April 13th, 2017
Sometimes inflammation, infection of testes or epididymis, or an injury to genital region may causes the testicles to become enlarged. The primary pathophysiology mainly revolves around the swelling of soft tissues in the genital region or a cyst or lump formation within the testicles. Depending upon the root cause, either one or both testicles can become enlarged. The associated symptoms include fever, swelling and pain. Rarely testicular enlargement also presents as a symptom of testicular cancer.
Given below are some key factors that are responsible for unilateral or bilateral testicular enlargement:
It is very essential to pinpoint the underlying cause behind the enlarged testicles as some causes can be seriously life-threatening such as testicular torsion in which the blood flow to the testicles is affected. If not attended within 12 hours, the damage may become irreversible.
In order to diagnose correctly, the medical practitioner should questions about various signs such as:
If the treatment does not begin at the right time, the condition can develop some serious complications. These complications include:
Treatment of testicular enlargement is primarily dependent upon the severity of symptoms. It is better to seek medical assistance instead of opting self-treatment. A medical practitioner can thoroughly evaluate the pros and cons of suitable treatment options prior to initiating the treatment. A doctor may recommend following approaches:
If diagnosed early, testicular enlargement can be tackled with just simple healthy lifestyle changes like:
It is rumored that herbal treatments can help alleviate the symptoms associated with enlarged testicles. An extract of berries taken from saw palmetto shrub has proven to be very beneficial. Pyegum africanum extract and beta-sitosterol can also serve as alternatives. It is better to consult a practitioner first as some supplements can interfere with other medications or may simply aggravate the chances of bleeding.
A medical practitioner may prescribe following medicines for enlarges testicles:
These drugs may be given as combination therapy as well as monotherapy.
With minimal invasive treatment, the risk of side effects can be minimized as compared to conventional surgical treatment. Minimal invasive methods include:
The main aim of these techniques is to destroy the extra tissue responsible for enlargement.
If surgery fails to alleviate the symptoms, stent may be given due consideration. Stent is either made up of metal or plastic and is inserted into a narrow area through urethra. Once inside, it expands and pushes the tissues back making the urethra wider. This can help in getting rid of the obstruction in the urethra.
Surgery is usually a long-term approach for testicular enlargement. Open or laser surgery may be used based on the severity of condition.
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