Can a man with a varicocele still be considered fertile?

The vast majority of men (80 percent) with varicoceles (abnormally dilated veins in the testes) are able to conceive on their own without utilizing fertility services.

For men whose partner hasn’t been able to conceive, it’s reasonable to assess whether or not the varicocele is impeding sufficient sperm production. Repair of a varicocele in the male partner of an infertile couple is indicated when:

• There is objective evidence of a male factor (i.e. abnormal semen analysis).
• The wife’s fertility status is intact.
• There are no other obvious causes for male infertility (i.e. obstruction or genetic abnormality).