Every species on earth procreates itself to continue its race. Without reproduction, the world would be a big, lonely place. The male reproductive system consists of the testicles that store sperms; the duct system, which is made up of the epididymis and the vas deferens; the accessory glands, which include the seminal vesicles and prostate gland that nourishes and produces sperms; and the penis. Testicular torsion is a condition that affects the testicle and the cord that suspends it.
Torsion of the spermatic duct
The sperms in males that help in reproduction are produced by testicles. The sperms need cooler temperature than the body to survive. Hence, it is nature’s way to place the two testicles that produce sperms in scrotal sacs that are outside the abdomen. A spermatic cord suspends the testicles in the scrotal sac. In the condition called testicular torsion, this spermatic duct gets twisted due to which blood supply to the testicle is cut off, leading to swelling of the scrotum that holds the testicle.
Testicular torsion is commonly seen in males who are between 10 to 25 years of age. If you have had a previous history of testicular torsion that disappeared without treatment, then there is a possibility of it occurring again.
The torsion of the spermatic duct causes swelling and severe pain of scrotum, affected testicle looks like it is placed slightly higher than the normal one, abdominal pain, blood in semen, vomiting, nausea, and dizziness.
If the torsion is not corrected, it can cut off the blood supply to the testicle which in severe cases can cause damage to the testicle permanently. In such conditions, the testicle has to be surgically removed. In such cases, the person may suffer from infertility problem. But if the other testicle is normal, then it is enough to lead a normal sexual life and father children.
Treating testicular torsion
The doctor will conduct a complete examination of the testicles, scrotum, and abdomen. He will ask questions regarding the symptoms you have been experiencing. The doctor will test the reflexes by pinching the inside of the thigh. In normal conditions, this should cause contraction of the testicle but in testicular torsion, there is no contraction of the testicle. To diagnose testicular torsion, nuclear scan of testicles is done in which radioactive material in small amounts is injected into the blood stream. With the help of camera, the doctor then detects the areas in the testicles that are receiving less flow of blood. Sound waves of high frequency are used in scrotal ultrasound to create images of testicle and check the flow of blood. Less flow of blood in the testicles is a sign of testicular torsion. Certain urine tests and blood tests may also be recommended to rule out any infections.
To treat testicular torsion, the doctor will first try to manually fix the torsion by pushing the scrotum. If it does not work, then surgery is needed in which the spermatic cord is untwisted. The other normal testicle is also anchored to prevent testicular torsion in the future. This is performed under general anesthesia in which you will not be conscious of the operation. The sooner the untwisting of the spermatic cord is done; the better is the success rate. If the surgery is performed within 6 hours, then 90% of the testicle can be saved whereas if the surgery is performed after 12 hours, only 50% of the testicle can be saved. Only 10 % of the testicle can be saved if surgery is performed after 24 hours after the twisting of the spermatic cord. After surgery, you are advised complete rest and abstinence from sexual intercourse for many weeks. The testicular torsion cases are generally treated as an emergency. If you have lost a testicle due to testicular torsion, you must be very careful to protect the remaining one. Wearing protective guard during any sports activity is recommended to avoid injury to the testicle.
Testicular torsion- A medical emergency
Testicular torsion is regarded as a medical emergency because the faster you act, the better are the chances of saving your testicles from permanent damage. If you hesitate to get medical help you are causing more damage to the testicle. There is a chance that the testicle is permanently damaged and it may result in infertility problem. If you are aware of testicular torsion existing in the family, it is better to consult your doctor for his opinion. Take necessary steps now to avoid serious complications in the future.
