Varicocele surgery, known as varicocelectomy, is a procedure to remove swollen veins in the scrotum that can cause pain and infertility. The surgery can improve fertility rates and typically allows for a recovery period of about two to three weeks.

There are three main types of varicoceles surgery:

• Microsurgical varicocelectomy is an open surgery that approaches the obstruction through an incision in your groin.
• Laparoscopic varicocelectomy accesses the vein through tiny incisions in the abdomen using specialized tools and a lighted scope.
• Percutaneous embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that accesses the obstruction through a vein in your neck or groin, using chemicals or electricity to block the vein.

Who is a good candidate for a varicocelectomy?

Varicoceles affect about 1 in 5 men in the United States. They can happen at any age. However, it’s more common for people to notice a varicocele during or shortly after puberty.

Almost half of men who have male infertility choose to get a varicocelectomy to improve their chances of achieving pregnancy. Your healthcare provider may also recommend a varicocelectomy if you have a lot of testicular pain or decreased testosterone production.

Does removing varicoceles improve fertility?

Yes, removing varicoceles improves fertility. Pregnancy rates may increase to nearly 70% after a varicocelectomy.

How common are varicocelectomies?

Varicocelectomies are very common. They’re the most common procedure for treating male infertility.