A varicocele is similar to a varicose vein you might see in your leg. Varicoceles are a common cause of low sperm production and decreased sperm quality, which can cause infertility. However, not all varicoceles affect sperm production. Varicoceles can also cause testicles to fail to develop normally or shrink.
Can a man with varicocele get a woman pregnant?
Here's the good news: varicocele infertility is treatable, and it's possible for a couple to become pregnant after treatment. After varicocele surgery, varicoceles may recur in about 10% of men and up to 30-50% of couples will become pregnant.
Can a varicocele cause permanent infertility?
Varicocele and progressive reduction of fertility
The hypothesis that varicocele progressively affects testicular function in adult men is based on the observation that the condition is more frequent in infertile men, especially in those with secondary infertility39,40.
