unnecessary varicoceles surgery ???

[DoeRayMe]

Hi,

My wife and I are trying to get pregnant.  I have done two sperm analyses. Everything is above normal except for my form (shape), the first test said I was at 1% and the second test said I was at 2%.

My Urologist did an ultra sound on my scrotum and said I have a few varicoceles that are at 3.2mm. He has also told me from one blood test that my testosterone level is at 268 which is below average.  My urologist has prescribed me 50mg of Clomiphene Citrate (three times a week); I am also scheduled to do a bone density test in about two weeks.

I have no sexual dysfunctions and I have no pain in my scrotum.  But he has suggested surgery and has implied that besides helping my form (shape) the surgery can help improve my testosterone level.

My GP and the doctor helping my wife and I do IVF (will be doing this soon), both say my sperm is pretty good and just because my shape (form) is a little off; my sperm really is not a factor for my wife not getting pregnant.
The doctor, who is doing the IVF, told me that the operation will have no impact on my wife getting pregnant through IVF and the doctor has said that he/she is unaware that varicoceles removal will help my body improve my testosterone level.

I hope I am making sense.  I think the surgeon is just using me to do unnecessary surgery. My question is, has anyone ever heard of the varicoceles surgery improving a man’s testosterone level? Is there a study that can show this? I am more concerned about my testosterone level then I am with my sperm shape (form).

I am currently scheduled for surgery but I am thinking of canceling my surgery this week.  I am very confused, I don’t want to do unnecessary surgery but at the same time I am not sure if I am supposed to do this?

[DoeRayMe]

OK, so here is a follow up. I had an appointment with my urologist who is also the surgent. And he agreed with me about cancelling the surgury. The fact that I have NO PAIN, the fact that I am 42, the fact thay my wife is 40, the fact that we are procedding with IVF, there is no point for surgury. Again my sperm is GREAT except I have a 2% in shape (4% or higher is normal). If I was 30 years old and if my wife was 30 years old and we were having such difficulty getting pregnet, I would be doing the surgury but because of our ages, we are doing the IVF thing (first appointment is next week).  

OK, about my low testostron levels. I am on a 50mg prescription of clomid, this is suppose to boost my testostron levels, I don't really have any side effects and I have been on this stuff for about six weeks. I did a bone density test and I am in the normal range... so that's good. I hope my posts have helped.  

[phonenaing]

Hi there,

Yes i'm having this aching pain down there if i'm standing/walking or sitting for an hour. Also i'm experiencing this lower back pain (at the center position/ not at the flank).. Does anyone know varicocele and lower back pain related?

[DoeRayMe]

Regarding phoneaning,

I have no sysmtems and my size was 3.2mm... the cut off is 3.0mm. If you have pain... I would do the operation.

[DoeRayMe]

My GP did not say anything regarding my testosterone level... he said as well as other doctors... that my sperm is not bad and I am VERY capable of getting someone pregnant. I am hoping someone in this forum can answer my question regarding the correlation between this surgery and testosterone level. Currently, I have cancelled my surgery... I am convinced that the surgeon sees me as his next paycheck. You know what they say about surgeons... they like to cut. If I can find some study that says this surgery does increase testosterone levels... then I would seriously consider it. My sperm is not bad, I have no pain... the operation has zero impact on IVF... I am uncertain why I would want to do this surgery.  Regarding... "Many Doctors are competent, respectable and honorable"... my surgeon is not that bad, he did tell me the operation will have no effect on IVF... BUT HE IMPLIED that the operation my increase my testosterone level... I just want to see PROOF!!!

Again, I will have this operation at a later time if I can find some study that shows my testosterone level would increase. Another reason why I cancelled it is because I am a little afraid that it may interfere with my wife and I to do IVF… I don't want to put it off for a month because of unnecessary surgery.

[Hernia_Guy]

If I understand correctly, your GP said this surgery will not improve your testosterone level.  I would listen to him.  If you want, get a second opinion from another urologist.  Many Doctors are competent, respectable and honorable.  Unfortunately not all.  

[phonenaing]

Will you keep updating with your Varicocele surgery? I'm also experiencing a varicocele and will see a urologist very soon. Thks.