Varicoceles Treatment in Men vs Increase Chances in Conceiving: Not Enough Evidence?

Filed in archive Medical Issues , Pre-Conception , Trying To Conceive on July 29, 2008

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Eliza Snow

Varicoceles is a condition in men with fertility problems.

Varicoceles are a relatively common condition (affecting approximately 10 percent of men) that tends to occur in young men, usually during the second or third decade of life. Sometimes, these varicoceles cause no symptoms and are harmless. But sometimes a varicocele causes pain or atrophy (shrinkage), or fertility problems.

Now according to a review of studies from The Netherlands, there is little evidence to show that treatment of varicoceles in men will improve the couple's chances of conceiving a baby.

Johannes Evers, the lead review author and a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Academisch Ziekenhuis in Maastricht a city in the Netherlands:

"Every year thousands of men are operated on without sufficient scientific evidence that the surgery will have any impact. There have been dozens of observational studies published showing a positive effect. However, high-quality, randomized trials were not able to confirm these positive conclusions.

This review fails to offer evidence that treatment of varicoceles in men from couples with otherwise unexplained subfertility improves the couple's chances of pregnancy. Treatment of varicoceles in men cannot be recommended. The 'first, do no harm' principal should guide us as long as there is no evidence to the contrary."

The procedure often done for treatment is (tradionally) open surgery or (recent years) embolization as a safer, less invasive alternative.

The abovementioned review can be found in the current issue of Cochrane Library. While this new report might solicit mixed reactions, couples trying to conceive has varied options as well.

Find more details from Center for the Advancement of Health.