What is testicular torsion?

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.

Testicular torsion is most common among males between the ages of 10 and 25 years old. However, men get testicular torsion at any age. What causes testicular torsion? Testicular torsion has been known to run in families. Therefore, if you have a father who has suffered from testicular torsion, you may be at a higher risk for developing the condition. Testicular torsion may also occur after an injury to the scrotum, during physical exercise, or after sleeping in which the testicle may have rotated and twisted throughout the night.

The signs and symptoms of testicular torsion include sudden, severe pain in the scrotum, swelling of the scrotum, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, a testicle that's positioned higher than normal or at an unusual angle, painful urination, or a fever.

The risk factors for testicular torsion include age, previous testicular torsion, or family history of testicular torsion. Some say testicular torsion is most common between ages 12 and 16 years old, while others say it is most common between the ages of 10 and 25 years old. Young boys who have testicular torsion often experience it after they wake up as a result of feeling scrotal pain in the middle of the night or in the morning.

Having previously had testicular torsion raises your risk for developing testicular torsion again. If you've had testicular pain that went away without treatment, there is a higher chance of it occurring again. The more often you experience testicular pain, the higher chance there will be testicular damage. If you have a family history of testicular torsion, you have a higher risk of having testicular torsion as the condition can run in families.

It is important to seek immediate treatment for testicular torsion because it can lead to some serious complications. Complications of testicular torsion include permanent damage to or death of the testicle. If testicular torsion is left untreated for a number of hours, the blood flow to the testicles can become blocked and cause permanent testicular damage. In some cases, the testicle may need to be surgically removed. Another complication is infertility which would prevent a man from being able to have children with his partner.