The frequency of varicoceles in men with primary and secondary infertility referring to two infertility centers in Mazandaran during 2001-2005

Varicoceles are vascular lesions of the pampiniform plexus and the most common identifiable abnormality found in men being evaluated for infertility. There are some reports in the literature indicating that varicocele may be a progressive lesion, however, this remains a controversial subject. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of varicocele in men with primary versus secondary infertility. The records of 2234 consecutive couples with male factor infertility, refering to two infertility centers were studied. The incidence of varicoceles and also some other factors affecting male infertility were assessed in these patients. The frequency of primary and secondary infertility were 82.2% and 17.8%, respectively. The mean age of the men with primary infertility and their wives were 30.2 and 26.0 years, respectively. The men with secondary infertility and their wives were significantly older. (33.8 and 29.1 years, respectively). The incidence of varicoceles was not significantly different among the men with primary versus secondary infertility (42.4 and 43.5%, respectively). The results of this study do not support the progressive adverse effect of varicoceles on men fertility overtime.