Editing Varicocele (section)

===== Potential benefits =====
* '''Halt the progressive duration-dependent decline in semen quality found in men with varicoceles.'''
** '''Repair of large varicoceles results in a significantly greater improvement in semen quality than repair of small varicoceles'''
*** Microsurgical varicocelectomy results in return of sperm to the ejaculate in up to 50% of azoospermic men with palpable varicoceles
** A randomized controlled trial of surgery versus no surgery in infertile men with varicoceles revealed a pregnancy rate of 44% at 1 year in the surgery group versus 10% in the control group.
** See Risk Calculator for Predicting Changes in Semen Parameters in Infertile Men After Varicocele Repair
* '''Improve Leydig cell function, resulting in increased testosterone levels'''
** In infertile men with low serum testosterone levels, microsurgical varicocelectomy alone results in substantial improvement in serum testosterone levels