If there is pain associated with your hydrocele, then exposing your scrotum to warm water (or any source of heat) may create more inflammation and make your symptoms worse. Don’t make the bath too hot (to prevent scalding) and don’t sit in the tub for too long (to prevent dehydration).
Pain or discomfort from a hydrocele is generally correlated to its size — the bigger it gets, the more likely you are to feel it. [6] X Expert Source Robert Dhir, MDBoard Certified Urologist & Urological Surgeon Expert Interview. 12 October 2020. Hydroceles tend to be smaller in the morning (upon waking) and then get more swollen as the day progresses. [7] X Research source Straining may cause certain hydrocele’s to increase in size. Babies born prematurely have a greater risk of having hydroceles. [8] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
For baby boys, hydroceles usually fade away on their own within 1 year of being born. For men, hydroceles often gradually disappear within 6 months, depending on the cause. Larger ones may take more time, but shouldn’t go beyond 1 year without medical intervention. However, in children and adolescents, hydroceles can be caused by infection, trauma, testicular torsion, or tumor, so these conditions must be excluded by examination from a doctor. Hydroceles are similar to fluid-filled ganglions that form in tendon sheaths near joints and then gradually disappear.
If you play contact sports, always wear an athletic supporter with a plastic cup to protect your scrotum from injury. Always use a new condom when having sex in order to significantly reduce your risk of infection. STDs don’t always infect the testicles, but it’s not uncommon, either.
A testicular infection is not the same as a hydrocele, but it can cause one secondarily. Testicular infections are very painful and should be treated because they increase your risk of infertility. Always seek medical treatment if you experience scrotal swelling and fever. It’s also time to see your doctor if the hydrocele is affecting the way you run, walk, or sit. Hydroceles don’t directly impact fertility.
Your doctor will start with a physical exam to check for tenderness or signs of a hernia. They may use diagnostic ultrasound, an MRI, or a CT scan to better visualize what’s going on inside the scrotum. [15] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Shining a bright light through the scrotum can reveal if the fluid is clear (indicating a hydrocele) or murky, which could be blood and/or pus. Blood and urine tests are helpful to rule out infections, such as epididymitis, the mumps, or various STDs.
Needle drainage of a hydrocele is not done all that often because the fluid usually accumulates again, requiring more treatment. [17] X Expert Source Robert Dhir, MDBoard Certified Urologist & Urological Surgeon Expert Interview. 12 October 2020. Sometimes the needle has to be inserted through the inguinal (groin) area if the hydrocele has formed higher in the scrotum or partially outside of it.
With babies, surgeons usually cut into the groin (inguinal region) to drain the fluid and remove the sac. Stitches are then used to strengthen the muscle wall — which is essentially the same as a hernia repair surgery. In adults, surgeons often cut into the scrotum to drain the fluid and remove the hydrocele sac. [21] X Research source After a hydrocelectomy, you might need a tube inserted into your scrotum to drain any excess fluid for a few days. Depending upon the type of hydrocele, surgical repair may be recommended to decrease the risk of a hernia to the area that is cut off from blood supply.
In most patients following a hydrocele operation, normal activity can restart after 4 to 7 days. [23] X Research source Potential complications from surgery to look out for include: allergic reaction to anesthesia (breathing problems), bleeding within or outside the scrotum that won’t stop, and potential infection. Signs of bacterial infection include groin pain, inflammation, redness, a foul odor, and possibly a mild fever.
