Varicocele embolization - decline in sperm quality

[Muggins2]

Hi

Looking for advice - had a varicocele embolisation in May 2025 to improve my suboptimal sperm results (primarily low motility & morphology & high dna frag (31%)).

2 months post embolisation the overall quality improved massively across all areas, so much so that natural conception seemed feasible, so we said we’d try natural for a few months before seeking treatment.

Tested last month (5 months post embolisation) & there’s been a massive drop off on quality now. This has come as a massive shock as it’s now much worse than pre-embolisation levels which I didn’t think was a risk or we may not have proceeded to try address varicocele. The DNA frag is the most concerning - it’s gone to 44% frag & only 12% healthy sperm (it’s was previously 76% 2 months post embolisation).

Any thoughts re proceeding with assisted fertility now? We are both 39 so feel time isn’t on our side.

[soccerkt6]

Heya,

I’m so sorry to hear this, that must be massively stressful. Is it possible you’ve had Covid in the past few months and didn’t realise it? Covid is known to affect DNA frag. Or had any other illnesses?

Even though I know the standard line is that sperm parameters should improve by 3 months post embolisation, in our experience it took longer. Fwiw, we had our third IVF cycle 3 months after my husband’s embolisation and it was somehow our worst result ever; we ended up with literally no embryos from 15 eggs. My husband then caught Covid the following month so that set us back another 3 months. BUT, we then ended up conceiving naturally later that year (overall timeline was 10 months post-embolisation and 6 months post-Covid).

If you’re worried I might suggest seeing a specialist urologist like Dr Ramsay and getting an ultrasound to see if he can check whether the embolisation successfully held. He could also check for infections which could also be affecting dna frag. But I’d also say that not all hope is lost and it may just take a couple more months to see good results.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you xx

[bluebasket in reply to soccerkt6]

Hi, just wanted to say that we had the same - results 5 months post embolization were worst ever. It's now been 10 months post embolization and the best we've seen is results similar to pre-embolisation levels. Never knew this was a possibility. At least you guys saw a massive increase at some point - that is hopeful!

[Muggins2 in reply to soccerkt6]

Thanks, and great to hear a good news story, congrats.

I have lined up app with a urologist but that’s not for a couple of weeks. I was unwell for a couple of days but I’m not sure if it was covid. Given I didn’t feel too bad I would be surprised to think it could do that level of damage to the DNA frag.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi. Looking good try some selenium and zinc too.40 mgs zinc 130/150 mcgs. Good for motility. Good luck. Diane