Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | Patient+ | Guidelines | News | Products | Other
Print options:   Other options:   (what's this?)

Hydrocele

A hydrocele is a collection of fluid in the scrotum. Most develop for no apparent reason, are harmless, and can be left alone. A small operation can cure the problem if needed. In a small number of cases, a hydrocele is due to an underlying problem with a testis.

The normal scrotum and testes

The scrotum is normally loose, soft, and fleshy. It holds the two testes. Usually you can easily feel the testes in the scrotum. A tube (the vas) takes sperm from each testis to the the penis. It is normal for one testis to hang lower than the other.

What is a hydrocele?

A hydrocele is a collection of fluid in a sac in the scrotum next to a testes (testicle). It usually occurs on one side, but sometimes a hydrocele forms over both testes.

The normal testis is surrounded by a smooth protective tissue sac. You cannot normally feel this. It makes a small amount of 'lubricating' fluid to allow the testes to move freely. Excess fluid normally drains away into the veins in the scrotum. If the balance is altered between the amount of fluid that is made, and the amount that is drained, some fluid accumulates as a hydrocele.

What do hydroceles look and feel like?

A hydrocele feels like a small fluid filled balloon inside the scrotum. It feels smooth, and is mainly in front of one of the testes. They vary greatly in size. Very large hydroceles are sometimes seen in elderly men who have never shown their swelling to a doctor. It might have been getting larger over a number of years.

Hydroceles are normally painless. Large hydroceles may cause discomfort because of their size. Walking or sexual activity may become uncomfortable if you have a very large hydrocele.

What causes hydroceles?

Most hydroceles occur in adults and are most common in older men.

  • The cause is not known in most cases.
  • A small number of hydroceles are caused when something is wrong with one of the testes. For example, infection, inflammation, injury, or tumours of a testis may cause fluid to be formed which leads to a hydrocele forming.

Some babies are born with a hydrocele. One often occurs if the baby has a hernia and both are usually fixed soon after birth by a surgical operation.

Do I need any tests?

Usually not. A doctor will want to check that the testes are healthy. If the hydrocele is large, and the doctor cannot feel the testis, the fluid can be drained with a needle and syringe. (This is helped by injecting local anaesthetic into the overlying skin to make the procedure painless.) Once the fluid is removed, the testes can be examined more easily. Sometimes an ultrasound scan of the testes will be advised. This can check the testes to make sure there is no underlying cause for the hydrocele.

What are the treatments for hydrocele?
  • Leave alone. If the hydrocele causes no symptoms one option is simply to leave it alone. If it becomes larger or troublesome, you can always change your mind.
  • Drainage. The fluid can be drained easily with a needle and syringe. However, it is common for the sac of the hydrocele to refill with fluid within a few months. Draining every now and then may be an option if you are an older person and not fit for surgery, or if you do not want an operation.
  • Surgery. Hydroceles can usually be cured with a relatively simple surgical operation.

(Most hydroceles occur with normal testes. In the rare situation of an underlying disease of a testis causing the hydrocele, other treatments may also be advised.)

© EMIS and PIP 2004   Updated: May 2002   CHIQ Accredited   

Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk


The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest.

Find out more about updating.

(what's this?)

Patient UK Current Health News

Related pages in Patient UK

Your Experience (^ top of page)

 Please add your experience about this condition / medicine
 View Patient Experience for 'Hydrocele' (41 there)
 Hydrocele

 Guidelines on Hydrocele

Latest Health News

 View current health news

Medical equipment


Visit the Patient UK Medical Equipment shop

Books


Visit the Patient UK shop

Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)

Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.
Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites

Advertisements









Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control over the content of any external links above. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.

Want to advertise on this site? Find out how >>

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Information Leaflets which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Support Groups which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Medicines & Drugs which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of diagrams which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of PatientPlus (detailed reference) articles which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of UK Guidelines which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of other selected websites which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Poems and Stories which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Operations and Procedures which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Online Videos which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links through to our interactive forum.
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to news stories on this subject in our Online Newspaper
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to related products
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to other useful sources of information
Click here to open a printer-friendly version of this document, in a new window, together with the print dialogue box
Click here to open this document in PDF format
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document
Click here to listen to the MP3 audio recording of this document
Click here to download the audio recording of this document as a podcast, for listening to at your leisure
Click here to open our Dictionaries and Glossaries page
Click here to see related products in our Online Pharmacy
Note: this will open in a new window
Click here to add this page to a social bookmarking site of your choice
Click here if you want to find out more about social bookmarking. This link will take you to the Wikipedia explanation
Note: this will open in a new window
Click here to return to the home page
Click here to read our 'About Us' page
Go to the Emis Access website, where you can book an appointment with your GP, order a repeat prescription or view you medical record online.
Note: this will open in a new window
View and/or join in discussion about health, lifestyle and disease in our interactive forum.
Note: this will open in a new window
Go to our online pharmacy where you can buy over-the-counter products for home delivery.
Note: this will open in a new window
Go to our online newspaper for current medical news and commentary.
Note: this will open in a new window
Adverts on this site do not influence the medical content. Click to read more.
Adverts on this site do not influence the medical content. Click to read more.