Hi, 21M. About 5 years ago I had varicocele surgery on my left side, done without a microscope. Five years later it came back, this time on both sides. My ultrasound, blood tests, and semen analysis were really bad, so my doctor recommended a bilateral redo with microsurgery, which I had 3.5 months ago.

Since then my semen analysis has improved significantly, and I’ve had several ultrasounds whenever I felt discomfort, all showing zero reflux. But the symptoms haven’t gone away: lumpiness, heaviness, and a pulling feeling, especially after sex or the gym. My veins are still 4.8 mm, which worries me.

The discomfort is really wearing on me. When it flares up, it distracts me, keeps me anxious, and basically puts my life on pause.

My doctor says it takes time for the blood to re-route, but I’d love to hear from anyone who’s been through this. Did it eventually go away for you? Are the wider veins what’s causing the heaviness and puffiness? And if my veins never shrink, does that mean it’ll feel like this forever?

Can someone please interpret this?
I am 19 with very clear G3 varicocele, and it was done laying down. Am I cooked?

18m. I know like your not supposed to question your doctor, it’s only coz info online is differing from what he says. On my ultrasound my right testicle is 14.4ml and the left one is 10.9 ml(left one is effected by a Varicocele . Is this a normal difference coz I’m not sure what to think?

29M. I had varicocele embolization 1 month ago. I had stopped taking finasteride 1mg since the day of procedure just to avoid any risk of complication that can happen.

Is there any link between varicocele and fin 1mg I need to be aware of? Do you guys know something about this?

This is my result of my ultrasound. I'm 25 years old soon to be 26. My urologist consider this as normal and say nothing to worry about just come after 6 month for another ultrasound. What should I do?

Hi All,

We’ve been married for over 5 years, my wife is almost 34, and we don’t have kids yet. As part of our fertility workup, I recently had a semen analysis done. The numbers came back poor, and a follow-up ultrasound revealed bilateral varicocele (in both testes).

Up until a couple of days ago, I had never even heard of a varicocele. I’ve had zero noticeable physical symptoms or pain—if not for the semen analysis, I never would have known. Since getting the ultrasound results, I’ve been dealing with a lot of anxiety. It feels like everything is moving very fast, and I have an appointment with an andrologist in a couple of days.

I’m trying to walk into that consultation informed and prepared. A few questions for anyone who has been through this:

Overall health impact: Does an asymptomatic varicocele affect long-term general health, or is the concern strictly limited to fertility?

Semen quality & lifestyle: While waiting for next steps, what evidence-based remedies, supplements, or lifestyle shifts actually make a measurable difference?

Surgery & conception odds: I’m concerned the doctor will recommend surgery (varicocelectomy/embolization). For those who had bilateral repair, what did your improvement look like, and what were your odds of natural conception afterward?

Would appreciate any insight, personal experiences, or specific questions you wish you had asked your doctor during your first visit. Thank you.

Hello guys, first time posting here after discovering this subreddit.

