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TESTICLULAR FACTS
Testicular Torsion
Testicular Hydrocele
Testicular Cancer
Testicular Self-Examination
What else you should look out for:
Testicular torsion, hydrocele, cancer, and testicular self examination
Testicular Torsion
Torsion is when a testicle gets twisted in your scrotum and its blood and oxygen supply are cut off.
· It’s extremely painful and requires quick medical attention.
· The affected testicle may have to be removed but you still have the other one to make millions of sperm, so your future fertility shouldn’t be affected.
· You can have a false one implanted to make you look as you did before.
Testicular Hydrocele
Hydrocele is when fluid gathers in your scrotum and it swells up due to a tiny fluid leak from your abdomen to the area surrounding your testicles.
· It’s common in babies but also common in adult men.
· It may or may not be painful depending upon the cause.
· It may be due to injury or infection – although it often develops for no known reason.
Depending upon the cause, treatment will consist of either:
· Leaving it alone to see whether it will go away of its own accord – particularly if it isn’t very large or painful.
· Antibiotics if there’s an infection.
· Draining it with a needle – known as aspiration.
· Surgical repair if the leak is recurrent, of particular concern, or if your scrotum becomes very large and uncomfortable.
Testicular Cancer
Most commonly, testicular cancer is seen in men between the ages of 15 and 35.
The cause is unknown. However, it is more common in men who, as a baby, had undescended testicles.
Early signs include pain and discomfort in the testis, with an associated lump.
Treatment includes removal of an effected testicle with, perhaps, an implant inserted.
The success rate of surgery is nearly 100%.
Testicular Self-Examination
All men, and boys after puberty, should perform testicular-self examination regularly.
The first time you check them you’ll notice various lumps and bumps. Consider these to be your base line from which you can notice any changes.
· Rest your testicles in the palm of your hand and note their weight and size.
You’ll probably notice that one testicle is larger than the other and may also hang lower than the other one – which is quite normal.
· Roll each testicle, in turn, between your thumbs and fingers.
· Feel right round each one and up into your groin behind them.
You’ll notice a spermatic cord behind each testicle – a long, thin, round, semi-hard area.
· Look at your testicles in the mirror and notice any visual changes.
What else you should look out for:
· Look out for a dull ache in your groin or abdomen.
· Heaviness in your scrotum.
· Occasionally, there may be pain in your testicle itself.
