A varicocele is an abnormal dilation of the veins from the testicle. Fifteen percent of men in the general population and forty percent of men presenting with infertility have a varicocele, and this is the most common correctable cause of male infertility. The varicocele can be repaired through an approximately 1/2 inch incision made in the groin. This is performed as a day surgery and the patient may return to full activity in one week. Seventy percent of men with infertility, abnormal sperm counts or abnormal sperm function, and a varicocele will have improvement in sperm counts/function after varicocele repair. Varicoceles can also damage the DNA inside of the head of the sperm cells with a process known as sperm DNA fragmentation. When men have high percentage of sperm cells with fragmented DNA, the fertilization and pregnancy rates are lower, and higher rates of miscarriage are associated with varicoceles. Varicocele repairs improve the health of the sperm cells and studies have shown higher pregnancy rates after varicoceles are repaired, even if sperm parameters do not improve and levels of reproductive assistance are required, as the healthier sperm cells do a better job fertilizing eggs and help sustain pregnancies. Dr. Kavoussi is fellowship trained in microscopic varicocele surgery and each perform multiple varicocele repairs on a weekly basis. ​Dr. Parviz Kavoussi was a co-author on a clinical guideline scientific paper on sperm DNA fragmentation and its importance in specific male fertility evaluations, including men with varicoceles.