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Knowledge
Knowledge Sharing
06/11
2025
Common Cause of Male Infertility – Varicocele
In our previous post, we mentioned that the success of IVF treatment is not solely dependent on women; the quality of sperm in men is also a key factor.
Varicocele is a common cause of male infertility. It refers to the abnormal enlargement, elongation, and twisting of the veins in the spermatic cord, usually caused by impaired venous return or blood reflux.
Varicocele causes blood to pool in the scrotum, increasing the temperature of the testicles and epididymis, which negatively affects sperm quality, count, and motility.
According to statistics, around 65% of varicocele patients have poorer semen quality compared to healthy men. Among men diagnosed with infertility, nearly half have varicocele-related issues.
The exact cause of varicocele is unclear, but it may be associated with prolonged standing, increased abdominal pressure (such as from heavy lifting, intense exercise, constipation, or chronic coughing).
Most patients do not have noticeable symptoms, but some may experience intermittent scrotal swelling, pain, or a feeling of heaviness.
For men who wish to conceive, options include surgical treatment for varicocele or proceeding directly with intrauterine insemination (IUI) or IVF, where healthy and motile sperm are selected for fertilization outside the body and embryo implantation, thus improving the chance of pregnancy.
