Table of contents:
- What is testicular torsion?
- Causes of testicular torsion
- Symptoms of testicular torsion that need to be watched out for
The testes are an important part of the male reproductive organs. The reason is, this part of the body is responsible for producing and storing sperm and testosterone. Therefore, maintaining testicular health is as important as the penis. In some cases, this organ can develop a medical condition known as testicular torsion. It is important to recognize the various symptoms of testicular torsion so that you know what steps to take and when to go to the doctor.
What is testicular torsion?
Source: American Family Physician
Testicular torsion is a condition when the testicles are twisted so that they twist the spermatic cord that carries blood to the scrotum. As a result, blood flow to the scrotum is not smooth. When blood flow is not smooth, testicular torsion will produce several symptoms, such as sudden and often severe pain and swelling. If not treated immediately, the tissue in the testicles will become damaged and die. The testicles can no longer function properly.
This condition most commonly occurs between the ages of 12 and 18. However, it is possible for this to happen to adults and even to babies before birth. However, according to the American Urological Association, this condition is rare and affects only 1 in 4,000 men under the age of 25.
Causes of testicular torsion
Quoted from several sources, there is actually no clear cause why this condition can occur. Many people experience this condition due to genetic or congenital factors.
In addition, this condition often occurs when a few hours after you do strenuous activities such as sports, minor injury to the testicles, even while sleeping. In addition, testicular growth that is too fast during puberty can also be the cause.
If you have experienced testicular torsion before, it is not impossible that this condition can reappear at a later date. Especially if the symptoms of testicular torsion that you have experienced before, such as pain, go away on their own without treatment. This condition will actually increase the risk of your pain recurring.
Symptoms of testicular torsion that need to be watched out for
Because testicular torsion is a medical emergency, you need to know the various symptoms of testicular torsion so that you can easily recognize it and get it checked out immediately. The following are various symptoms that usually appear, namely:
- Sudden pain on one side of the scrotum (the pocket of skin that covers the testicles)
- Swollen scrotum
- Discoloration of the scrotum to become redder or darker
- Stomach ache
- Nausea and vomiting
- High testicle next door
- Urinating frequently
- Bloody semen
- Fever
With testicular torsion, symptoms of pain usually last for hours or days. Usually this pain attacks the left side more often than the right. The more frequent attacks of pain you feel, the higher the damage to the testicles.
If the pain becomes unbearable, immediately visit the nearest hospital. The reason is, if the testicles and the blood supply channels in them are twisted for more than six hours, the testicles can die. The dead testicle will need to be removed surgically.
No need to worry, even if one of the testicles is surgically removed you still have the opportunity to have children. The reason is quoted from the Urology Care Foundation, just one testicle can produce a normal sperm and testosterone count. However, the most important thing is to check with a specialist to ensure that testicular torsion will not occur again in the future.
x