TL;DR:
- Testicular hernia, a type of inguinal hernia, occurs when abdominal contents move into the scrotum through the inguinal canal, causing a lump.
- Types: Congenital (infants, esp. premature) and acquired (adults, caused by weakened abdominal wall).
- Symptoms: Lump in scrotum, pain radiating from testicle, burning, pulling sensation in groin, worsens with coughing, standing, or lifting.
- Causes: Weakened tissue from heavy lifting, chronic coughing, constipation, aging, smoking, and related syndromes (Marfan, Ehlers-Danlos).
- Diagnosis: Physical exam; ultrasound or X-ray if needed.
- Treatment: Surgery (open or laparoscopic), no self-resolution.
- Recovery: No heavy lifting (1+ month), walking recommended, full recovery may take months.
- Risks: Untreated hernia can cause bowel obstruction, necrosis, sepsis.
- Prevention: Strengthen abdominal muscles, balanced diet, limit heavy lifting.
Hernia is a fairly frequently diagnosed condition. One of its types is testicular hernia, also called scrotal hernia. It occurs in men of different ages and can be caused by different factors. It is good to know its characteristic symptoms, as medical attention is necessary for full recovery.
What is a herniated testicle
Testicular hernia is a variant of inguinal hernia. It occurs when the contents of the hernia sac move into the scrotum just through the inguinal canal. The result is the formation of a bulge that can be felt under the fingers, which may resemble a lump. It is worth knowing that testicular hernia can occur in a child, as well as in infants. inguinal hernia: symptoms, causes and effective treatments. There are two types of testicular hernia. These are ** congenital and acquired hernias.** Congenital is referred to in the case of infants. It results from the failure of the vaginal process of the peritoneum to grow during fetal life. If it has not fused by the 24th week of pregnancy, a hernia develops. This affliction particularly affects premature babies, who do not yet have such strong muscles. Acquired testicular hernia, on the other hand, affects adult males and can occur at any age.
Symptoms of testicular hernia.
Testicular hernia and the symptoms that are usually noticed first is a palpable lump in the scrotum. In most cases, its spotting raises concern and prompts a visit to the doctor. In addition to the protrusion in the scrotal area,** the symptoms of this condition also include pain,** which radiates from the testicle and intensifies when pressure is applied to the lump, a burning sensation and a pulling sensation in the groin area. In addition, testicular hernia in men can cause general discomfort. The tumor becomes visible especially when the abdominal muscles are tightened and during defecation. In addition, it becomes more prominent when coughing, staying standing for a long time, or lifting significant weights. If, despite the symptoms described, there are doubts about whether the discomfort is caused by a herniated testicle, you can check what it looks like on the Internet. You can easily find sample photos after typing the keyword – testicular hernia photos into your browser.
Causes of hernia on the testicles
Hernia in the testicles for adult men is caused by various factors. Usually it occurs when the tissues that build the abdominal wall are weakened and also damaged. Such a condition can be the result of ** chronic conditions that increase pressure in the abdominal cavity.** Examples include, for example, heavy physical labor and lifting heavy loads. In addition, weakening and tissue damage can occur as a result of chronic coughing, prolonged constipation that requires prolonged pushing on the toilet to have a bowel movement. Moreover, men who smoke are more likely to develop hernias on their testicles, as well as those who are older and have comorbidities such as Marfan or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Testicular hernia diagnosis
A hernia on the testicles is not difficult to diagnose, as it produces very characteristic symptoms. If you suspect that a hernia on the testicle also affects you, it is worth making an appointment with a doctor immediately. Both a consultation with a family doctor and a urologist will be helpful. To diagnose a hernia, the doctor will perform a physical examination. If there is any doubt about the origin of the tumor, additional tests, such as an ultrasound or X-ray, may be ordered.
