Treat a varicocele without surgery.
Varicocele embolization is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure that corrects the abnormal veins causing your pain or infertility — no incisions, no stitches, no general anesthesia. Over 90% success, done as an outpatient with a quick recovery, by Dr. Atabak Allaei — a distinguished, double board-certified specialist who performs a high volume of these procedures.
Varicocele embolization at a glance
Success rate, similar to surgery
Varicocele embolization is a non-surgical, outpatient treatment for a varicocele — abnormally enlarged veins in the scrotum that can cause pain, testicular shrinkage, and infertility. Using X-ray guidance, Dr. Allaei threads a tiny catheter to the abnormal veins and places coils and foam to block the backed-up blood flow, diverting it into normal veins. It has a success rate over 90% — similar to surgery — with no incisions, no general anesthesia, and a quick recovery, performed by a distinguished specialist who does this routinely.
Pinhole nick, no incisions
Embolization is only as good as the hands performing it
Coil sizing and recognizing every abnormal vein are what separate a durable result from a recurrence — so this procedure rewards deep embolization experience and exceptional catheter skill.
Your procedure is performed by Dr. Atabak Allaei, a double board-certified vascular and interventional radiologist — and by the physician, not an assistant or non-physician provider. This is a primary embolization practice with more than 5,000 image-guided procedures, which is exactly the background that keeps varicocele embolization safe, accurate, and durable.
Every appointment and procedure is conducted by our board-certified doctor — never an assistant or non-physician provider — from consultation through follow-up.
Embolization is the focus here, with 5,000+ image-guided procedures across the venous and vascular system — the volume and familiarity that complex anatomy demands.
Precise coil placement and proper sizing prevent migration and recurrence. Expert catheter and wire control is what makes embolization both effective and durable.
Board-certified in Vascular & Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology, with sub-specialty fellowship training and an excellent safety record.
Read more about our specialist, or see why patients choose us.
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Advantages of varicocele embolization
Varicocele embolization uses the body's own anatomy to reach the abnormal veins without opening the skin — minimizing infection risk and allowing a quick recovery.
- Minimally invasive
- No stitches
- No internal cutting, bleeding or burning
- No general anesthesia
- No risk to the testicular artery and nerve
- No risk of hydrocele
- Outpatient
- Quick recovery
Varicocele: what is the cause?
A varicocele is an abnormal enlargement of the testicular veins that occurs when the valves controlling blood flow become defective and blood backs up.
The scrotum contains the testicles and epididymis, the place where your sperm are made and stored.4 Testicular veins drain the used blood out of the scrotum and back to the heart and lungs to be re-oxygenated. This allows for proper storage and development of the sperm.
When the valves regulating blood flow in the testicular vein turn defective, the blood backs up and the veins get bigger. Why is this an issue? This backed-up blood is used blood, which can cause pain and affect temperature regulation. The stagnant blood flow leads to swelling of the testicular veins, which can be picked up on examination or ultrasound. Varicocele refers to abnormal enlargement of these abnormal testicular veins in the abdomen and scrotum.1 You can experience pain, discomfort, testicular shrinkage, and infertility.
Symptoms of varicocele
- Aching pain in the scrotum during standing or activities
- Enlarged palpable scrotal veins
- Pain or pressure in the scrotal area
- Decreased sperm count or sperm function
- Shrinking of the testicle size over time
What is varicocele embolization?
Embolization is a non-surgical, minimally invasive technique that uses X-ray guidance to block blood flow through the abnormal veins — without opening up the body.
Varicocele can be treated by embolization or surgery. Embolization is a non-surgical, outpatient, minimally invasive technique that uses X-ray guidance to see inside the body. This allows the treatment to be done without opening up the body. Embolization is the process of blocking the blood flow through these abnormal veins.
For varicoceles this is done by placing special foam and plugs (called coils) to block the blood flow in the abnormal veins.2,3 A successful varicocele embolization diverts blood into normal veins, preventing blood from pooling backwards into the scrotum. Once the flow is corrected and the varicocele is no longer present, symptoms improve.
Am I a candidate for varicocele embolization?
Treatment is offered for males who have fertility problems, pain, or — in boys — a smaller testicle that raises the risk of future fertility problems.
