Hydrocele indicates the presence of accumulated fluid around one or both testicles; it is usually not painful, but it can cause swelling and discomfort. This is a common problem in newborns and usually goes away on its own. In adults it can be the result of an injury or other inflammation of the scrotum, but it is usually not dangerous. There are some symptoms you can pay attention to to understand if you suffer from this condition.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Recognize the Symptoms
Step 1. Check for swelling
Stand in front of a mirror and observe the scrotum. If you have hydrocele, at least one side is larger than usual.
If you are trying to figure out if a newborn has this disorder, the procedure is similar: check if the testicles appear swollen. The bulge can be on one or both sides of the testicles
Step 2. Feel it by touch
Often, it is possible to feel the hydrocele as a fluid-filled sac inside the scrotum.
- Generally, it is not painful; but if you feel pain in the touch contact your doctor, as it could be an indication of some more serious problem.
- If a newborn has a swollen testicle, you can tell it is hydrocele by gently feeling the scrotum. Inside you should feel the testicle, but with this disorder you may feel a second swelling, like a soft sac filled with fluid, which in newborns is as small as a peanut.
Step 3. Pay attention if you have difficulty walking
The swollen the scrotum, the more likely you are to walk with discomfort. Men with the disorder claim to feel a dragging sensation, as if there is something heavy tied to their testicles. This disorder is caused by the force of gravity that pulls the scrotum down, but also by the presence of fluid, which is an unusual condition and therefore makes the entire genital system heavier than normal.
You may also experience this feeling when standing up after sitting or lying down for a while
Step 4. See if the swelling increases over time
If you don't start treatment, the scrotum continues to dilate; in this case, it can become difficult to wear regular trousers and you may want to opt for looser and more comfortable models, so as not to apply pressure on the swollen scrotum.
If you are concerned that you have hydrocele, it is best to consult a doctor to determine the cause of the problem; Sometimes, it can be a consequence of a hernia, in which case medical treatment is needed
Step 5. Pay attention to pain when urinating
Typically, you shouldn't feel pain while urinating, even if you have hydrocele. However, if the condition is caused by an infection in the epididymis and testicles (known as epididymal orchitis), it is quite normal to feel some pain when going to the bathroom. If this is your case, you should talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
Method 2 of 3: Knowing Hydrocele in Adults
Step 1. Learn about the causes of this condition in adults
Men can suffer from hydrocele for many reasons, of which the three most common are: inflammation, infection (for example, a sexually transmitted infection) and injury to one or both testicles. It can also be the result of an injury or infection in the epididymis (a spiral-like tube that sits behind the testicles and is responsible for the maturation, storage and transport of seminal fluid).
Sometimes, hydrocele can also form when the vaginal tunic (the membrane that covers the testicles) collects too much fluid without being able to get rid of it
Step 2. Be aware that a hernia can also cause this disorder
However, this form of hydrocele manifests itself as a swelling higher up in the scrotum; more precisely, the swelling usually occurs about 2-4 cm from the base of the scrotum.
A hernia is typically the protrusion of an organ from the tissues that contain it. In the case of a hydrocele, it is not unusual for part of the intestine to protrude from the abdominal walls towards the scrotum; in this situation we speak of inguinal hernia
Step 3. Know that lymphatic filariasis can cause a type of hydrocele
This is a tropical disease caused by filariae parasites entering the lymphatic vessels; these are the same worms that cause elephantiasis. Rather than a buildup of abdominal fluid, these parasites cause a lump - known as a chylocele - which is not actually filled with fluid, but with cholesterol.
If you live in Europe and have never been to Asia, Africa, the Pacific Ocean Islands, the Caribbean or South America, you don't have to worry about this disease; However, if you have traveled to these countries or spent time in these geographic areas before experiencing a hydrocele, you should see your doctor as soon as possible
Step 4. See your doctor
If you have this condition, it is usually advisable for you to visit, as it can be a sign of some more serious illness.
Before you go to your appointment, take note of any recent trauma you have suffered in the genital area, if they have occurred, as well as any other symptoms you may have experienced (for example pain or difficulty walking), the medications you are taking and when you noticed the hydrocele
Method 3 of 3: Understanding Hydrocele in Infants
Step 1. Learn about normal testicular development in infants
To understand what is happening in the baby, it is important to know the normal development process, in order to check what went wrong. The testes develop in the abdomen of the fetus, very close to the kidneys, and then descend into the scrotum through a tunnel known as the inguinal canal. At this stage, the testes are preceded by a sac formed by the abdominal lining (called the vaginal process).
The vaginal process usually closes over the testicles, preventing fluid from entering; however, if it does not close properly, a hydrocele is formed
Step 2. Be aware that babies can have a communicating hydrocele
In this case, the sac around the testicles (the vaginal process) remains open, rather than closing as it should. when it remains open, the fluid enters the scrotum causing the hydrocele.
If the pouch remains open, fluid passes from the abdomen to the scrotum and back, which means the size of the hydrocele can vary, becoming larger or smaller throughout the day
Step 3. Be aware that the baby may also have a noncommunicating hydrocele
This is formed when the testicles descend regularly, as they should with the vaginal process closing around them; however, the fluid that enters the sac along with the testicles is not absorbed, becoming trapped in the scrotum and thus forming the hydrocele.
This type of scrotal swelling disappears within the first year of the baby's life; however, if it persists beyond this age, the child must be examined by the pediatrician. If your child was born with a noncommunicating hydrocele that does not go away after one year of life, ask the doctor to see him again
Step 4. Talk to your pediatrician
While this is generally nothing to worry about, if the baby has a hydrocele that has not yet been brought to medical attention, you should inform the doctor, especially if the baby is already over one year of age; in fact it could be a more serious problem.
Make a note of when you first saw the hydrocele, whether or not the baby is experiencing pain and any other related ailments
Advice
- The doctor can perform a small test to determine if it is actually hydrocele by shining a light behind the scrotum; if there is a hydrocele, the scrotum brightens due to the liquid present.
- Be aware that if you have had surgery for a hernia, you are less likely to suffer from hydrocele, although some cases have been reported in the past.
- Usually, hydrocele does not heal on its own in adults or children over one year of age. This is why it is important to see a doctor.
Warnings
- Although this is usually painless, it is best to bring it to your doctor's attention to rule out any other dangerous causes.
- A hydrocele that has been neglected for a long time can calcify, which means that it takes on a consistency similar to that of stone.
- Sexually transmitted infections can also cause a hydrocele. If you have this condition and have had unprotected sex, get tested to rule out this possible cause.
