The main reason for getting rid of a varicocele is if you're having problems fathering children. Varicoceles are more common among men with some types of fertility problem.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
World Health Organization.
The influence of varicocele on parameters of fertility in a large group of men presenting to infertility clinics.
Fertility and Sterility. 1992; 57: 1289-1293.

 

 

 

 

 

¹ But we're not certain exactly what the link is between a varicocele and trouble having children.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Evers JL, Collins JA.
Surgery or embolisation for varicocele in subfertile men (Cochrane review).
In: The Cochrane Library. Wiley, Chichester, UK.

 

 

 

 

 

² Some men with a varicocele have children without any treatment.

To read about other problems that might make it more difficult to have children, see our information on fertility problems.

Your doctor will probably be able to diagnose a varicocele by examining your testicles. So you may not need any other tests. But after your physical exam, if your doctor's not sure you have a varicocele, you might need to have an

 

 

 

 

 

ultrasound
Ultrasound is a tool doctors use to create images of the inside of your body. The ultrasound machine sends out high-frequency sound waves, which are directed at an area of your body through a device such as a probe. The waves reflect off parts of your body to create a picture. Ultrasound is often used to see a developing baby inside a woman's womb.

 

 

 

 

 

ultrasound scan.

Your doctor will ask you about your health and whether you've had children before. If you're currently trying to have a baby, your doctor will ask how long you've been trying.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
American Urological Association and American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Report on varicocele and infertility.
Available at http://www.asrm.org/Media/Practice/varicocele.pdf (accessed on 14 January 2009).

 

 

 

 

 

³ They may also want to examine your partner.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
Fertility: assessment and treatment for people with fertility problems.
February 2004. Clinical guidance 11. Available at http://www.nice.org.uk/cg11 (accessed on 14 January 2009).

 

 

 

 

 

⁴

You'll also be asked to provide a sample of your semen. You'll probably have to do this at least twice.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
American Urological Association and American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Report on varicocele and infertility.
Available at http://www.asrm.org/Media/Practice/varicocele.pdf (accessed on 14 January 2009).

 

 

 

 

 

³ This lets the doctor see if you have problems with your sperm (such as having abnormally shaped sperm). If you do, it might be more difficult for you to make your partner pregnant.

There hasn't been much good research to tell us what happens if you don't have a varicocele treated. Some men find that the testicle on the side on which they have a varicocele shrinks.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
American Urological Association and American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Report on varicocele and infertility.
Available at http://www.asrm.org/Media/Practice/varicocele.pdf (accessed on 14 January 2009).

 

 

 

 

 

³ Some men get pain or discomfort in their testicles. Others don't get any symptoms at all.

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