Targeted, minimally invasive treatment for varicocele. Targeting symptom relief, supporting fertility potential, and addressing scrotal pain and swelling — without open surgery.
A varicocele is an abnormal enlargement of veins within the scrotum, similar to varicose veins in the leg. Using advanced image-guided techniques, Dr Rogan blocks the affected veins through a tiny puncture — typically in the neck or groin — restoring normal blood flow and relieving symptoms.
Varicoceles affect approximately 15% of men and are the most common correctable cause of male infertility, though many varicoceles are asymptomatic.
A varicocele is a collection of enlarged veins within the scrotum, similar to varicose veins in the legs. They develop when the valves within the testicular (gonadal) veins fail, allowing blood to pool and the veins to dilate.
Varicocele embolisation is a minimally invasive alternative to surgical ligation. Through a small catheter inserted via the neck or groin, tiny coils or a sclerosant agent are delivered to block the faulty veins, redirecting blood through healthy pathways.
Performed under local anaesthesia with conscious sedation, avoiding the risks associated with general anaesthesia and allowing faster recovery.
Access is gained through a tiny puncture in the neck or groin — no stitches required. This means minimal scarring and reduced risk of wound complications.
Most patients go home within a few hours of the procedure and can return to normal activities within 1–2 days, compared to 1–2 weeks for surgical alternatives.
Unlike surgery which typically addresses one side at a time, embolisation can treat bilateral disease in a single session through a single access point.
Clinical studies demonstrate high technical success rates, with many patients experiencing symptom improvement and fertility parameter improvement in varicocele patients.
Dr Rogan reviews your symptoms, examination findings, and imaging (ultrasound for varicocele) to confirm the diagnosis and plan the most effective treatment approach.
Under local anaesthesia and light sedation, a small catheter is inserted through either the jugular vein in the neck or the femoral vein in the groin. Using real-time X-ray guidance (fluoroscopy), the catheter is navigated to the affected gonadal veins.
Contrast dye is injected to map the abnormal veins precisely (venography). Tiny metallic coils and/or a sclerosant agent are then delivered to block the faulty veins, preventing backward blood flow while preserving normal venous drainage.
You rest for 1–2 hours, then go home the same day. Most patients return to desk work within 24–48 hours and full activity within a week. A follow-up appointment and imaging confirm successful treatment.
Experiencing scrotal pain, heaviness, or discomfort that impacts daily life or exercise. Embolisation offers effective relief with faster recovery than surgical repair.
Varicocele is the most common treatable cause of male infertility. Embolisation can improve semen parameters, potentially enhancing natural conception or IVF outcomes.
Those who want to avoid open surgery, general anaesthesia, and prolonged recovery. Embolisation offers equivalent outcomes with significantly less downtime.
Yes. Multiple studies show that embolisation has comparable success rates to surgical varicocelectomy for both symptom relief and fertility improvement, with the advantages of no general anaesthesia, no incision, and faster recovery.
Varicocele embolisation is designed to improve fertility by correcting the underlying venous problem. Studies show improvement in semen parameters in approximately 60–70% of patients, with pregnancy rates improving in many couples.
Most patients experience minimal discomfort. Local anaesthesia numbs the access site, and conscious sedation keeps you relaxed throughout. Some patients feel mild warmth or pressure when the coils or sclerosant are deployed. Post-procedure discomfort is generally mild and managed with simple analgesics.
Embolisation is very safe with a low complication rate. Potential risks include minor bruising at the access site, temporary mild pain, and very rarely, coil migration or recurrence of the varicocele. Serious complications are extremely uncommon. Dr Rogan will discuss all risks during your consultation.
Most patients return to desk work within 1–2 days and light exercise within a week. Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise should be avoided for approximately 2 weeks. Dr Rogan will provide specific guidance based on your procedure.
Book a consultation with Dr Rogan to find out if embolisation is the right treatment for your varicocele symptoms.
Varicocele embolisation is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure used to treat varicoceles — enlarged veins within the scrotum that can cause pain, discomfort, and impaired fertility. By blocking the abnormal veins from the inside using tiny coils or a sclerosing agent, blood flow is redirected through healthy veins, relieving symptoms and improving testicular function.
Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is a condition caused by enlarged varicose veins in the pelvis, most commonly the ovarian veins. It typically affects women of reproductive age and causes chronic pelvic pain that worsens with prolonged standing, during menstruation, or after intercourse. PCS is often underdiagnosed because the symptoms overlap with many other gynaecological conditions.
Ovarian vein embolisation is a minimally invasive procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. A small catheter is inserted through a vein in the neck or groin and guided under X-ray to the dilated ovarian and pelvic veins. Tiny metallic coils and a sclerosing agent are then used to block the abnormal veins, redirecting blood flow through normal pathways. The procedure typically takes 60 to 90 minutes and is performed as a day case.
Varicocele embolisation is suitable for men with symptomatic varicoceles causing scrotal pain or heaviness, men with impaired semen parameters who are trying to conceive, adolescents with testicular growth retardation due to varicocele, and patients who prefer a minimally invasive alternative to surgical ligation. A consultation with Dr Rogan, including ultrasound assessment, will determine your suitability.
Unlike surgical varicocelectomy, embolisation does not require a surgical incision, general anaesthesia, or an overnight hospital stay. It is performed through a tiny puncture under local anaesthesia with sedation, and patients typically return to normal activities within one to two days. Clinical outcomes for pain relief and fertility improvement are comparable between embolisation and surgery, with embolisation offering a faster recovery and lower risk of complications such as hydrocele formation.
The procedure is performed in an angiography suite under local anaesthesia with light sedation. A small catheter is inserted through a vein in the neck or groin and navigated under real-time X-ray guidance to the internal spermatic vein. Once positioned, small metallic coils and a sclerosing agent are deployed to occlude the abnormal vein. The procedure typically takes 45 to 60 minutes, and patients are usually discharged the same day.
Both varicocele embolisation and ovarian vein embolisation are considered safe procedures with low complication rates. The most common side effects include mild bruising at the catheter insertion site and temporary discomfort. Rare complications may include coil migration, minor allergic reaction to contrast dye, or recurrence of the varicocele or pelvic congestion. Your interventional radiologist will discuss all potential risks during your consultation.
Recovery is generally rapid. Most patients are discharged on the same day and can return to light activities within 24 to 48 hours. Mild discomfort or bruising at the puncture site is common and typically resolves within a few days. Strenuous physical activity should be avoided for approximately one to two weeks. Pain relief from pelvic congestion typically develops progressively over several weeks as the varicose veins shrink.
Yes. Clinical evidence demonstrates that varicocele embolisation can improve semen parameters including sperm count, motility, and morphology. Many couples achieve improved natural conception rates following successful varicocele treatment. The improvement in semen quality typically becomes apparent over three to six months as new sperm are produced under improved testicular conditions.
Preparation involves an initial consultation with Dr Rogan, including a review of your imaging and clinical history. For varicocele patients, a scrotal ultrasound and semen analysis are usually required. For pelvic congestion patients, a pelvic MRI or CT venogram may be arranged. You will be advised to fast for a few hours before the procedure. Most medications can be continued, but specific instructions will be provided during your pre-procedure consultation.