https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 16 May 2026 10:28:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042925 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 20:38:35 +0000 swedishfish 1042925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042911 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 20:31:56 +0000 Cait1 1042911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tessabella76: Congrats on your pregnancy! :happy:<br /> @indi: DH's is pretty large also (very obvious/visible) :/ We will just have to wait and see! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042860 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 20:05:22 +0000 indi 1042860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042800 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 19:44:55 +0000 tessabella76 1042800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH has it. Both his urologist and my RE didn't think surgery would make much difference. We're finally pregnant(6w2d) after 3 years and 5 iui's. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042740 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 19:11:58 +0000 Cait1 1042740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: Thanks, I really appreciate the expert information! :happy: He's going to schedule an SA if we get another BFN this cycle and then we'll have to consider our next step.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042700 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 18:50:59 +0000 Espion 1042700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cait1: Yup! It is totally possible that it isn't affecting him at all. When we find varicoceles in teenagers, you would think that we would automatically fix it to preserve future fertility. But we actually don't unless there is discomfort, a serious size discrepancy between testes, or if he thinks it "looks bad". (Men, right?) I would say that it is always safe to get checked out and weigh the risks/benefits. There are many men where repair made the difference in fertility, and many who have many kids and never realized that they have a varicocele. One of our many annoying grey areas. :)</p> <p>@Mrs. Jacks: Heh, I will say that male fertility is certainly not my forté! But varicoceles, I can handle!</p> <p>@ms.janedoe: Lol! Oh, you know, I read Hellobee and the Journal of Urology on the side... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042585 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 18:01:29 +0000 ElbieKay 1042585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042581 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 17:56:48 +0000 Cait1 1042581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pui: thanks for the hugs!<br /> @ElbieKay: I use ovulation tests too, I'm also Type A :happy: it gives me hope to know others have been able to conceive quickly despite the varicocele<br /> @78h2o: Thanks for your response, I've been using OPKs this past cycle. Hopefully that'll help us too </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042574 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 17:52:13 +0000 Lindsay05 1042574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042535 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 17:22:48 +0000 ElbieKay 1042535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, yes, I used wondfro ovulation tests too. But that is just because I'm a Type A planner, not because I was worried about his condition. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042509 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 16:54:46 +0000 78h2o 1042509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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.</p> <p>Best if luck to you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042484 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 16:24:44 +0000 ElbieKay 1042484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband has this condition. We conceived on the second try, but I had a miscarriage. Next time around, once my cycle resumed, we conceived on the fourth try. So far I am still pregnant at 14w0d!</p> <p>He may eventually get the surgery due to discomfort, but assuming we don't encounter fertility issues he will wait until we're done having kids just in case something goes wrong and adversely impacts his "plumbing". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042462 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 15:58:16 +0000 pui 1042462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have much advice besides getting a SA at the doctor's, but I just wanted to offer you hugs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042456 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 15:40:50 +0000 Turd Ferguson 1042456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: Baahaahah, NO clue you were a urologist. I was reading your response and was like, "Wow...I guess someone's done a little light reading in their spare time..." It makes MUCH more sense now. ;)</p> <p>Sorry, nothing else to add to the thread--hope it all works out awesome for you!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042454 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 15:27:04 +0000 Cait1 1042454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: Thank you for your response! So, it is possible that the varicocele is not negatively impacting his sperm quality? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042449 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 15:21:33 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1042449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: It is so so great to have a urologist on the boards! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042441 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 15:11:48 +0000 Espion 1042441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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.)</p> <p>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.) </p> <p>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. </p> <p>The last risk is mitigated by having a urologist who has done this many, many times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-has-varicocele#post-1042432 Sun, 25 Aug 2013 14:55:36 +0000 Cait1 1042432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi everyone,<br /> My husband and I have been TTC for 3 cycles. DH has a large varicocele in his scrotum (sorry, tmi). Does anyone else have any experience with this? Is it possible to conceive "normally" despite the varicocele? He did take the at-home SpermCheck test a few months ago and, according to the test, he has a normal sperm count (&gt;20 million). However, I've read that the veins can cause problems with both count AND motility. I know that we have only been trying for a few months, but I'm trying to be proactive! I'm currently in the TWW and having a hard time not obsessing over everything fertility related.</p> <p>FYI, DH and I are both 24. </p> <p>Thanks guys :) </p>