Hydrocele: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options Explained

Hydrocele is a popular health problem that leads to swelling of the scrotum as a result of fluid accumulation in the scrotum surrounding either testicle or both. Although most often painless and harmless, it may be uncomfortable, cosmetically problematic, or even anxiety-inducing-particularly in adults. Hydrocele may be experienced in infants and in old men and grasping the causes, symptoms, and treatment measures makes the management early and full of serenity.

What Is Hydrocele?

A fluid or sac develops around the testicle referred to as a hydrocele and it causes the scrotal swelling. This is a fluid that collects in the thin sack around the testicle thus making the scrotum look swollen. Swelling in most of the cases comes out slowly and is not accompanied with intense hydrocele pain. Hydrocele is also a normal occurrence of a new born baby and in most cases it goes away automatically. Nevertheless, in adults, the hydrocele can result because of trauma, infection, inflammation, or underlying diseases and can be a subject of medical intervention.

Types Of Hydrocele

The mechanism and age allow classifying hydrocele:

Communicating Hydrocele

• Arises when the abdomen scrotum channel is open.
• The fluid goes back and forth and leads to swelling of the scrotum which can vary in size.
• More common in infants

Non-Communicating Hydrocele

• The channel is closed, yet there is fluid inside that is left.
• The size of swelling tends to remain the same.

Common in adults

• Congenital Hydrocele
• Present at birth
• In most cases heals on its own during the first year of life.

Acquired Hydrocele

• Occurs later in life as a result of injury, infection or inflammation.

Causes Of Hydrocele

Depending on the age group, the cause of hydrocele is as follows:

Causes of hydrocele in infants.

• Immature closure of the abdominal-scrotal passage in development.
• Liquid retained around the testicle at birth.

Causes of hydrocele in adults.

• Damage or trauma to the scrotum.
• Diseases like epididymitis or STDs.
• Testicular/ epididymal inflammation.
• Post-operative complications.
• Testicular tumors (infrequent but should be excluded)

Symptoms Of Hydrocele

The symptoms of hydrocele are not severe and can be of various types. Common symptoms include:

• Painless swellings on one or both sides of the scrotum.
• A sense of weight or uneasiness.
• Increased scrotal size which can increase during the day.
• In some cases, mild pain when there is a lot of swelling, which causes mild hydrocele.
• Pain on walking or sitting or during physical activity.

Extreme pain, reddening, or heat can be a sign of infection or other diseases, and they should be examined as soon as possible.

Read More: 6 Exercises to Increase Penis Blood Flow

Is Hydrocele Dangerous?

Hydrocele is not harmful in most instances and does not impinge on fertility and sexual performance. Nonetheless, untreated cases of hydrocele can result in:

• Pain because of scrotal enlargement.
• Infection in rare cases
• Stress to the neighboring structures.
• Problem of identifying underlying conditions that may be in the testes.

Whereas, the hydrocele complications are rare, serious causes like testicular cancer should be eliminated, particularly in adults who had an abrupt swelling.

How Is Hydrocele Diagnosed?

The hydrocele diagnosis requires physical examination and imaging. Diagnostic methods include:

• Physical examination: The doctor examines swelling and tenderness in the scrotum.
• Transillumination: A scrotum is illuminated; clear fluid is an indication of hydrocele.
• Hydrocele ultrasound: Rules out hernia, tumor or infection, confirms the presence of fluid.
• Blood or urine samples (in case of suspicions of infection)

Out of these, the most reliable technique of diagnosing this is hydrocele ultrasound.

Treatment Options For Hydrocele

The age, symptoms, and severity of the case determine the treatment.

Observation

• Ordinary in infants and mild cases.
• Quite a number of cases can be solved in months.

Medications

• Antibiotics, or anti-inflammatory medication in case of an infection.
• The fluid is not removed by medications but it is treated by the drugs.

Surgical Therapy (Hydrocelectomy)

• Indicated in the case of large, persistent and painful hydroceles.
• The fluid filled sac is removed surgically.
• Generally a safe and effective surgery.

Aspiration and Sclerotherapy

• A needle is used to drain the fluid.
• The rerecurrence can be prevented by the administration of a chemical agent.
• Less frequent because of increased risk of recurrence.

The postoperative prognosis of hydrocele recovery time is 2-4 weeks, and the period of time may differ according to the patient and the type of surgery.

When To See A Doctor?

You need to visit a doctor when you have:

• Constant or progressive scrotal swellings.
• Pain or discomfort
• Redness, warmth, or fever
• Sudden onset of swelling
• Fertility or testicular well-being.

Early diagnosis is a way to make sure that it is properly diagnosed and complications are avoided.

Prevention Tips And Lifestyle Advice

Although all of the hydroceles can be prevented, some steps can lessen the risk:

• Guard the groin during sports or physical exercise.
• Always use safe sex to avoid infections.
• Early scrotal infection or injury treatment is sought.
• Continued self-examination of the testicles.
• Adhere to post-surgical instructions.

Conclusion

Hydrocele is the frequent and generally non-traumatic disorder which predisposes the accumulation of fluid around the testicles. Hydrocele in infants usually goes away but on the other hand, hydrocele in adults can be examined by a physician to determine the underlying causes. Most people are able to recover completely with proper treatment, and none of the effects are long-term after proper diagnosis. Preventing the future is achievable by receiving medical care at a young age, which guarantees comfort, confidence, and good health of the testicles.

 Please book an appointment with the best Urologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.