Testicular hernia treatment
A testicular hernia in men, unlike other types of hernias, will not reabsorb on its own. This means that appropriate treatment is necessary to resolve the condition and to prevent other health consequences. In the case of children ** treatment is not carried out until after the first year of life.** The primary method of treatment for children and adults is surgical operation. During the procedure, abdominal shell tissue is used. After it is opened, the contents of the hernia sac are withdrawn into the abdomen and the inguinal canal is plasticized and reinforced. A synthetic mesh or the operated patient's own tissues are used for this.
The second method of treating a hernia is laparoscopy. It is much less invasive, but cannot always be performed. The hernia is eliminated using a laparoscope – a special camera and guides to insert surgical instruments into the groin.
Recovery after testicular hernia surgery.
Testicular hernia surgery is an invasive procedure. Therefore, it is necessary to reckon with the fact that after its performance it will be necessary to take care of yourself. First of all, physical fitness may be limited after the surgery. Depending on the method of treatment, this may take up to several months. The most important rule of thumb, is to keep heavy lifting to a minimum. At least one month after treatment, you should pay attention to your activities and limit those that involve heavy lifting. If you are doing manual labor, you may need to take sick leave and stay home until fully healed. You need to be aware that you may experience blue testicles after hernia surgery, which is completely normal. In addition, swollen testicles after inguinal hernia surgery may also become visible. However, any discomfort should gradually subside. If the feeling, discomfort, or pain in the testicles after inguinal hernia surgery does not go away and gets worse, it is advisable to consult a doctor as soon as possible. During recovery, exercise should be limited, but this does not mean that lying down is advisable. On the contrary, testicular hernia surgery patients should walk frequently, which speeds up recovery and shortens recovery time.
What are the risks of untreated testicular hernia?
As already mentioned, a hernia on the testicles always requires treatment. This is a type of condition that will not go away on its own. What's more, failure to respond and take appropriate treatment is associated with serious health consequences. For this reason, testicular hernia and its symptoms should not be underestimated. Any changes in the scrotum and groin, as well as complaints of pain, should be consulted with a doctor as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the first symptoms of a hernia are often not noticeable, especially if they are not severe and do not cause pain. Typically, most patients go to the doctor when they experience a lot of discomfort or notice a lump. Untreated testicular hernia can negatively affect the health of the entire body. Common complications of an untreated scrotal hernia include the appearance of a non-recoverable hernia. In this case, the retraction of the contents of the hernia into the abdominal cavity is impossible. This, in turn, results in the closure of the intestinal lumen and can lead to obstruction. It manifests as abdominal pain, bloating and vomiting. Further complications of untreated hernia include stool and gas retention, and in the worst case, intestinal herniation, i.e. compression of the vessels of the fragment of intestine that is in the hernia sac. The compressed intestine can become necrotic over time. This often leads to the penetration of intestinal bacteria into the blood and causes sepsis. So, as you can see, a herniated testicle is a serious condition that requires surgical or surgical treatment. The earlier it is undertaken, the greater the chance, to avoid serious complications and a quick recovery. Testicular hernia, whether congenital or acquired, is a major health risk. Therefore, it is worth knowing its symptoms and, in case of noticing them, ** do not delay a visit to the doctor.** On the basis of an examination and history, the doctor will determine the method of removing the hernia, which will be effective in a particular case. After a period of recovery, you can return to full physical activity, but it is worth bearing in mind that the removal of a hernia does not ensure that it will not reappear. Therefore, it is advisable to strengthen abdominal muscles, ensure a balanced diet and exercise, and, if possible, limit frequent heavy lifting and, if necessary, transfer force to the legs rather than the back.
Conclusion
Testicular hernias are serious and don't heal without treatment. We covered their causes, symptoms, risks, and solutions, including surgery and recovery. Ignoring this condition can lead to life-threatening complications like organ damage or sepsis. Early medical care ensures safer outcomes. If you notice symptoms, act fast and consult a doctor. By staying informed and cautious, you can protect your health, recover well, and reduce the chances of reoccurrence.