Treatment is offered for males who have:
- Fertility problems (low sperm count and malfunction)
- Pain
- Boys with a smaller testicle; at a higher risk for fertility problems when they are older
Non-surgical varicocele embolization: what to expect
Dr. Allaei performs the procedure through a small pinhole nick — the patient is discharged within an hour, with no wide incision or stitches.
Your varicocele embolization is an image-guided procedure performed by Dr. Atabak Allaei, a double board-certified vascular and interventional radiologist who performs these routinely. The procedure is highly effective and offers a non-surgical alternative to surgery. It is less invasive and the patient is discharged within an hour after the procedure. The procedure is done through a small pinhole nick in the skin — wide surgical incision and stitches are not required.
Once in the abnormal vein, special foam and coil plugs are placed through a tiny tube called a catheter. Platinum coils, gelatin sponge, and sclerosing agents are the most commonly used blocking agents for the procedure.7 The catheter is then removed and a Band-Aid is applied. The varicocele embolization procedure typically takes an hour to complete, and the patient is discharged typically after an hour of observation.
Suitable candidate for varicocele embolization
Anyone with symptoms of a varicocele is a candidate — but the diagnosis must first be confirmed by ultrasound.
Anyone with symptoms of a varicocele is a candidate for varicocele embolization. You are a suitable candidate for varicocele embolization if you have:
- Aching pain in the scrotum during standing or activities
- Enlarged palpable scrotal veins
- Pain or pressure in the scrotal area
- Decreased sperm count or sperm function
- Shrinking of the testicle
- Infertility due to a varicocele8
Prior to candidacy, the diagnosis needs to be confirmed by ultrasound.
Non-surgical varicocele embolization: preparation
Preparation is simple: no eating or drinking for eight hours beforehand, stay hydrated the day before, and arrange a ride home.
Preparation for embolization is rather simple. No eating or drinking eight hours prior to your procedure time. Adequate hydration with water the day prior helps the kidneys flush the contrast dye after the procedure. Get rest and avoid stressful activities the week of your procedure. If you have a fever or new infection you would be asked to postpone the procedure. Avoid alcohol and smoking 24 hours before the procedure and avoid resuming until 2–3 days after. Often patients are advised to stop blood thinners and NSAIDs a day before the procedure. Pre-existing health issues, allergies, and ongoing medication will be reviewed to make sure it is suitable for the procedure. Plan for a responsible adult to drive you to and pick you up from the facility.
Varicocele embolization vs. surgery
Embolization is an effective alternative to surgery with an almost identical success rate — but with many advantages over a surgical operation.
Embolization
- Minimally invasive procedure
- Outpatient procedure
- Faster recovery
- No stitches
- No internal cutting, bleeding or burning
- No hospitalization
- No general anesthesia
- No risk to the testicular artery and nerve
- No risk of hydrocele
Varicocelectomy
- Surgical incision required
- Often performed in a hospital
- Longer recovery
- Stitches required
- Internal cutting involved
- May require hospitalization
- Often general anesthesia
- Some risk to the testicular artery and nerve
- Risk of hydrocele
Varicocele embolization presents an effective alternative to surgery. While the rate of success is almost the same, it provides many advantages over surgical intervention. Compare all the options on our treatment comparison chart.
Non-surgical varicocele embolization: recovery
Most men are discharged after about an hour, resume normal activities the next day, and avoid strenuous activity for just 2–3 days.
Patients are discharged home typically after a one-hour observation. Rest is recommended the first 24 hours due to the IV sedation. Patients can resume normal activities the next day. Strenuous activities and exercise should be avoided for 2 to 3 days. There can be some mild aching after the procedure along the abdomen for a few days. Typically an anti-inflammatory medication or over-the-counter pill suffices for the discomfort; it is unlikely to need narcotic medication as with surgery.
Risks and limitations
In experienced hands this is a very low-risk procedure — but in untrained hands, coil misplacement, migration, or missed veins can cause recurrence.
In the hands of an experienced specialist like Dr. Allaei, this is a very low-risk procedure. Bruising at the access site can occur. In untrained hands there can be a risk of coil misplacement. Improper sizing of the coils could result in migration or movement of the coils out of the vein. Recurrence can occur if all of the abnormal veins are not recognized and treated — which is exactly why it matters who performs it.
