Hydrocele - accumulation of fluid in the scrotum around one or both of the testicles. This disease can be of two types: congenital and acquired. If left untreated, the disease can become chronic.
Anatomy of male testicles
Both organs are located in the scrotum. They form in the abdominal cavity of a growing fetus, then descend shortly before birth. The testicles are oval in shape and about 4 inches long in an adult male. Together with appendages, they weigh between 20 and 30 grams.
The epididymis is necessary for the maturation of spermatozoa. After that, during ejaculation, they enter the vas deferens, the length of which is about 50 cm.
For protection, testicle shells are needed. Their anatomy is as follows, because they are the central organ for fertility and childbearing. In the testicles, the male seed matures, fertilizing the female egg.
Causes of hydrocele
In most cases, dropsy occurs in adult men. Statistics show that it is predominantly diagnosed in patients over 40 years of age.
The main causes of the formation of the disease:
- Dropsy of the testicular membrane and spermatic cord can occur if there were infectious diseases, inflammation, injury, tumors.
- If generalized edema exists.
- As a result of blockage of the spermatic cord.
- Dropsy can occur due to many sports (martial arts, football, cycling), so you need to protect yourself from injury.
- Always use a condom during intercourse to significantly reduce the risk of infection. STDs do not always infect the testicles, but this is not uncommon. Better play it safe.
In newborns, it occurs as a result of poor circulation and the wrong position of the baby in the womb.
In most cases, the cause of hydrocele is unknown. If there is swelling in the scrotum, you should immediately consult a doctor.
How to recognize the symptoms of the disease?
The first sign of dropsy of the testicle is an increase in the scrotum. Most hydrocele is asymptomatic. In children, it is congenital, and usually resolves by the age of one year without treatment. In men, dropsy of the testicles eventually makes itself felt, they experience discomfort, as the scrotum swells and becomes heavy. This can make walking or sitting difficult.
Pain sensations depend on the size of the accumulated fluid in the testicular membranes. As a rule, dropsy in the morning is not as felt as during the day. The size of the edema may increase withpressure on the abdomen. Babies born prematurely have a high risk of developing pathology.
In chronic forms of hydrocele, difficulty urinating and cutting pains in the lower abdomen can occur.
Be patient with this disease as it usually comes on without any symptoms, requires no treatment, and gradually disappears.
Hydrocele does not disappear for a long time
If dropsy of the testicle persists longer than usual, causes severe pain and other symptoms, then consult a doctor for examination. The disease itself does not bring any serious problems, but the doctor must rule out other serious problems that can cause the same symptoms as a hydrocele. They may resemble inguinal hernia, infectious diseases, benign tumors, testicular cancer.
Hydrocele does not affect fertility. But still, if a boy has congenital dropsy that does not go away for up to a year, and in men this condition lasts more than 6 months, you should contact the clinic for further examination.
After the examinations, if nothing is found, and the symptoms do not go away and intensify, you will be recommended surgery, since the drugs are ineffective in this case.
Necessary tests to identify the disease and its causes
To confirm the diagnosis, a doctor must perform a test known as a diaphanoscopy. This examination is carried out with the help of translucence of soft tissues with a beam of light. If the fluid is clear, then it's just dropsy of the testicles. If she's muddypossibly blood or pus.
To better understand what's going on inside the scrotum, doctors use the following tests:
- Ultrasound.
- MRI.
- CT.
Blood and urine tests help rule out diseases such as epididymitis, mumps and various STDs. A surgical examination may also be needed. It is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of hydrocele if the disease is caused by some other pathology.
Surgical fluid removal
Surgery is recommended when symptoms persist and fluid builds up. Surgery involves a small incision in the scrotum or lower abdomen. The liquid is then drained off. This is a simple operation, so no further hospital stay is required.
After surgery, the patient needs complete rest for 48 hours. This also applies to intimate life: sex is contraindicated during the week.
Also, the fluid in the shells of the testicles can be removed with a syringe and a needle. However, if you suck her out this way, she may return within a few months.
Another way of treatment is sclerotherapy. This is the introduction of a special solution into the scrotum so that the fluid does not start to accumulate again.
Possible complications after fluid withdrawal:
- allergic reactions to anesthesia (breathing problems);
- bleeding.
Signs of infection include groin pain, inflammation, redness, bad smell, mild fever.
