Signs and symptoms of testicular torsion include:
Sudden, severe pain in the scrotum
— the loose bag of skin under your penis that contains the testicles. Swelling of the scrotum. Abdominal pain.
Is testicular torsion obvious?
Testicular torsion can happen to guys of any age, but it’s most common in teens. Most of the
time there’s no obvious cause
. Testicular torsion can happen after an injury, during exercise, or even during sleep.
How do you know if your testicle is twisted?
Signs and symptoms of testicular torsion include:
Sudden, severe pain in the scrotum
— the loose bag of skin under your penis that contains the testicles. Swelling of the scrotum. Abdominal pain.
How do I check myself for testicular torsion?
With your free hand,
glide your thumb and fingers along both sides of the testicle
, from top to bottom. Feel for any lumps or bumps. Then, glide your fingers over the front and back of the testicle. On the back at the top, you should feel the epididymis, a tube that carries sperm.
What can be mistaken for testicular torsion?
Conditions that may mimic testicular torsion, such as torsion of a testicular appendage,
epididymitis, trauma, hernia, hydrocele, varicocele and Schönlein-Henoch purpura
, generally do not require immediate surgical intervention.
Can testicular torsion fix itself?
Saving the testicle becomes more difficult the longer the spermatic cord stays twisted. Sometimes, the spermatic cord can become twisted and then
untwist itself without treatment
.
Does testicular torsion hurt to touch?
The good news is, because the testicles are loosely attached to the body in the scrotum and are essentially made of a spongy material, they are able to absorb most collisions without permanent damage.
You will definitely feel pain if your testicles are struck or kicked
. You might also feel nauseated for a short time.
How do you fix testicular torsion?
Surgical repair, or orchiopexy
, is usually required to treat testicular torsion. In rare cases, your doctor may be able to untwist the spermatic cord by hand. This procedure is called “manual detorsion.” Surgery is performed as quickly as possible to restore blood flow to the testicles.
What does a dead testicle feel like?
When the testes die, the scrotum will be
very tender, red, and swollen
. Often the patient won’t be able to get comfortable. Any pain or discomfort in the testes is a sign to get medical help right away. Call your doctor even with no swelling or change in skin color.
Can testicular torsion happen randomly?
The testicle is only attached to the spermatic cord, and not to the scrotum. This is called a “bell clapper scrotum,” because the testicle “swings” like a bell clapper.
Testicular torsion can happen at any time
, while standing, sleeping, exercising, or sitting, and with no apparent trigger in those who are susceptible.
Can sperm build up cause pain?
The seminal vesicle is a gland where sperm mixes with other fluids to make semen. Problems with this gland, particularly hard growths called
calculi
, can make ejaculation painful.
Which testicle is more important?
The
left testicle
is bigger than the right one; therefore, the left vein is longer than the right. Because the left vein is longer, it is subject to more difficulties when draining. Poor drainage can lead to pathological conditions such as testicular swelling and pain.
When should you go to the doctor for testicle pain?
If a person experiences swelling or pain in one or both testicles
, it is best to see a doctor. If the pain is causing nausea and vomiting, they should seek immediate medical attention.
How can you tell the difference between testicular torsion and orchitis?
Another way to differentiate between epididymitis and torsion on physical examination is
checking for the cremaster reflex
which is absent in the case of torsion. Positive Prehn’s sign indicates there is pain relief with lifting the affected testicle, which points towards epididymitis.
What is intermittent testicular torsion?
Intermittent testicular torsion is
a separate entity that should be considered in all young males with a history of scrotal pain and swelling
. Acute and intermittent sharp testicular pain and scrotal swelling, interspersed with long intervals without symptoms, are characteristic.
Can you have a baby after testicular torsion?
Unfortunately, testicular torsion, most often than not, can lead to
reduced fertility or infertility
too. In close to 1/3 of cases, there is a reduction in sperm count below normal after suffering torsion, disabling a man to father a child.