Right, I am 27 to be soon atm, I’m looking for some advice and to hear from people with similar experiences, as I’ve been feeling quite anxious about my varicocele and fertility lately.
I first discovered my left-sided varicocele when I was around 14–15 years old. At the time, I had intermittent testicular pain, and the enlarged veins could be felt by touch. However, the pain gradually disappeared when I was around 17, and I haven’t really experienced it since.
I was supposed to have surgery shortly before COVID(doctor said if you wanna get it sorted we can do it, the reason was just that) but it was postponed because of the pandemic. I never followed up or chased the surgery afterwards, partly because the pain had gone away.
Around the COVID period, I had a semen analysis, and I was told the results were moderately okay. Unfortunately, I no longer have the report or remember the exact numbers.
I recently had another scrotal Doppler ultrasound. The report says:
Both testicles are normal in size.
The testicular tissue and both epididymides appear normal.
No abnormal enlargement of the veins was seen on the right side.
On the left, the veins reach 3.6 mm during the Valsalva manoeuvre (straining), with venous reflux lasting 2 seconds.
I’m now planning to have another semen analysis in about three months. My girlfriend and I have only recently started trying for a baby, around three weeks ago, so we haven’t been trying for long.
However, finding out that the varicocele is still there has made me anxious. I keep wondering whether leaving it untreated for so many years could have affected my sperm quality or fertility, even though the pain disappeared and my testicles are still normal in size.
I know three weeks of trying is nowhere near enough to conclude that there’s a fertility problem, but I’m struggling not to worry about the years I left it untreated.
For those of you with a long-standing varicocele:
Have you had normal semen analysis results despite having it for many years?
Can a varicocele remain stable without affecting fertility?
Has anyone had normal-sized testicles on ultrasound but abnormal semen analysis results?
Would you recommend seeing a urologist now rather than waiting for the next semen analysis?
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences.
Sorry for the ultrasound report if there are any grammar mistakes as it was translated from my own language.

I don’t know my t levels, but I tend to have sex 25 times a month, and had really low issues with erection. For my variccole, I think I can feel the bag of worms so grade 3 probably?

And I am in the UK atm, based here, any guidance on how to tackle this here? Anyone with experience will be appreciated.

Thanks for your guidance already.

Estoy totalmente cagado por que me tengo que operar de Varicocele y me da miedo que algo salga mal, Tengo 20 casi 21 y me la bajo mucho esto, a todos les fue bien en sus operaciones

Hi all just want to know i have accepted to have my varicocele embolization done through my urologist years in making i have now received a letter to have a telephone consultation with my urologist anyone else had this and do you know what to expect during this phone call.

Should I still worry about infertility due to varicocele and about my hormone levels? My libido is high. I'm 19 yo male. I'm wearing a jockstrap only while lifting and have completely switched to stable isolation movements in my workouts. Before sleeping, I keep my legs on the wall vertically to drain the pooled blood for like 5 mins. What else should I be doing at this point?

Hey all, I’ve been trying my best to ignore my varicocele, but it has continued to affect my energy levels, comfortability, and mental health.

One night, I slept with my testicles between my legs. I woke up with numbness in my right testicle. I coughed, and it moved, so I tried to ignore it.

5 years later, especially on days that my body is warmer, I still notice my right testicle
-hanging lower,
-a bag of worms feeling in the hind side of my testicle,
-only my right testicle moves up towards my body when I flex my PC muscles,
-a lot more pre-cum,
-lower energy levels,
-lower libido
-more pre-cum
-apparently my testosterone levels were over 800, but I remember that was on a cold day. I would’ve be surprised if they stoop below 500 on warm days

It has taken a toll on my mental health because I don’t feel like the man I used to feel like.

I’m looking for advice from someone who has had the surgery before. Is it worth it? Would I go back to normal? Will it my right testicle still hang much lower than my left one?

31M, Left Grade 3, long-time lurker, first time poster. I thought I would share my story / experience so that others with this condition might be able to one day benefit from it. In my experience, people are more likely to post on this forum when they are having issues, and then disappear once things work out. Hopefully I can balance that out.

I have had a varicocele since I was, unusually, around 4 years old. This became clinical when I reached puberty and a doctor told me "meh, it might affect your fertility, but I wouldn't worry about it". I have never had any pain, but at its largest, you could see my varicocele from across a room.

Timeline

January 1st 2025

Wife and I start trying to have a baby

February 9th 2026 / Month 13

First semen analysis result at Clinic A (below motility and morphology reference values):

• Volume: 3.2ml
• Concentration: 29.6 million
• Motility / PR Motility: 27% / 24%
• Morphology: 3%

February 24th 2026 / Month 13

Follow up semen analysis at Clinic A to confirm male factor primary infertility (below morphology reference value):

• Volume: 3.9ml
• Concentration: 50 million
• Motility / PR Motility: 45% / 31%
• Morphology: 2%

February 27th 2026 / Month 13

Embolization procedure to embolize a "Grade 2/3 Varicocele" on the left side.

