Male Infertility: Varicoceles

Sometimes, even after a couple has gone through extensive measures to ensure conception, it still never happens. The couple, of course, tries naturally, but then looks to IVF, and fertility drugs; when none of these methods prove effective, the couple may begin to believe that a child just isn't in the cards for them. But the thesis of most fertility treatments is that the woman is the one with the problem. More often than not, the man is overlooked as the culprit when it comes to infertility.

Of course, this language sounds more accusatory than it is actually meant to be. The fact is that countless men can suffer from infertility, and it's nothing to be ashamed of. It is something that simply needs to be considered if a couple intends on receiving the most thorough evaluation possible about their ability to eventually conceive.

One of the contributors to male infertility is called a Varicocele. A varicocele is a varicose vein that appears on the left side of the scrotum and can cause discomfort and, yes, infertility. But sometimes a varicocele isn't particularly uncomfortable. Sometimes a male won't demonstrate any symptoms indicating the presence of a varicocele. This problem, affecting about 15% of the population, mostly goes unnoticed by subjects who aren't actively trying to conceive.

Fortunately, the corrective procedure for a varicocele is very effective, with 96% of patients claiming to have a decrease in pain and as much as 80% demonstrating an improvement in the quality of semen. In both approaches to the procedure, the flow of blood going into the vein is redirected to other, healthier veins: one method is to tie the vein off, and the other is to block off the vein via a catheter inserted through the patient's neck (don't worry, it makes it down there). Since both of these procedures are relatively simple, correcting a varicocele can provide a quick fix for a couple that is trying to get pregnant as soon as possible.

This article details the journey experienced by a couple who was having difficulty with conception - even after IVF - and looked to varicocele treatment as a final resort. Sure enough, the couple was pregnant before the husband could even return for a post-surgery checkup.

Although a varicocele may not be the exact reason for a couple's infertility, it is still something that should be investigated if you are seriously hoping for pregnancy in the future!

Photo attribution: Jurischk