What is Varicocele?
Varicocele, is a mechanical malfunction in the testicular venous drainage system.
It causes reduced flow of Oxygen to the testicular tissue, which deteriorates sperm production. Except of some 5% of genetic factors or rare chronic diseases, Varicocele is defined as the main and central cause of Male infertility that is reversible in most cases.
The Testes produce sperms. They are placed in the lower part of the abdomen.
The drainage of the waste products, which are being produced by the testes (every organ produces waste products), flow via the testicular veins. These veins face two problems:
1. The drainage has to flow upwards, without active pump, against the gravity forces towards the Liver (for recycling), and the Heart.
2. They have to prevent the venous blood from back-flowing downwards to the testes in order to prevent damage to the process of sperm production.
The One way valves along the spermatic veins function to resolve these two mechanical problems. These valves are wearing out along the years and when they malfunction (manifested and diagnosed as Varicocele), lead to abnormal back-flow of renal waste products towards the testes. This phenomenon increases the venous pressure in the testicular tissue that eliminates normal Oxygen flow needed for normal sperm production. Sperm production deteriorates gradually with time.
Who Suffer from Varicocele?
Recent studies show that Varicocele is the cause of over 90% of infertile men. Varicocele may appear in age of 20 with prevalence that increases with age.
It is estimated that few hundred millions of men suffer from Varicocele.
How to diagnose Varicocele?
In all cases of abnormal sperm analysis it is recommended to try to detect varicocele by testicular UltraSound - Color Flow Doppler, by, professional and experienced radiologist.
Importantly, varicocele is a bilateral disease (Studies have shown that male fertility is preserved with only one healthy testis, therefore, problems in male infertility indicates a bilateral testicular dysfunction). Note that technically it is very difficult to detect the right side varicocele by physical examination and even by UltraSound due to fluid dynamic problem in the right side (that is why the conventional surgery along decades treated the left side only, and also ignoring the network of small venous bypasses which causes the treatment to be partial only with very limited and temporarily results).
Hence, it is recommended performing professional test by Thermograph that assist to detect right side varicocele.
Gat Goren Method for Varicocele treatment
Gat Goren method, which is cited in the world leading medical literature, In some 80% of the cases stop the deterioration and leads to significant improvement in the sperm production. (see articles)
The method is based on Interventional radiology. Vein catheter is inserted in the lower abdomen (right groin - far from the sensitive area), with local anesthesia only.
The malfunctioned spermatic veins including the entire network of small bypasses (detected only by means of radiology), which eliminated normal oxygen flow, are gently occluded. Normal arterial flow to the sperm production site is resumed.
After some 3 months improvement in sperm production it is expected.
Firstly, in the concentration, then in motility and later on in the morphology (Sperms' form)/
Morphology is the crucial factor and the best marker for fertility capacity.
How does the process work for people coming from overseas?
The
- If you have undergone a sperm quality / sperm count test the results of which were low, it is highly recommended that you consult with the clinic.
- The team at the clinic will be pleased to provide you with a quick response by telephone or email (recommended) at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
- Depending on the assessment of your medical condition, you will be asked to email the clinic with the results of the last tests you did, along with any other material that the medical team might request. These will assist in determining whether you are suitable to undergo the procedure.
- If the clinic finds that the procedure could assist your condition, a treatment date will be set for you giving you sufficient time to arrange a flight and stay in Israel, and we shall make every effort to take your preferred dates into account.
- One of the advantages of this treatment is the short time that it takes, and the fact that no hospitalization is needed. Therefore, the time that you need to stay in Israel is between 5 to 7 days only. This includes examination, treatment and the time needed to rest after the procedure.
- The treatment will take around an hour and a half, without the need for surgery, under local anesthesia only, without the need to be hospitalized, without pain and with around 80% success rate in improvement of sperm production. After about half an hour of additional rest, you will be discharged to your hotel to rest.
- Before your flight back home, you will undergo another examination.
- After some three months, an improvement in sperm's production can be seen and therefore, a significant improvement in fertility capacity of the couple. During this period, the clinic will ask that you remain in contact for the purpose of remote follow-up of improvement.
For more information about catheterization for the treatment of male fertiltiy problems via the Gat Goren method, please contact the clinic.