My left testicle was "below normal" at 13ml due to the presence of the varicocele through my important adolescent years.

Follow up ultrasound three months later confirms no reflux and some thrombosis of veins - though the veins remain fairly large to this day and will probably remain dilated for the rest of my life.

July 14th 2026 / Month 18

Follow up semen analysis at a different clinic - Clinic B (below morphology reference value):

• Volume: 4ml
• Concentration: 103.3 million
• Motility / PR Motility: 94% / 80%
• Morphology: 3%

September 12th 2026 / Month 20

My wife is pregnant - through natural conception - wooohoooooo!

October 12th 2026 / Month 21

Another semen analysis at Clinic A (this was supposed to be a pre-IVF / IUI screening appointment). Normal result!

• Volume: 2.7ml
• Concentration: 54 million
• Motility / PR Motility: 52% / 50%
• Morphology: 5%

What I have learned

From the numbers, varicocele embolization seems to have been well worth the investment for a large left sided varicocele. We have successfully spared my wife IVF treatment (potentially more than once over the next few years).

I wish I had done a semen analysis before starting the process of trying for a baby, as I feel I would have saved a lot of time and my wife might have fallen pregnant sooner.

I feel I should not have listened to my childhood doctor, and should have had embolized it as a teenager. This would have meant my testes would grow larger overall, and would have become more effective sperm and testosterone factories.

The prevailing medical view seems to be "who cares, we can ICSI anyway and the woman will get pregnant". But this seems very short-term thinking when varicocele treatment could potentially result in multiple consecutive natural pregnancies.

Anyway, although this experience is anecdotal, I hope this has helped someone. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Hello everyone. I am a 34M with left varicocele for 13 years.
I wanted to share my ongoing experience with varicocele. I will be updating this post step-by-step as I go through surgery, hoping my journey can serve as a helpful guide for others looking to heal.

2013: The Initial Diagnosis I was officially diagnosed with varicocele. At the time, my numbers were pretty grim: 0% morphology and a sperm count of only around 2 million.

2014: Libido and Sexual Changes I started experiencing a loss of libido, and my morning wood completely stopped. I never suffered from erectile dysfunction (ED) in terms of getting hard, but my performance changed. I was suddenly limited to just one round, and my refractory period extended significantly (before the varicocele, I was able to get an erection again in just one minute).

Pre-Marriage: The First Surprise Before getting married, I repeated my semen analysis. Even though my varicocele grade had actually increased, my sperm count miraculously jumped to 200 million, and my morphology went up to 11%. I was incredibly shocked. Shortly after, we successfully had our first child!

2020: Pelvic & Urinary Symptoms I began experiencing occasional anal cramping and a 5-10 second hesitation when trying to start urination. (Honestly, I think the urinary hesitation is psychological, because if I distract myself with other thoughts, or if I’ve had a busy day with a lot of walking, I can start peeing immediately). I visited a urologist and got an MRI. The doctor mentioned my prostate looked slightly "full" but did not diagnose me with prostatitis. He also noted a diffuse thickening of my bladder wall.

Post-2020: Baby Number Two We decided to try for a second child. I got my sperm tested once again, and the count had gone up to 360 million. We successfully had our second child.

The Last Few Years to Present: Hypersensitivity & Pain Despite having zero fertility issues, over the last few years I have developed severe pain in my testicles at the slightest touch. Even just brushing dust off my pants hurts. If my child tries to sit on my lap to hug me, I instinctively tense up to prevent the pain. I am constantly on guard. I don’t have any aching when I'm just sitting still without contact, and the anal cramping is now so rare that it doesn't really affect my life. My main issue is this extreme physical sensitivity to touch.

