What causes testicular hardness?

Testicular hardness may be related to factors such as varicocele, epididymitis, testicular torsion, testicular tumors, testicular hydrocele, etc. It usually presents with symptoms such as local swelling, pain, and swelling. If the above situation occurs, you should seek medical treatment promptly to investigate the cause.

1. Varicocele

Varicocele is more common in young and middle-aged men. It is caused by abnormal expansion of the venous plexus in the scrotum due to obstruction of venous return. The typical manifestation is that the texture of the affected testicle becomes hardened with a feeling of swelling, which is aggravated after standing for a long time or exerting exertion. Ultrasound examination can confirm the degree of varicose veins. Mild varicose veins can be alleviated by a scrotal band, while high varicocele ligation is required for moderate to severe varicose veins.

2. Epididymitis

Bacterial retrograde infection can easily cause epididymitis. In the acute stage, redness, swelling, heat and pain in the testicular epididymal area can be seen, and in the chronic stage, palpable induration can be seen. With urinary system symptoms such as frequent urination and urgency, antibiotics such as levofloxacin tablets and cefixime dispersible tablets need to be used, along with nursing measures such as bed rest and scrotal elevation.

3. Testicular torsion

Testicular torsion is a urological emergency. The rotation of the spermatic cord causes blood flow to be interrupted. Failure to reset it within 6 hours can easily lead to testicular necrosis. Sudden severe pain accompanied by elevated testicular position and hardened texture are the characteristic symptoms. Color Doppler ultrasound can confirm the diagnosis, and urgent surgical reduction and fixation is required.

4. Testicular tumors

Painless hard lumps in the testicles should alert you to germ cell tumors. When touched, you can detect an increase in the size of the testicles and a stone-like texture. Serum alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin detection combined with imaging examinations can assist in diagnosis, and radical orchiectomy combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the main treatment method.

5. Testicular hydrocele

Unclosure of the sheath or inflammatory reaction may cause hydrocele, and a positive light transmittance test is the differential feature. A small amount of effusion can be observed, but if the amount is large and accompanied by compression symptoms, a sheath inversion operation is required. When combined with infection, the cyst wall becomes thickened and hardened, and cefuroxime axetil capsules need to be used to control inflammation.

You should avoid strenuous exercise or external force impacting the scrotum in daily life, and wear loose and breathable underwear. Perform testicular self-examination once a month, using the supine position to gently palpate the shape and texture of both testicles. If the induration is found to persist or increase, you must immediately go to the urology department to investigate the cause. Do not take painkillers to cover up the condition. When acute pain attacks, you can temporarily apply ice to relieve it, but do not apply heat to avoid aggravating swelling.