Recent Guidelines and Perspectives for Varicocele: A Clinical Consensus and Recommendations from the Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology

Abstract

Varicocele is a common urological disease and varicocele has long been recognized as a condition that could affect male fertility. Although varicocele is the most common surgically correctable cause of male infertility, not all varicoceles require treatment. Because the appropriate diagnosis and management of varicoceles remain less clear in many patients, it is important to diagnose clinically significant varicoceles that can benefit from treatment. Even in the era of widespread assisted reproductive techniques, varicocele has substantial implications in infertility treatment. The Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology (KSSMA) has sought to develop guidelines for varicocele treatment tailored to clinical practices in Korea. This review summarizes the latest evidence for varicocele treatment, including clinical practice guidelines from various international professional societies, and represents the consensus opinion of experts within the KSSMA.