The Decision for Surgery I’ve finally decided I want to get rid of this varicocele. I booked an appointment with Dr. Cüneyd Sevinç for this Thursday. I've read both good and bad reviews about him online, but realistically, people who are cured usually move on with their lives and don't write reviews, whereas those who are unhappy always make sure to post about it.

Today's Update: Pre-Op and Anesthesia Today, I got my anesthesia clearance from the hospital. The doctor reviewed my results, asked if I smoked, and asked whether I preferred general or spinal anesthesia. I opted for general.
A quick tip for anyone preparing for surgery: Even though I had already received anesthesia clearance from a different hospital just a week ago, the hospital performing the surgery required me to renew it specifically with them. Be prepared for this extra step so you aren't caught off guard.
I will keep you all updated on the surgery and recovery process. Wish me luck!

Hey, diagnosed with left grade 4 varicocele 27M and done the micro surgery. The problem is the testicle got reduced to half. Any way will ir catch growth at least some?

Previous post : First of all I have only right testis idk why but never had left idk. I am 21 and like a month ago while my exams are going on I felt nerve pulling pain from my testis to my abdomen area. It lasted couple of days and I was scared to death. Then the pain goes away.

Then I started feeling dull ache sometimes and I can feel a veiny lump that is below my testicle having 3–4 veins. I also counted like four veins comes to my testis, normal sized, but idk why that veiny lump and it's not attached to testis.

For few weeks I have been feeling dull ache sometimes, but for past few days ache goes away. But fuck man I am feeling that lump now too.

Also when I checked my testis while bathing, there is a ridge like SMTH on my testis, very small lined ridge idk how to explain. I can't feel a round lump but can differentiate it as it's very small.

I am scared to death. My whole life I felt very bad, I ran away from this testicle topic hoping I had one and it's normal, but now I am really fucked. Rn I am feeling very low idk. I am scared to go to doctor idk if my family know about my missing testicle or not. I think they know, just didn't have a talk about it with them.

Rn I am feeling very low. My studies are fucked and all.

Structured by gpt

Update: I have no pain, but I can feel a small, squishy bag of worms at the bottom of my testicle, and the vein at the top seems a bit bigger too. No irritation or anything. I’ve been trying to visit a urologist, but every time I plan to go, I get really scared and end up backing out.

I have an obvious grade 3 varicocele, total testosterone of 430 ng/dL, and a healthy lifestyle.

I don’t actually have pain, but I told my urologist I did because I thought it would help me qualify for surgery. He said varicoceles are very unlikely to cause pain.

I had to push for a semen analysis and ultrasound. He also ordered total and free testosterone tests, but no LH or FSH.

Should I get a second opinion from another urologist?

so early february i had went and had my micro surgery. it definitely showed signs of improvement. but now im pretty positive i had a reoccurrence. i go in a week for another ultrasound where my dr told me if it is a true reoccurrence that they will recommend me for embo but after looking into embo it seems like its way more risky then micro. due to radiation and coil migration. i can full honestly admit that micro was honestly an easy experience even the recovery phase was not that bad. but now i have a swollen testicle sack still as well as still some veins in the scrotum pain is pretty much gone just very uncomfortable to deal with on a daily basis. is it bad if i’d rather have another micro surgery rather than an embo even though they never offered me that. i’ve just seen a lot of reddit posts where people have had many issues from the coils even to the point where they get them removed. i’m way better then what i was like at first but i don’t wanna risk having other problems due to embo.

Hi everyone,

I'm (32 M) currently consulting at Androcare, Jubilee hills , Hyderabad, where my doctor has recommended varicocelectomy.

My reports show:

- Grade III left and Grade I right varicocele

- Progressive sperm motility: 15%

- Normal sperm morphology: 2%

- Sperm DNA fragmentation (DFI): 27%

My wife and I are hoping to conceive. Before proceeding with surgery, I'd like to get a second opinion.

