Testicular torsion: what it is and what to do

What you should do in case of suspected twisting of the testicle is to go immediately to the emergency room or consult a urologist as soon as the first symptoms appear, such as severe pain in the testicles, swelling or tenderness.

Typically, testicular torsion is a rare problem that occurs before the age of 25 when a testicle twists around the spermatic cord, decreases blood circulation and can cause serious lesions in the testis.

Testicular twisting is a medical emergency because it is necessary to start treatment until 12 hours after the onset of symptoms to prevent the development of damage that can lead to infertility.

Pictures of testicular torsion

What causes torsion in the testicle

The main cause of twisting of the testicles is a genetic problem that causes weakening of the tissue supporting the testicles, allowing them to rotate freely within the scrotum and leading to the spermatic cord twist.

In addition, testicular torsion may also arise after trauma to the testicles due to accidents or kicks, for example after vigorous activity or during adolescence, when growth is very rapid.

Testicular torsion treatment

Testicular torsion treatment should be done as soon as possible in the hospital with surgery to place the testicle in the correct place and allow the passage of blood, avoiding the death of the organ.

Testicular torsion surgery is done under general anesthesia and usually only requires removal of the affected testicle completely if it has been more than 12 hours after the onset of symptoms. However, in these cases, the onset of infertility is rare since the problem rarely affects both testicles, allowing a healthy testicle to be maintained.

Symptoms of torsion of the testicle

The most common symptoms of testicular torsion include:

• Severe and sudden pain in the testicles;
• Swelling and increased sensitivity in the scrotum;
• Presence of one testicle higher than the other;
• Pain in the belly or groin;
• Severe pain when urinating;
• Nausea, vomiting and fever.

Torsion of the testicle in children and adolescents is more frequent at night, and in these cases, it is common for the pain to be so intense that it wakes the boy from sleep.

When these symptoms appear, it is recommended to go to the emergency room as soon as possible to have an ultrasound, diagnose testicular torsion, and initiate appropriate treatment.

See what other causes of pain may be: Pain in the testicles.