The Gat Goren Method for Treatment of Male Fertility

What is the Problem?

Around 15% of couples of fertile age suffer from fertility problems.  It is a common misconception that these problems are divided equally between both partners, but in fact, the more complex problems to be resolved  pertain to the man, who can require fertility treatment as well.  Recent studies show that a phenomenon known as varicocele is the cause of around 90% of male fertility problems.

What is the New Treatment?

After many years of research, Dr. Yigal Gat, Director of the Male Fertility Clinic at Maayanei Hayeshua Hospital, and Dr. Menachem Goren, Interventional Radiology specialist, have found that the main cause of male infertility is abnormal flow of oxygen to the sperm production sites in the testes due to a common phenomenon (Varicocele). Based on these findings they developed and perfected the Gat Goren method for varicocele treatment.  This is a procedure which has become recommended, over the years, by the International Male Fertility Text-Book.

The procedure is based on catheterization performed under local anesthetic only, and it lasts for around an hour and a half.  During the treatment, the entire damaged network of veins in the varicocele is located and treated from both sides.  This treatment enables  to resume normal flow of oxygen to the testicles and enables to produce sperm cells in normal conditions.  The improvement in sperm production can be seen after around  three months, in their quantity, movement and quality (morphology).

Studies published in the leading urology journals around the world show that the Gat Goren method succeeds in providing a response in around 80% of men suffering from fertility problems (not including those who do not have sperm production at all – also known as azoospermia).

For a news item on the subject on Sky News

Advantages of the Procedure:

1. No surgery.
2. No pain.
3. No contact with sensitive areas.
4. No hospitalization.
5. Local anesthesia only.
6. Short duration of treatment (1.5 hours).
7. None of the risks and side effects of ordinary surgery.
8. Quick return to routine, including full sexual activity within 24 hours.
9. Improvement in sperm's production, quantity, movement and in particular, quality of sperm cells.
10. High rate of success (around 80%).

More than 2,500 patients who have been treated with this procedure to date have succeeded in having children, including those who had previously been thought to be completely infertile (who produced no sperm cells at all).

For more information, in greater depth about the Gat Goren method, see an article printed in English in the Jerusalem Post.

How does the process work for people coming from overseas?

The Gat Goren clinic in Israel accepts patients from all around the world. The clinic team makes considerable efforts to ensure that their timetable meets the needs of patients, and the time restrictions on those patients who have come from overseas. Therefore, the clinic takes care to ensure that responses are personal, discrete and convenient. This is done in a few simple steps:

• 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.