Moronacity Health Journal » Men's Health
Hydrocele Causes Scrotal Swelling – Diagnosing and Repairing a Hydrocele
By Diane Ursu
Scrotal swelling can be caused by the accumulation of fluid around the testicles. Men over the age of 40 are at a greater risk for hydrocele, which may be caused by trauma to the scrotum or infection. Ten percent of male babies are born with hydroceles that normally clear up within the first year.Hydrocele Causes and Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic article, “Hydrocele,” the testicles descend from the abdomen into the scrotal sac while a boy is still in the womb. Each testicle is surrounded by another sac called the processus vaginalis, which contains fluid. This fluid can be seen surrounding the descended testicles on ultrasound. Usually, these sacs close and the fluid around the testicles resolve within the first year. If not, then the hydrocele persists. Later in life, a hydrocele may result from inflammation caused by other conditions or injury to the scrotum. Injury can result from heavy lifting, coughing, sneezing, or other physical activities that can place pressure on the scrotum; in this case, the hydrocele may be the result of a hernia caused by one of these activities or obesity.
Hydroceles generally do not cause pain. Typically, one or both sides of the scrotum may swell.
Diagnosing Hydrocele
A physician will most likely diagnose a hydrocele with a physical examination. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Pressure to the abdomen or scrotum may enlarge or shrink the fluid-filled sac, which may indicate an associated inguinal hernia. Because the fluid in a hydrocele usually is clear, your doctor may shine a light through the scrotum [which], with a hydrocele, will outline the testicle.
A diagnosis of a hydrocele is usually confirmed with a scrotal ultrasound. Ultrasound is safe and is the best imaging modality for examining the scrotum. The whole scrotum is examined so that the right and left testicles may be compared and to rule out any unknown causes.
Hydrocele and Testicular Cancer
Hydroceles are not cancerous and will not develop into testicular cancer. Very rarely does testicular cancer cause a hydrocele. Ultrasound examination is often done to see if there are tumors or calcifications within the testicles that could be signs of cancer.
Hydrocele Treatment
Hydrocele fluid may be removed with a needle aspiration, but there is a higher incidence of the hydrocele returning after using this method. Surgical excision is a better procedure for removing hydroceles, although the recovery time may take a little longer and a scrotal support may need to be worn after the surgery. Generally, hydroceles are not treated unless they are large enough to cause discomfort. They often clear up on their own.
A hydrocele is not a serious medical condition. It is often incidentally found during scrotal ultrasounds for conditions such as lumps, pain, and varicoceles. It usually does not need treatment, but follow-up ultrasounds may be done to monitor the progress of a hydrocele.
14 Responses to "Hydrocele Causes Scrotal Swelling – Diagnosing and Repairing a Hydrocele"
Would having a Hydrocele cause lower than normal testerone levels
Hydrocele might be caused by the same condition that causes abnormal testosterone levels, but it should not cause abnormal hormone levels.
how good is this scan result…mild left sided hydrocele,no right sided hydrocele and also the left pampinform plexus is dilated measured 2.8mm[suggestive of varicocele with grade 1 reflux.]i want to know if this result is good or shows a low sperm production?
I don’t think this result really has anything to do with sperm production, especially since it is only grade I, meaning small. It *may* be a cause, but I would be disappointed if a doctor actually said that it was the cause, and stopped there. Generally, ultrasound is the first step in investigating male infertility, so I would expect further investigation.
This comment should not replace professional medical advice.
i am 22 yr old i have a swelling in my hydrocele and a littile pain some time i want a nice suggestion from ur side.
I would suggest seeking advice from a physician. The hydrocele could be nothing, but it could be related to a varicocele, which is not life-threatening, but could cause pain. It could also be related to cancer. I don’t want to scare you, but being that you are 22, you are at a higher risk for cancer. Read “Testicular Cancer” for more information, especially regarding when to visit the doctor.
can lifting heave items cause hydrocele? I’m 58 years old and have scrotal swelling for some time now. It is uncomfortable to even walk or cross my legs.
Norm, it is possible. It is also possible that you may have a hernia protruding into the scrotum. It is definitely worth getting checked out, because the treatment is pretty easy where surgical treatments are concerned, and you will be MUCH more comfortable, afterward. One of the first things your doctor may do is order an ultrasound of the scrotum to verify that it is a hydrocele and to see what may be causing it.
I just got my scrotum drained, it was now full and slightly painful. The doctor sent the fluid for analysis before referering me to a urologist for the surgical proceedure. How safe are this proceedure and are there any known cases where complication arose as a result of the proceedure? Secondly, if I have epydemitis will it be required from me to go for an surgical proceedure?
Please help, I rarely go to doctors because I get so terrified there.
i got a ultrasound apt today to see if theres more then just a hydrocele and i must admit im a little nervous, but ive been doing just fine so ill be alright
I had a hydrocele surgery When I was a few months old, the surgey took 2 to 3 hours. They had to ask my mother if they could make another cut to prevent it from happening again is it normal to do this to prevent from recurring and also one of the cuts that they closed was not professional unlike the other one on the other side. My ? Is did something go wrong during the surgery that now causes my low testosterone, cause that would suck. (oh by the way testosterone is 169 and my free testosterone is 34 and I’m now 23)
I am going to specialist. now my GP said it was hydrocele on the left some on the
right . but i am have pain on the right side and gets bad what can
that be???? and would this specialist know????
i had an inguial hernia operation 4 years ago and my scrotum is swollen the size of an grapefruit is this the result of a hydrocele
HI, my 13yo son has a swollen resticle – its about twice the sise of normal – from a soccer ball trauma and it has remained about the same nor for 6 – 8 weeks. He is not complaining of discomfort or embarassment but it does not seem to be reducing in size. There is no discolouration and apart from its size the scrotum looks quite normal.
Question – should we get this treated?
Rick