Hydrocele, Epididymitis and Infertility

There are two types of hydrocele: primary and secondary. The cause of primary type is not clear, and the course is slow, which may be related to trauma and inflammation. Secondary patients have primary diseases, such as acute orchitis, epididymitis, spermatitis, trauma, hernia repair. If they are secondary to high fever heart failure, peritoneal effusion, and other systemic symptoms after scrotal surgery, it is acute hydrocele. A chronic hydrocele is found in testis and epididymitis, syphilis, tuberculosis, and tumors.

 

This disease can occur at any age. When the sheath itself or testis, epididymis, and other pathological changes occur, the secretion and absorption of fluid lose balance, forming hydrocele. The clinical manifestation of hydrocele is more common on one side. There is a cystic mass in the scrotum, which is chronic and painless and gradually enlarges.

 

A small amount of effusion may be asymptomatic; when the volume of effusion increases gradually, the affected scrotum may have a sense of heavy falling, pulling, or swelling pain. If the effusion is huge, the penis retracts into the prepuce, affecting urination, sexual life, and walking. If the hydrocele is too large, the penis of the patient is surrounded by scrotal skin, and it will not be conducive to the normal sexual life of the patient.

 

Long-term immersion in hydrocele and under pressure will cause a compensatory increase, spermatic cord thickening, affecting the normal development of testis. Long-term hydrocele and elevated internal pressure in the sheath can affect the blood flow and temperature regulation of the testis and cause testicular atrophy on the affected side. Hydrocele can also cause reproductive diseases such as orchitis, tuberculosis, syphilis, cancer, and filariasis, which increase the difficulty of treatment.

 

Hydrocele caused by scrotal trauma, orchitis and epididymitis, and filariasis is also known as secondary hydrocele. No matter what type of hydrocele it is, it can cause male infertility. Experts say there are three main reasons why testicular hydrocele may affect fertility from the current research results.

 

(1)The hydrocele around the testicle forces the testicle affects blood circulation and spermatogenesis.

 

(2) The hydrocele is too large, and the penis is surrounded by scrotal skin, which is not conducive to normal sexual intercourse.

 

(3) Patients who are secondary to tuberculosis, orchitis, and other diseases may have an increased risk of infertility.

 

(4)Therefore, patients should first identify the etiology of hydrocele, and the treatment of hydrocele is mainly surgical treatment. The method of operation varies according to the type of hydrocele. If it is hydrocele caused by epididymitis and the symptoms are mild. Patients can use conservative treatment with drugs for epididymitis. Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill, a traditional herbal medicine. It can clear heat and detoxify, kill bacteria and diminish inflammation, activate the blood circulation, and remove blood stasis, effectively treat epididymitis, thereby improving the symptoms of hydrocele.