Will a Varicocele Go Away?

What Is a Varicocele?

This condition is an enlargement of the veins in the scrotum. Specifically, it affects the pampiniform plexus, which drains blood from each testicle. It affects roughly 15% of adult men. That makes it one of the more common vascular conditions you may never have heard of until a doctor pointed it out.

How Varicoceles Develop

Healthy vein valves open to let blood flow upward. They close to stop blood from flowing backward. When those valves weaken, gravity pulls blood back down, and it pools in the vein instead of continuing on its way. Over time, the affected vein stretches and twists. This most often starts during puberty, when the testicles need more blood flow. About 85% to 90% of cases develop on the left side, because of how the left testicular vein connects higher up in the body.

Varicocele vs. Varicose Veins in the Legs

The mechanism is the same as what happens in the legs with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). In both cases, faulty vein valves allow blood to flow backward. This is called venous reflux, and the vein stretches in response. The only real difference is location. A varicocele is, in a real sense, a varicose vein that forms in the scrotum instead of the leg.

Most men discover this during a routine exam, not through symptoms. It often feels like a soft, twisted mass above the testicle, sometimes described as feeling like a small bag of worms. It may feel more noticeable when standing and less noticeable when lying down. This happens because gravity affects how much blood pools in the vein, the same way it does with varicose veins in the legs.

Does a Varicocele Go Away Without Treatment?

No. Once a varicocele forms in an adult, it does not resolve on its own. The valve damage behind it is structural, and rest, time, or lifestyle changes cannot repair it. This matches what every major clinical source on the condition reports.

Why “It Went Away” Is Often a Misunderstanding

You may have seen someone online claim their varicocele disappeared without treatment. In most of these cases, something else is actually happening. The original finding may have been a hydrocele or minor swelling, not a true varicocele. A small varicocele may only show up on ultrasound, so if visible swelling goes down, it can feel like the condition vanished even though the vein changes are still there. Weight changes can also alter how a varicocele looks or feels without fixing the valve problem underneath. An accurate diagnosis from a specialist is the only reliable way to know what you are dealing with.

It helps to separate two questions. The first is whether a varicocele can stop feeling noticeable. The second is whether it has actually resolved at the vein level. Swelling, temperature, and activity can all change how prominent a varicocele feels day to day, but none of that changes the underlying valve damage. This is similar to how varicose veins in the legs can look less obvious after you elevate your legs or wear compression, even though the faulty valve causing them is still there. Feeling better is not the same as being resolved, which is why an ultrasound matters more than how a varicocele looks on any given day.

Is a Varicocele a Sign of Vein Disease?

Yes, a varicocele can be considered a form of vein disease. Research has found a real link between varicoceles and varicose veins. One population-based study found that men with varicose veins were much more likely to also have a diagnosed varicocele, a link that was especially strong in men under 50.¹

The Venous Reflux Connection

Both conditions share the same root cause: vein valves that stop keeping blood moving in one direction. If you have a varicocele, it may be worth asking whether you have venous reflux elsewhere in your body too, since vein wall weakness and valve problems are not always limited to one location. This works in reverse as well. If you already know you have varicose veins and vein disease in your legs, it is reasonable to ask your doctor about screening for a varicocele too.

What Happens If a Varicocele Is Left Untreated?

Many men with a varicocele have no symptoms at all and may never need treatment. For others, an untreated varicocele can cause a dull ache or heaviness in the scrotum that tends to worsen with standing or activity and ease when lying down. Varicoceles are also linked to male infertility and show up in a meaningful share of men evaluated for fertility concerns, which you can read more about in our related article on how scrotal varicose veins can affect fertility. Left unaddressed, pooled blood and pressure in the area may also be associated with gradual testicular changes over time.

Potential Effects on Comfort and Fertility

Not every varicocele needs immediate action. If you are not experiencing pain, swelling, or fertility concerns, your doctor may simply recommend monitoring with periodic exams. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or if you are trying to conceive, an evaluation can help clarify whether the varicocele is a factor and what your options look like.

The connection to fertility comes down to temperature and blood flow. The testicles work best a few degrees cooler than the rest of the body, and pooled blood in an enlarged vein can raise the local temperature enough to affect sperm production over time. This does not mean every man with a varicocele will have fertility issues. Many do not. It simply means that men who are trying to conceive, or who notice changes in testicular size, should consider bringing up the varicocele during a fertility evaluation.

Treatment Options for Varicocele

A varicocele will not go away on its own. Treatment is the only way to correct the underlying vein problem when symptoms or fertility concerns call for it. The next best step to make an appointment with a qualified physician to discuss your treatment options.

What to Expect During Evaluation

Diagnosis usually starts with a physical exam. A scrotal ultrasound follows to confirm the varicocele and assess how much venous reflux is present. This imaging helps a specialist decide whether treatment makes sense and which approach may fit your situation best.