Testicular Torsion Symptoms: When Is the Time to Seek Medical Help?

Let's talk about the painful condition which is most common in boys going through puberty, but which doesn't exempt adults from it, too. What are the symptoms of testicular torsion?

What is testicular torsion?

Testicular torsion is a painful condition which is a consequence of twisting the spermatic cord that connects the lower part of the belly with the testicles. In the case of testicular torsion, the blood supply to the testicle is cut off, since various 'tubes' - the spermatic duct, veins and nerves - literally rotate even for several turns. In such case medical help is vital, as the untreated torsion can irreversibly damage the testicle, so that it has to be promptly removed. Testicular torsion is the most frequent cause of losing a testis in the time of adolescence.

Why do testicular torsions happen?

In most cases, the cause seems to be an ill-developed scrotum, whose anatomic deformation makes testicular torsion far more likely to occur. In 40% of the men suffering from this deformation the torsion affects both testicles. Sometimes the torsion can result from physical strain, or the cause can't be determined. Testicular torsion is also known under the term 'winter syndrom', because it happens more often in winter, when it's cold outside. It isn't advisable for men to suddenly change a warm place for a very cold one. In a warm environment, scrotum and its inside seem to be relaxed, while they contract in cold. If testicular torsion occurs while you're moving from a warm place to a cold one, you may experience great pain and will immediately need a doctor.

How do you recognize testicular torsion symptoms?

You'll recognize testicular torsion by the extremely intense pain in one of the testes, which will be accompanied by a noticeable swelling. The torsion of the cord will also lift the testicle a little. A man can suffer from physical infirmity and vertigo, and he can also throw up. Moreover, the pain can be felt in the lower part of the abdomen, and the increase in bodily temperature is also common. Torsion can occur at whatever age, but its victims are mostly boys in their puberty.

Medical help

It's important to keep in mind that every attempt to treat testicular torsion without the help of a physician turns out a failure. Torsion of the testicles requires immediate medical assistance, so don't hesitate once you identify the above-mentioned symptoms. The doctor has to put the testicle back into the right position. When this isn't possible, the scrotum has to be cut off, and the testicle has to be rotated in the right direction and then attached with a suture, to prevent any further testicular torsion. The condition calls for a surgical procedure, where the optimal time for recovery is assessed to be 6 hours. After six hours major complications can occur, and they can result in the loss of the diseased testicle. The only effective way to get rid of the problem is surgical operation. However, there are rare cases where the physician is able to manually rotate the testicle into the right position. The aim of the operation is to save the testicle, but if it happens to be unsuccessful, the remaining option is orchiectomy or the removal of the affected testicle. As the latter can be a very traumatic experience for the patient, many men wish for the insertion of a prosthetic testicle. The urologist will allow this procedure only after the patient has fully recovered from the first operation. 

It's good to know

Losing one testicle doesn't affect a man's fertility. After the surgery, consult your doctor about the details of your further treatment and the steps you should take in the future. Find out more about the potential dangers of particular activities, especially sports.