Variocele or hernia...serious replies only please?

Question

I was dx'd by a general practitioner as having variocele (aka "bag o' worms"). My question is, can a hernia be misdiagnosed as this. I've had a small amount of pain in my upper groin lower abdomen for years now along with a multitude of other symptoms (lightheadedness, dizziness, fatigue).

I had an abdominal ultrasound a couple yrs ago, but it seemed that they were not looking much lower than my belly button. I'm not even sure if a hernia would show up on ultrasound.

JD... thank you for clearing that up, I wish I could email you since it sounds like you are a doctor. I'll clarify a bit in case you read this again.

First, the ab u/s was for a severe sharp pain in my RUQ(scale of 1-10, I'd give it a 7) which passed on it's own after about 3 weeks. I hope I didn't waste a load of cash for gas. Either way ultrasound was clean.

The variocele is located around the left testicle and increases and decreases in size sporadically, I believe it was caused by a crushing injury when I was younger. I am 30 yrs old now, underweight 135 lbs at 6 ft tall.

The pain is located on the left side just about where the top corner of the pubic patch begins and is mainly discomfort but turns to pain after masturbating. Walking is difficult when it hurts and I need to lie down. Gently lifting the left testicle seems to help it a little. Then after about 1 hr it is better, but sore for the rest of the night.

Hey thx for answering man, I know I'm skinny but it's all raw muscle. I'd actually like to have the variocele operated on but will have to wait until I have some type of insurance. I understand refered pain pretty well... I researched trigger pts and used them to help with some back pain I was having. Thx again for sharing your knowledge and advice, you deserve best answer and I'll make sure to check your posts on occasion and give ya a thumbs up.

Answer 1

A hernia could never been mis-diagnosed as a varicocoele or vice versa. And, a varicocoele would rarely cause groin pain as opposed to scrotal pain. Depending on left/right, age of pt, true abdomenal vs groin, the diagnoses are endless. Abdomenal U/S for groin pain? This confuses me.

The simple fact that masturbation....and I assume ejaculation...brings it on, it might warrant just a once-over by urology to rule out a referred pain. That is, an epididymitis or some scrotal inflammation which presents with pain in the L supra-pubic area and not where the issue really is...sort of like when the female cervix dialates during child birth makes the low back and sacrum in the rear painful. You'll be ok, but for piece of mind, urologist is my choice for "next step." Be well

p.s. DAMN, you're skinny :P