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About 40% of men with infertility issues have varicocele. Repair generally improves semen parameters, but it is unknown if that reliably translates to pregnancy. (Because of this, *most* will fix it, but it may not be the problem, and it may not matter. Men with varicocele can get their partner pregnant.)

Repair is surgical, and can be complex. If you go to a urologist, ask them how they repair it. There is no generally accepted "best" way, but there are a lot of opinions of why "my" way is the best way. Think of the varicocele like an upside-down tree. The trunk starts in the abdomen, and as you progress down the groin into the scrotum, the branches get more and more numerous. The surgical approaches are to take out the trunk, the low-lying branches, or to try and clip all of the upper branches. (Mentally draw a horizontal line in those three areas on the tree. One of those three areas gets clipped to disrupt the venous flow.)

Risks: hydrocele (a "water sack" in the scrotum that goes away, or may need to be removed), the varicocele comes back, or most rarely, the testis can atrophy.

The last risk is mitigated by having a urologist who has done this many, many times.

I don't have much advice besides getting a SA at the doctor's, but I just wanted to offer you hugs!

@Cait1: my BIL has this. Took 9 mo for them to get pg - mc at 8 weeks (dnc) - waited a month, got pregnant after trying for 2 months. Sister started using ovulation tests the second time around and feels that helped them time things. They now have a 16 mo old. In my BIL's case they said his sperm count was low - 75% less, I think. I don't remember what motility was like.

Best if luck to you.

I believe DH has this and had it before we met. His DR told him it could cause problems with conceiving but we are pregnant with LO #2 so it didnt effect us at all.

@Cait1: Sure, I should add that I had a HORRIBLE flu-like sinus infection during the third cycle and could barely stand up, so it really took three tries, not four, since there was no BD during cycle three!

My DH had a large one but had it repaired in college because of his urologist's concerns with fertility and such. While it's a serious surgery, like @Espion: explained, he had a good recovery and got our BFP on the first go round when we started trying 4+ years later. I think your plan of seeing how it goes and doing some follow up with an SA or urology appointment sounds great. Good luck!!

My DH has one but his urologist didn't think it was worth it to repair surgically unless I started ovulating. We ended up doing IVF with ICSI to conceive our two month old. I definitely agree with PPs that your husband should have an SA done. Best of luck to you!