Varicocele - anyone's DH/P had experience of this condition?

[Coathanger]

My DH is off to have a scan on his, ahem, testicles tomorrow ( on his behalf) He came to me saying "it" was very swollen a couple of weeks ago si I mad ehim an appointment with his GP and he said it was most likely to be a varicocele - varicose veins in the scrotum. Basically, for those who don't know, it is where a valve in the vein that drains the testicle breaks and causes pooling of blood.

My dilema is that I would love another baby, and this condition, as far as I can see, causes infertility.

Have any of you heard of or know anything about this. Does it always cause infertility? I know there are ways of repairing it but do they work?

Hope some one can help...

Sorry spelling was terrible in that post. I do apologise...

Anyone?...

Bumping this one for the morning people...

So, nobody has ever heard of this then?

Ah well, forget I asked

Message withdrawn

CH, my dh has had this...

It can cause infertility, due to the varicose veins raising the temperature of the testicles slightly, thereby slowing down sperm production, but it doesn't always- depends on the individual, really.

The treatment is a very simple operation to tie off the leaky vein. The scar is invisible, and it doesn't cause as much bruising/ swelling as a vasectomy (for example).

Don't worry, it won't scupper your chances of another baby.

Thank goodness someone has heard of it. I was beginning to think DH was a freak!

I am very reassured by the fact it doesn't always cause infertility And I think DH noticed it quite early. I will tell him the procedure to rectify it is simple and he might be more up for it.

Thank you so much

I think it might also be a hydrocele (not sure if only babies get them) which is similar but involves extra fluid in testicle because of faulty valve. Also not serious and can be treated.

DH had his scan today and it is deffo a varicocele. The sonographer also commented on the fact it was quite large so I'm guessing that he probably is infertile now, or at least with only half his fertility, as surely his other "one" is working okay. I think he is goign to have it sorted out though as he did say it was getting quite uncomfortable now.

Ah well, it looks as though I will have to wait for my baby

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this BTW - very grateful

CH, it's only one cause of infertility, and as you say he still has the other "one".

My dh's son was conceived before he had his varicocoele fixed. Stop worrying about it, and keep trying!

thanks Tissy - I'm glad there is some hope thank you