MMHC - Male infertility, varicoceles, absence of semen, infertility treatments, ART Male Infertility This Web page will review the various causes of male infertility, explain what to expect at the initial doctor visit, and discuss treatment options. It is generally accepted that an evaluation of fertility problems should begin whenever a couple expresses concern and that the male and female should be evaluated simultaneously. The most common cause of male infertility is a varicocele, which is found in forty percent of men evaluated for infertility. A varicocele is a dilation or swelling of the veins that drain the testicle.
Varicoceles can occur on one or both sides, but are most common on the left side.
It is felt that varicoceles cause male infertility by raising the temperature of the testicles thus affecting the testicle's ability to produce sperm. The treatment for varicoceles is surgical ligation of the affected veins, which allows the normal functioning veins to improve the drainage of the testicle. For most patients, an improvement in sperm production can be seen 4 months after surgery. There are two reasons that azoospermia happens. Vasectomy is the most common reason for blockage of the tubes.