Varicocele Treatment Without Surgery: A Clear Guide for Men in Saudi Arabia

Oct 16, 2026|7 min read|IRCC Pakistan editorial team

Written by the IRCC Pakistan editorial team | Medically reviewed by Dr. Shahbaz Ahmed Qazi, Interventional Radiologist | Last updated: October 2026

Quick answer: A varicocele can be treated without surgery through varicocele embolization. A doctor reaches the faulty testicular vein through a tiny puncture in the groin or neck and closes it from the inside with small coils or a sealing liquid. There is no cut on the scrotum, it is done under local anaesthetic, and most men go home the same day and return to desk work within one to two days.

Many men in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Khobar live with a dull ache in the scrotum for years before they see a doctor. Others only find out about a varicocele when they and their wife have been trying for a baby and a semen test comes back low. Either way, the next word they usually hear is surgery.

Surgery is a good option, but it is not the only one. This guide walks you through the non-surgical choice, what the research says, and how men living in Saudi Arabia can arrange treatment in Pakistan.

What is a varicocele?

A varicocele is a group of swollen veins above the testicle, usually on the left side. It happens when small valves inside the testicular vein stop working properly, so blood pools instead of flowing back towards the heart. Doctors often compare it to varicose veins in the leg.

Varicoceles are common, found in roughly one in seven men, and they are much more common among men being checked for infertility.

Signs you may have a varicocele

A dull, dragging ache in the scrotum that gets worse after standing, driving long distances or exercise, and eases when you lie down
A soft lump above the testicle, often described as feeling like a bag of worms
One testicle looking or feeling smaller than the other
Low sperm count or poor sperm movement on a semen analysis

Hot weather can make the heaviness more noticeable, which is something many men in the Gulf mention. Diagnosis is simple: a physical examination and a scrotal Doppler ultrasound.

Can a varicocele go away on its own?

No. A varicocele does not disappear without treatment, because the faulty valves do not repair themselves. Supportive underwear and pain relief can ease the ache, but they do not fix the vein.

That does not mean every varicocele needs treating. Small varicoceles that cause no pain and no fertility problems are often just monitored.

When is treatment recommended?

Persistent pain or heaviness that affects work or sleep
Abnormal semen analysis in a couple trying to conceive
Shrinking of the testicle on the affected side, especially in younger men
A varicocele that came back after previous surgery

Varicocele embolization: how it works

Embolization is performed by an interventional radiologist using live X-ray imaging. Here is the usual sequence:

You lie on the table and receive local anesthetic, with light sedation if you wish. You stay awake.
A thin catheter is passed through a small puncture in a vein in the groin or neck.
The doctor injects contrast dye to map the faulty testicular vein and any side branches.
The vein is closed using tiny metal coils, a sclerosant liquid, or both. Blood then drains through healthy veins instead.
The catheter is removed and a small dressing applied. There are no stitches and no cut on the scrotum.

The procedure typically takes 45 to 90 minutes. Most men rest for a few hours and go home the same day.

Embolization vs surgery: which is better?

Both work. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology pooled 16 studies with 2,138 patients. It found that embolization had lower rates of adverse events than surgery, while recurrence rates and pregnancy rates were similar for both.

Factor	Embolization	Surgery (varicocelectomy)
Anesthesia	Local, with optional sedation	Usually general or spinal
Incision	Small puncture in groin or neck	Cut in the groin or lower abdomen
Back to desk work	Usually 1 to 2 days	Usually 1 to 2 weeks
Treats both sides in one session	Yes, often	Yes, but more surgical time
Risk of hydrocele (fluid around the testicle)	Very low	Possible, depends on technique
Best suited for	Most varicoceles, recurrences after surgery	Cases where vein anatomy makes embolization difficult

Embolization is not suitable for everyone. In a small number of men the vein cannot be reached or fully closed, and surgery is then the better route. A good specialist will tell you this honestly after looking at your scan. Our varicocele embolization guide for men covers the procedure in more detail.

Varicocele and fertility: what to expect

Sperm take roughly three months to develop. That means any improvement in a semen test after treatment usually shows up at the three-month mark, not in the first few weeks. Most specialists repeat the semen analysis at three and six months.

Treating a clinical varicocele can improve sperm count and movement in many men, but it is one part of the fertility picture. If you and your wife have been trying for a while, it is sensible for both of you to be assessed at the same time. You can read more in our article on varicocele and male infertility.

Recovery after varicocele embolization

Time after procedure	What most men experience
Same day	Rest for a few hours, then home or to your hotel.
Day 1 to 2	Mild ache in the groin or back. Back to desk work and driving.
Week 1	Avoid heavy lifting, gym and long sports sessions.
Week 2 onward	Normal routine, including exercise.
Month 3	Repeat semen analysis if fertility was the reason for treatment.

Men travelling from Saudi Arabia can usually fly back two to three days after the procedure, once the team has checked you.

Cost: Saudi Arabia vs Pakistan

Based on IRCC's own indicative estimates for patients from Saudi Arabia:

Procedure	Estimated cost in Pakistan	Estimated cost in Saudi Arabia
Varicocele embolization	SAR 6,000 to 9,000	SAR 13,000 to 20,000

The final figure depends on whether one or both sides need treating, the tests required and the length of stay. Ask for a written, case-specific estimate after your reports are reviewed, and include flights and accommodation when comparing. Our article on varicocele treatment cost in Pakistan explains what goes into the price.

How men in Saudi Arabia can plan treatment in Pakistan

Direct flights from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam to Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad take around three to five hours. Many of our Saudi-based patients are overseas Pakistanis who time treatment with a family visit or annual leave, but the service is open to all residents of the Kingdom.

Share your scrotal Doppler ultrasound and any semen analysis reports for remote review.
Discuss the findings with the interventional radiologist by phone or video.
Confirm the procedure date, city and estimated cost before booking travel.
Plan to stay three to four days in total.
Arrange your three-month semen test in Saudi Arabia and send the result to the IRCC team.

Full details of the process are on our page for medical treatment in Pakistan for Saudi patients.

Frequently asked questions

Is varicocele embolization painful?

Most men feel only the local anesthetic injection and some pressure. A mild ache for a day or two afterwards is common and settles with simple pain relief.

Can a varicocele come back after embolization?

Yes, recurrence is possible after any treatment, including surgery. Research suggests recurrence rates are broadly similar between embolization and surgery. If it does return, it can often be treated again.