Symptoms and complications of hydrocele

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Vo Thien Ngon - Urologist, Department of General Surgery, Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.

In men, effusion in the membranes of the testicles mainly affects men over the age of 40. In rare cases, this problem is related to underlying disease of the testicles. This is a dangerous phenomenon that greatly affects the reproductive health and life of men.

Hydrocele in the membrane of the testicle is a phenomenon where the amount of stagnant fluid is concentrated on only one side of the sac in the scrotum, next to the testicle. Usually only one testicle, but sometimes both testicles, causing testicles to swell or become abnormally large.
When I see my groin area is in severe pain, sometimes it is painful in waves. One or both testicles are swollen, enlarged, and prolapsed. The top part of the scrotum is tight and the testicles are pushed down. Men need to contact a specialist right away. Because this is a sign that you have effusion in the testicles.
This is a dangerous phenomenon that greatly affects the reproductive health and life of men.

Most of the effusion in the membranes of the testicles usually occurs in the adult male age, most commonly seen in men over 40 years old.
In most cases, the cause is unknown. A small percentage of patients with hydroceles in the testicles have an inflammatory problem... For example, infection, trauma, or a tumor in the testicles, they all have it. can easily lead to the formation of fluid in the membranes of the testicles. Sometimes the hydrocele in the testicles is caused by swelling of the lower half of a man's body.

Some male infants experience hydrocele in the testicles. The reason is that when the fetus grows in the womb, the testicles need to move on the baby's abdomen down to the scrotum through the peritoneal canal.
However, in some cases after moving down, the pipe is not closed, causing the abdominal fluid to overflow, causing water retention in the testicles. There are cases of testicular effusion accompanied by inguinal hernia.
Hydroceles can occur in boys from the period of gestation in utero. For many men entering middle age, it can be caused by inflammation of the epididymis in the testicle, also by an infection of the testicle, or by swelling of the scrotum.

There are not many complicated initial symptoms of effusion in the membranes of the testicles. At that time, the scrotum as well as the testicles will enlarge like a swelling without feeling pain. When there is effusion in the membrane of the testicle due to the origin of the infection of the testicle, or the epididymis, the patient feels intense pain, and both the testicle and the epididymis will swell.
Intramembranous effusion of the testicle is quite similar to the fluid-filled ball in the scrotum, with a smooth feel, which is mainly seen in front of the testicle. An effusion in the membrane of the testicle causes a large change in size. Effusion in the membranes of the testicles is common in middle-aged men, it will be swollen and much larger than usual. The effusion in the membrane of the testicle is not painful, but the large size will often cause discomfort, normal activities such as walking ... or sexual activities feel uncomfortable. Most cases of hydrocephalus in the testicles are present at birth. Between 1-2% of newborns have hydroceles in the membranes of the testicles. In men, effusion in the membranes of the testicles mainly affects men over the age of 40.

If effusion in the testicles is detected and treated promptly, it can cause no complications. But on the contrary, if it is slow to detect, when the disease has shown signs of serious changes, the danger will not stop at the impact on sexual function, but also cause complications affecting other body parts. .
Affects fertility A hydrocele causes the testicles to become soaked and stagnate in water. Therefore, parts of the male reproductive organs such as: testicles; epididymis; Vasectomy... . Both have problems with sperm production. Decreases sperm count and quality. Male fertility is affected. Men may face the risk of infertility or infertility.
Difficulty in sexual intercourse When infected, the amount of semen is overflowing, causing the scrotum skin of the penis to be stretched. Causes discomfort and pain during sex. Causes men to lose interest in sex.
Put pressure on the testicles The hydrocele overflows too much. Causes testicles to prolapse. Put pressure on the testicles during blood circulation. This affects sperm production.
Factors that increase the risk of hydrocele, such as: Scrotal trauma, infections, including sexually transmitted diseases, are more likely to occur when a man enters his 40s and are more likely to happen. for premature babies.

Experts and doctors who specialize in this issue, said that the phenomenon of effusion in the membrane of the testicles in men when normally is difficult to detect due to the initial symptoms, so we need to perform a check. check and conduct tests as required.
Currently, the sacral anesthesia technique is one of the techniques used before surgery to treat hydrocele at Vinmec Da Nang hospital.
This is a regional anesthetic technique that is performed by introducing local anesthetic into the epidural space through the sacral cleft and sacral canal. Helps relieve pain during and after surgery for almost all surgical interventions on the lower abdomen and lower extremities such as: Surgery of undescended testicle, inguinal hernia, hydrocele. Therefore, sacral anesthesia is also known as transsacral epidural.