A varicocele is an enlargement of the veins surrounding the testicle caused by abnormal venous drainage. It is found in approximately 15% of all adult men and up to 30–40% of men evaluated for infertility.

Varicoceles may be associated with abnormal semen parameters, impaired sperm quality, testicular discomfort, or impaired testicular development/small testicular size.

Evaluation typically includes physical examination and, when appropriate, scrotal ultrasound, semen analysis, and hormonal testing.

Symptomatic or clinically significant varicoceles may be treated with microsurgical varicocelectomy, an outpatient surgical procedure that can improve semen parameters and, in appropriately selected men, fertility.