Male Infertility

Infertility is frequently a multifactorial problem with contributory factors from both the female and male partners. Similarly there may be multiple contributory factors to male infertility resulting in either a low sperm count or in poor quality sperm with reduced motility or abnormal sperm forms. Dr. Harding treats many young men referred from fertility specialists or Consultant Urologists when a varicocoele might be part of the problem.

It is thought that a varicocele may cause fertility issues as the prominent varicose veins around the testicle lead to a rise in temperature in the scrotum that may impair sperm production. There have been numerous studies in the past, some of which show benefit in terms of sperm production by treating a varicocele. The improvement tends to be more in terms of sperm quality and motility rather than in sperm count. There can be a lag phase of about three months before such improvement can be picked up on sperm analysis. This is because sperm production takes approximately 2 to 3 months. There are no guarantees that treating a varicocele will improve fertility but it is one correctable underlying problem that can be readily treated. It is known that there is a higher incidence of varicocele in men presenting with fertility problems.