate.

Sexual intercourse should not be too frequent; once a week is generally advisable, especially if the timing of the woman's ovulation is correctly considered.

Having sexual intercourse can increase the chances of conception.

(2) Smoking and drinking are prohibited.

Reports indicate that excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can negatively impact fertility.

(3) Take care to protect the testicles.

For men with varicocele, surgical treatment should be performed as early as possible to prevent testicular atrophy.

(4) Dietary aspects.

Avoid consuming crude cottonseed oil, as the gossypol it contains can inhibit spermatogenesis.