Patient Success Stories

"If I had known sooner that the varicocele was the reason for us not getting pregnant, I would have had the procedure right away."

Michael D. and his wife wanted a large family. Two years after marrying, the couple gave birth to their first child, a healthy baby boy. After their son was born, the couple decided to wait a few years before having more children. But when they began trying two years later, they had a difficult time. "We had no success after six months, then twelve months," says Michael. "At that point we began to get concerned because we wanted a big family and time was ticking away."

The couple decided to consult an infertility specialist, who recommended an aggressive course of artificial insemination. "But we tried 10 or 11 times, with no success," says Michael. So the physician suggested an ultrasound, which confirmed that Michael had varicoceles. After the diagnosis, the physician told the couple about Steve Smith, MD, who explained how varicocele embolization could increase their chance of becoming pregnant.

Michael says he was amazed at how easy the procedure was. "It was pretty painless, and I was up and about the day afterward, although I did experience some minor discomfort on the third day." Michael was back to work in a few days, and back to his normal activities in about a week.

Approximately six months later after the procedure, Michael's wife became pregnant with a lovely baby girl. A short time after having their first daughter, the couple became pregnant with another girl, and hopes to have a fourth child in the near future. Says Michael, "I can't see why a man wouldn't have an embolization sooner rather than later. If I had known sooner that the varicocele was the reason for us not getting pregnant, I would have had the procedure right away."

Michael D., age 38
Northern Illinois

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