Varicocele

By RRM Academy Reviewed by Dr. Naomi Whittaker, MD, Board-Certified OBGYN, MIGS, NFPMC, FCI Updated May 7, 2026

An abnormal dilation of the veins within the scrotum (pampiniform plexus), present in 15% of the male population and in approximately 35% of men evaluated for infertility. Varicoceles raise scrotal temperature and increase oxidative stress, impairing spermatogenesis and increasing sperm DNA fragmentation. Varicocele repair (varicocelectomy) results in significant improvement in semen parameters in 60 to 80% of men, with natural pregnancy rates of 43% at one year and 69% at two years when female factors are excluded. Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy is the preferred technique, associated with the highest spontaneous pregnancy rates and lowest complication rates.^53545556

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