Massage therapy could boost sperm quality in men with varicocele

NCT ID NCT07665905

Not yet recruiting Disease control Sponsor: Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a type of abdominal massage called visceral osteopathic manual therapy can improve sperm quality and blood flow in men with varicocele, a condition where veins in the scrotum become enlarged and can cause infertility. Thirty-two men aged 18-45 will either receive the massage twice a week for eight weeks or just get lifestyle advice. Researchers will compare semen samples and ultrasound measures before and after treatment to see if the massage helps.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: visceral osteopathic manual therapy (massage techniques)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a non-surgical, low-cost option to improve fertility in men with varicocele.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with only 32 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The treatment is manual therapy, which depends on the therapist's skill and may not produce consistent outcomes.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

infertility disorder varicocele

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

INFERTILITY VARICOCELE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Etlik Lokman Hekim Hospital, Clinic of Urology

Ankara, Keçiören, 06300, Turkey (Türkiye)

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