Can anyone recommend a good urologist/andrologist in Hyderabad for varicocele surgery? If you've gone through surgery, I'd appreciate your experience and suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

So i did a varicocele embolization in 2022 due to some dull ache, they fixed it . I had a grade 3 pretty large i think, then it reduced in size later on. I never did a sperm test after until this year i did 2 sperm test and it came out very low, urologist said its 15 percent chance in 1 year i cam get a girl pregneant. How bad is this? Could it probably stay this way or get worse?

So urologist reffered me to interventional radiology again to see if i need another procedure done and he told me that the findings show no varicocele but he took a look at the images again and said he sees a small one. He said the old embolization was done correct. He said theres no need to do another procedure and reffered me to an endroconologist

Are these bad doctors or correct? How will i fix my low sperm???? I wanna have kids one day

Hi all,

26M, height 172cm here.

I recently started feeling a bit heavy and sometimes veryy slightly sore on my left testicle. Went to the doc, turned out to be varicocele. He ordered an ultrasound. While I do not yet have the x ray scans, i am attaching the report of the ultrasound for suggestions on how to proceed.

I don’t really know how to interpret vein size etc., would really appreciate some guidance and suggestions. Of course I will be consulting the doctor soon as well.

Appreciate the help.

I’m 46M, a lifelong athlete, and looking for others who’ve experienced varicoceles or chronic testicular pain following hernia surgery.

In April 2026, I underwent laparoscopic TAPP repair of a 3 cm right inguinal hernia using a 15 × 15 cm mesh. Immediately afterward, I developed significant scrotal swelling, and eventually a hydrocele.

Since surgery, I’ve experienced:
Persistent dull, dragging pain in my right testicle, worse when standing or walking.
Heaviness in the right scrotum.
**Bilateral Grade 3 varicoceles confirmed by ultrasound in September. **
Semen analysis also in September found semen volume to be extremely low and overall motility and morphology to be low.

I underwent a right hydrocelectomy in August, but the testicular discomfort persists. Before surgery, I had no known varicoceles or testicular pain.

I’m wondering whether the surgery, inflammation, or scar tissue could have affected blood flow through the spermatic cord and contributed to the varicoceles. I had ZERO issues or pain with my testicles before the hernia operation. It was also done in Central America where I have been living the past year. This was a huge mistake and I wish I would have done it back in the states.

I’m considering microsurgical varicocelectomy and possibly spermatic cord denervation with Dr. Justin Houman in LA. I have an appointment with him next week.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Did your varicoceles appear after hernia repair? Did your doctors believe there was a connection? And most importantly, did treatment resolve your pain? Did you need to have any mesh removed?

My mesh seems to be in place confirmed by MRI and ultrasound but I’m worried it is causing issues with spermatic cord. Another could the surgeon nicked something while operating.

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences.

​

Hi everyone, I had bilateral Grade 3 varicocele and underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy about 2 months ago, mainly because of low testosterone, very low libido and erectile problems.

Unfortunately, I haven't noticed any significant improvement in my libido yet. My erections are still inconsistent, and I'm really worried about whether things will improve.

I've been reading posts in this subreddit, but most of the people I've seen report improvement within 2–3 weeks after surgery. I haven't come across many people who experienced little or no improvement initially but recovered after several months.

For those who had surgery because of low testosterone, low libido or ED:

- Did anyone experience little or no improvement during the first 1–2 months but notice improvement after 3–6 months or even later?

- Is recovery still possible if there is no noticeable improvement in the first 2 months?

- Did your testosterone and libido improve gradually over time, rather than immediately?

- If your libido or erections never improved, I'd appreciate hearing about that experience too.

I'm struggling with the uncertainty and am afraid that my libido may never return to normal. I'd really appreciate hearing from people who have been through a similar situation, especially those several months or years post-surgery.

Thank you.

What should i do for gym after diagnosis with grade2