About this topic
The male sex organs are made up of different parts. The testes are small round organs that make sperm. The testes are located in the skin sac that hangs between a mans legs. The skin sac is also called the scrotum. ‚
A hydrocele is a collection of fluid inside the scrotum. In babies, the fluid may come from a hole inside the stomach wall or scrotum that did not close. Fluid may start collecting a few months after birth. In adults, the cause is unknown. ‚
A varicocele happens when the valves in the veins that drain the scrotum and testicles are not doing their job. Blood gets stuck inside the vessels in the scrotum. The excess blood makes the blood vessels swell and leaky. The swollen scrotum may look like a bag of worms. A varicocele happens more often on the left testicle. ‚
The doctor may not treat either of these conditions right away. The hole causing the hydrocele may close by itself. Other times, doctors will use drugs, a procedure, or surgery to treat these conditions. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what you need to do.
- If your doctor drained the fluid using a needle, or if a drug was injected to close the hole, keep the puncture site clean and dry. Change the bandage as needed or as instructed by the doctor.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Use an ice pack each hour for the first few days.
- Wear supporting underwear, like a jock strap or snug briefs, to support the scrotum.
- Avoid any heavy activity and lifting for 7 to 10 days after a surgery or procedure.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your condition needs close monitoring. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits.
- Your doctor will tell you if other tests are needed.
- If you are having problems having children, your doctor may send you to a fertility expert.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Prevent or fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
- Get lots of rest laying on your back. Lying down lessens the pressure of gravity on your scrotum.
- You may have to stop riding things like motorcycles or horses until the swelling goes away. Talk to your doctor about your activities.
- Ask your doctor when you may go back to your normal activities like sports, work, heavy lifting, or sex.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Problems having an erection
- Lower sex drive
- Trouble passing urine
- You may not be able to father a child
- Blood clots
- Injury to scrotum
- Swelling
- Pain
- Testicles get smaller
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Look at your scrotum each month. Check for changes in the size, shape, and asymmetry. Feel for lumps and any irregularities.
- Wear a jock strap when playing contact sports to protect your genital area from injury.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection such as a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine.
- Swelling and pain in the scrotum which does not get better after 2 days of taking drugs
- Very bad pain in the groin area
- Bloody semen
- Bloody urine
- Unable to pass urine
- Throwing up
- You are not feeling better in 2 or 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, groin pain, or bloody semen or urine.
Where can I learn more?
American Urological Association Foundation ‚
http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=129 ‚
http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=116 ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/guys/varicocele.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