Men's Health. Discover daily stories on the latest in men's health from Dr. David Samadi. Learn about top global and national health issues related to men's health such as common cancers, prostate cancer, exercise tips, male body issues, male health screenings and prevention methods. Explore healthy solutions for men's health.
Undescended testicles also known as cryptorchidism, is when a testicle fails to drop into the normal place in the scrotum. As a baby boy develops inside his mother’s womb, the testicles begin forming in the lower abdomen. About eight weeks before birth, the testicles will move down into the scrotum or the sac that hangs below the penis.
Read MoreVaricoceles are veins that become enlarged inside the scrotum of men – comparable to developing a varicose vein in a leg. The scrotum is a sac that holds the testicles and is part of the male reproductive system that makes, stores, and moves sperm. The testicles make sperm and the hormone testosterone. Sperm that are in the process of maturing will move through the epididymis, a coiled tube behind each testicle.
Read MoreThere is a long, narrow tube tightly coiled at the back of the testicles called the epididymis. This little known curved structure is where sperm can mature and be stored in. If the epididymis becomes inflamed it is then known as epididymitis. Epididymitis is not a commonly known condition but once a man has it, he probably won’t forget it. Each year more than 60,000 men in the United States will visit an emergency room due to this problem.
Read MoreThe most frequent cause of acute onset scrotal pain men is a condition known as epididymitis. It is an inflammation of the coiled tube – the epididymis -- at the back of the testicle that stores and carries sperm. Men can contract the disease at any age.
Symptoms of epididymitis include:
· Painful urination or an urgent or frequent need to urinate
· A swollen, red or warm scrotum
· A lump on the testicle
· Testicle pain and tenderness, usually on one side
· Painful intercourse or ejaculation
· Discharge from the penis
· Blood in the semen
· Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin
· Pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen or pelvic area
Epididymitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection, including sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia.
Anytime you experience scrotal pain or swelling, pain while you urinate, or have a discharge from your penis, you should see your doctor. If the pain is severe, get to the emergency room as soon as possible.
When you visit your doctor, he will likely check for enlarged lymph nodes in your groin and an enlarged testicle on the affected side. He will also take samples of your blood, urine, and penile discharge for analysis, which will include testing for a sexually transmitted infection.
Your doctor may also give you an ultrasound test to rule out if the blood flow to the testicles is lower than normal (a condition known as testicular torsion) or higher than normal, which would be a sign of epididymitis.
Should you be diagnosed with epididymitis, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. If you caught the infection as a result of a sexual encounter, your partner will have to be treated as well. Be advised that .The symptoms may linger for several weeks even after the antibiotics have run their course.
Testicular torsion – sounds painful, right? Testicular torsion occurs when a testicle twists on the spermatic cord that allows blood to flow to the testicle. The lack of blood flow to the testicle causes a great deal of severe pain and swelling which often appears rather suddenly. Testicular torsion is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. If testicular torsion is left untreated, the testicles can become permanently damaged.
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