NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Swollen veins in the scrotum, known as varicoceles, are a common cause of infertility in men -- now new research suggests that the problem can be effectively treated with a minimally invasive procedure called retrograde venous embolization.
The procedure, which is done via a tiny catheter, works by blocking excessive blood flow into the veins, allowing them to shrink back to normal size.
zation are "similar to those reported after surgical repair," the authors conclude. This treatment could be a "useful adjunct to in vitro fertilization therapy."

Hearing about varicoceles, or dilated veins in the scrotum, may make you cringe. But as many as 16 percent of men—even young men—have this type of varicose vein, a common cause of low sperm count. The condition can cause testicles to shrink and soften, and can feel, as the Mayo Clinic so delicately puts it, "like a bag of worms" above the testicle.
Pleasant, right?
elease a foaming agent that blocks problem veins off. That sounds awful, but it's far more comfortable than some of the more invasive alternatives, says Sebastian Flacke, an associate professor of radiology at Tufts University whose study of the procedure is being published today. All the men he followed had a history of infertility for at least a year; 26 percent went on to impregnate their partners after the procedure.

ScienceDaily (July 22, 2008) - A minimally invasive treatment for a common cause of male infertility can significantly improve a couple's chances for pregnancy, according to a new study. The study, conducted at the University of Bonn in Germany, also found that the level of sperm motility prior to treatment is a key predictor of success.
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s were able to become pregnant."