Swollen testicle: the different causes and the best solutions: Femme Today Le MAG

How do you know if you have a testicle problem?

First thing to know: in men, the two testes are usually (roughly) symmetrical.

Located under the penis, the testes have the main role of spermatogenesis, that is to say the production of spermatozoa: " Unlike the ovaries in women, they are located outside the body because the production of sperm requires a temperature of about 2 ° C lower than that of the body, or 35 ° C instead of 37 ° VS "explains Dr. Jean-Georges Guerin-Wallner, urological surgeon.

The testicles are wrapped in two "bags": the outer envelope (the purse) and the inner envelope (the vaginal sac).

I have a swollen testicle, should I go for a consultation? " There is no small anomaly in the testicle, says the urological surgeon. The slightest lump, small or large, the slightest hard area to the touch, the slightest asymmetry … must be the subject of an appointment with the attending physician who may possibly redirect the patient to a urologist. The testicular cancer is well treated when taken care of early: it is the first cancer in men between 15 and 40 years. "It should be noted that, in the majority of cases, the swollen testicle problem is unilateral (on one side, therefore).

To know. " In 2 out of 10 cases, the diagnosis of testicular cancer is allowed thanks to a doctor's appointment made by a woman close to the patient "says the specialist. For men's health, women also have a role to play!

Swollen testicle: hydrocele, a benign pathology

It has been said: each testicle is wrapped in two "bags" – the purse and the vaginal sac. The vaginal sac produces a fluid (similar to water) in which the testicle bathes.

Problem: Due to trauma (e.g. a shock, blow, or fall to the crotch) or idiopathically (read: no identifiable cause), this fluid can accumulate in the vaginal sac – we are talking abouthydrocele.

Symptoms. In the case of hydrocele, the testicle appears swollen: it is however neither red, nor hot to the touch, nor painful (palpation is painless). Hydrocele is very common.

Treatment. After the clinical examination, the testicular ultrasound is the gold standard for diagnosing a hydrocele. " If the hydrocele is bothersome on a daily basis, the treatment is surgical: under general anesthesia, we cut the raphe (similar to a "seam") between the two bursaries to empty the excess liquid and remove the part of the vaginal sac that produces too much. liquid "explains Dr. Guerin-Wallner.

Performed on an outpatient basis (we do not sleep in the hospital), this surgical intervention lasts about 30 minutes: " in case of office work, sick leave is not necessary ".

Swollen testicle: this may be a cyst of the epididymis

After their manufacture in the heart of the testes, the spermatozoa join a first duct (the epididymis) and then a second (the vas deferens). We speak of an epididymal cyst when a "ball of fluid" forms on the wall of the epididymal duct, in contact with the testis.

Symptoms. The cyst of the epididymis is palpable on clinical examination: concretely, we feel a "lump" next to the testicle which is soft to the touch and which does not hurt. Palpation is painless.

Treatment. When it is small, the epididymal cyst does not necessarily require treatment: monitoring can be set up. On the other hand, when it is annoying on a daily basis (when driving or when crossing your legs, for example), the cyst can be removed by surgery: the operation is performed on an outpatient basis (you do not sleep at home. hospital) and under general anesthesia.

Swollen testicle: orchitis or orchiepididymitis

Orchitis (also called "orchiepididymitis" in medical language) refers to an infection of the testis: " it is usually a urinary tract infection that spreads retrograde, up the vas deferens and the epididymis in men "notes Dr. Guerin-Wallner. Most often, bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are responsible.

Symptoms. Orchitis or orchiepididymitis is characterized by inflammatory symptoms: the affected testicle is red, swollen (there is an increase in volume), hot to the touch and painful. More rarely, fever or discharge may be observed (especially in the case of a sexually transmitted infection).

Treatment. The diagnosis of orchitis is made following a physical examination and urinalysis. Antibiotic treatment (antibiotic therapy) is then put in place: it is associated with rest.

Swollen testicle: what if it was testicular cancer?

Around 2000 new testicular cancers are diagnosed each year in France: this disease is said to have a "good prognosis" when it is treated early. The 10-year survival rate is over 90%.

Symptoms. Testicular cancer can manifest itself through an increase in the size of the testis, but also (and especially) by the appearance of a "hard zone" in the bursa on palpation. This is painless.

Treatment. The diagnosis of testicular cancer is made by the urologist after a clinical examination and testicular ultrasound. An assay for biological markers of testicular cancer may also be prescribed: this is a blood test. The main treatment for testicular cancer is removal: " a testicular prosthesis may be offered ".

Doctor's advice: " I recommend that men perform a self-palpation of their testicles once a month, in the shower or after the shower, advises the urological surgeon. Do not hesitate to consult in case of anomaly: in the majority of cases, the problem is benign. "

Thanks to Dr. Jean-Georges Guerin-Wallner, urological surgeon at the Polyclinique du Parc in Caen (ELSAN group).

Read also :

⋙ Pathologies of the testes

⋙ 5 things to know about the prostate

⋙ What is the lifespan of a sperm?