Varicocele embolization success rate
Varicocele embolization has a high success rate of over 90% — similar to surgery — with more than 20 years of use and an excellent safety record.
Varicocele embolization has a high success rate of over 90%, similar to surgery. Varicocele embolization has been performed for over 20 years with an excellent safety record. The safety and effectiveness has been demonstrated in several large trials.
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Who performs your varicocele embolization?
At Varicocele Doctor, every varicocele embolization is performed by Dr. Atabak Allaei, a double board-certified vascular and interventional radiologist — and by the physician, not an assistant or non-physician provider. Because outcomes depend so heavily on coil sizing, complete treatment of every abnormal vein, and precise catheter technique, your procedure is performed by an expert with deep embolization experience.
Atabak Allaei, MD
Double board-certified in Vascular & Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology by the American Board of Radiology, with sub-specialty fellowship training and a proven track record of more than 5,000 image-guided procedures.
Varicocele embolization: common questions
What is varicocele embolization?
Varicocele embolization is a non-surgical, outpatient, minimally invasive procedure that uses X-ray guidance to block blood flow through abnormal testicular veins. Through a tiny catheter, special foam and coil plugs are placed to divert blood into normal veins, preventing it from pooling backward into the scrotum. Once flow is corrected and the varicocele is gone, symptoms improve.
What is the success rate of varicocele embolization?
Varicocele embolization has a high success rate of over 90%, similar to surgery. It has been performed for over 20 years with an excellent safety record, and its safety and effectiveness have been demonstrated in several large trials.
Is varicocele embolization better than surgery?
Embolization has a success rate almost the same as surgery but offers several advantages: it is minimally invasive, outpatient, with faster recovery, no stitches, no internal cutting or burning, no hospitalization, no general anesthesia, no risk to the testicular artery and nerve, and no risk of hydrocele.
Does varicocele embolization help with fertility?
Yes. About 30% of male infertility cases are linked to a varicocele. By correcting the abnormal blood flow, varicocele embolization can improve semen parameters and help restore fertility, as shown in published studies.
How do I prepare for varicocele embolization?
Do not eat or drink for eight hours before the procedure, and hydrate well with water the day before to help your kidneys flush the contrast dye. Avoid alcohol and smoking for 24 hours before (and 2–3 days after), and you may be asked to stop blood thinners and NSAIDs a day before. Arrange a responsible adult to drive you to and from the facility.
What is recovery like after varicocele embolization?
Patients are usually discharged after about one hour of observation. Rest is recommended for the first 24 hours due to the IV sedation, and most men resume normal activities the next day, avoiding strenuous activity and exercise for 2–3 days. Mild aching along the abdomen for a few days is normal and usually managed with an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory; narcotic medication is unlikely, unlike with surgery.
What are the risks of varicocele embolization?
In experienced hands this is a very low-risk procedure. Bruising at the access site can occur. In untrained hands there is a risk of coil misplacement or migration if coils are improperly sized, and recurrence can happen if not all abnormal veins are recognized and treated — which is why operator experience matters.
Am I a candidate for varicocele embolization?
Anyone with symptoms of a varicocele may be a candidate — including aching scrotal pain with standing or activity, enlarged palpable scrotal veins, pressure in the scrotum, decreased sperm count or function, testicular shrinkage, or infertility due to a varicocele. The diagnosis must first be confirmed by ultrasound.
Explore varicocele treatment further
Treatment Comparison
Embolization vs. surgery vs. medical management.
Microsurgical Varicocelectomy
The surgical option, explained.
Clinical Evidence
The research behind embolization.
Diagnosing Varicocele
How a varicocele is confirmed by ultrasound.
Our Specialist
Meet the board-certified IR who treats you.
Find a Location
Los Angeles, Orange County & San Diego.
We are here to help
Request an appointment to meet with our varicocele specialist, who will review your imaging, labs and history to determine if you are a candidate and the outcomes you can expect. Each person is an individual and should discuss the potential risks and benefits of embolization and other treatments with our doctor to decide which option is best. Appointments are available via online video telehealth or in person in Los Angeles, Orange County or San Diego.
