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Testicular Atrophy
Last reviewed: 27.11.2021
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Atrophy of the testicles is a disease of the reproductive system of men, which is among the most severe and causing irreversible consequences. There is a gradual decrease in testes in the volume, which in turn leads to a significant reduction in the production of the male hormone testosterone and the production of sperm.
Causes of the testicular atrophy
Quite common is the opinion that in the risk group are exclusively men who are engaged in weightlifting, in particular those who regularly visit the gym and are engaged in power exercises for muscle development. However, it can be stated with all certainty that this belief is completely erroneous. In fact, all kinds of drugs from the group of anabolic steroids, which are often accompanied by bodybuilding, is by no means the only and the main reason leading to the appearance of testicular atrophy.
The likelihood of the emergence and development of this disease is quite large and for the rest of the mass of men. And the fact that a man has never dealt with steroids and all sorts of appropriate bioactive additives - BADs, does not rule out such a possibility.
Atrophic processes of the testicles occur over a long time period, and in the case of timely diagnosis of the onset of pathological changes, their further development can be prevented.
Causes of testicular atrophy can occur during the period of intrauterine development. They are represented in particular by cryptorchidism. In the eighth month of bearing the boy, the testicles are lowered into the scrotum. If during this process the testicle lingers in the cavity of the peritoneum or in the inguinal canal, this can lead to the cessation of its development and subsequent atrophy.
Atrophy of testicles can occur as a result of injuries and inflammatory processes, hydrocele, orchitis.
Testicular atrophy is also caused by blood flow disorders. It arises from the side with which the spermatic artery can be compressed. Seed artery compression is one of the possible consequences of surgical intervention on the scrotum and plasty of the inguinal canal.
Causes of traumatic character also occur in cases of spine injury in the lumbar region, in which the innervation of the testicles is impaired. To lead to the atrophy of the testicles can also orchites, provoked by trauma.
The parenchyma of the testicle with its inflammation is characterized by a predominantly one-sided character, which causes the probability of testicular atrophy from the side that is susceptible to such an inflammatory process.
Some causes of testicular atrophy are also hormonal in nature. Atrophic processes of the testicles are possible against the background of obesity in its severe stages, as well as with hormonal imbalance associated with the regulation of sex hormones.
Symptoms of the testicular atrophy
Symptoms of testicular atrophy with bilateral type can be traced in the form of a general decrease in the volume of the scrotum, palpation reveals small dimensions and flabbiness of the testicles.
Some especially severe cases are characterized by the fact that palpation of the scrotum reveals an atrophied testicle in the form of a thin plate.
With a decrease in the size of the testicle, the level of testosterone production decreases accordingly. This, in turn, causes a significant weakening of the libido and leads to a reduction in the amount of seminal fluid.
It should be noted that changes in spermogram indices with unilateral atrophy occur even when the second testicle is not affected by this process. This is due to the fact that pathological phenomena in one testicle somehow entail disturbances in the functioning of the other.
Concomitant manifestations are a decrease in muscle tone and an oppressed emotional state.
As a rule, a man himself is able to notice such symptoms of testicular atrophy, and having detected disturbing progress in reducing their size, seek help from the appropriate specialist for prescribing timely treatment.
The presence of bilateral testicular atrophy as a complication of orchitis before the onset of puberty can cause such a phenomenon as eunuchoidism.
Atrophy of testis in varicocele
Vessels responsible for the venous blood supply of the testicle have a large amount of communication between themselves - the anastomosis of the scrotum and the inguinal canal. They form the so-called lobate plexus.
In some cases, excessive pathological expansion of such a bloodline occurs, which causes varicocele.
Atrophy of the testicle with varicocele occurs as a result of the fact that due to this phenomenon with the veins in the plexus plexus, the flow of blood deteriorates. This leads to the fact that the testicle is exhausted and its internal structure begins to deteriorate.
When the veins are enlarged, stagnant processes of blood with low oxygen saturation begin to occur in them. Local hypoxia of the testicles causes changes in their structure, which also adversely affects the quality and quantity of sperm produced.
This is due to an increase in the scrotum and overheating of the testicles due to the filling of the enlarged veins with venous blood.
Atrophy of the testicle with varicocele is caused by disturbances in the structure of the testes. The harmful effects on his condition are also having the resulting hormonal disturbances.
Atrophic processes in the testicle can be treated by appropriate surgical intervention. As a result, the testicle grows to normal size, its internal structure is restored, and as a result, the quality of the sperm is improved.
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Diagnostics of the testicular atrophy
Diagnosis of testicular atrophy involves a thorough examination of the inguinal region, penis and scrotum with testicles.
Pulp is carried out - palpation of the genitals in order to identify the possible presence of nodules or seals, indicating an oncology, as well as other pathological manifestations.
As a result of examination of the testicles, it is possible to determine for what reason pain symptoms appear, to detect foci of inflammation, or to establish the fact of congenital anatomical abnormalities, such as one missing testicle, or which did not descend into the scrotum during prenatal development.
Diagnosis of testicular atrophy is an important factor in health, whether it is an adult or a child, regardless of age. For boys, this preventive measure is relevant in that it allows you to detect a non-descending testicle, or other congenital anomalies.
A non-descending testicle may be susceptible to the development of a cancer disease in it. When revealing seals in the testicle, it should be remembered that in many cases they are malignant tumors, so do not delay the visit to the doctor, for the necessary diagnostic measures and as soon as possible start treatment.
[15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26]
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What tests are needed?
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Treatment of the testicular atrophy
Treatment of testicular atrophy, if the presence of this progressive process is diagnosed, unfortunately, is not possible.
The most expedient in this case is the removal of the testicle, affected by pathological changes. This is dictated by the considerations that otherwise there is a high probability of tumor development.
Thus, treatment is mainly reduced to timely intervention.
Such a radical measure as the removal of the affected testicle, significantly affects the condition and function of the reproductive system. This, however, does not preclude the possibility for men to continue to live a full life. In place of the removed testicle, in order to maintain the normal shape of the scrotum, a prosthesis is inserted, and for the reproductive function and maintaining a sufficient level of male hormones, the remaining, healthy testicle is enough.
At the earliest stages, the treatment of testicular atrophy with human chorionic gonadotropin shows good results, which also contributes to the restoration of the functions of the reproductive system to some extent.
A significant role is also given to preventive measures aimed at preventing testicular atrophy.
Prevention
Atrophy of the testicles practically does not provide for any effective treatment. In order to avoid further development, it is not her background of various complications and pathologies in the healthy testicle that shows the removal of the affected testicle.
Proceeding from this, prophylaxis of testicular atrophy is reduced, first of all, to the timely interpretation of anxiety symptoms and the formulation of the correct diagnosis. Therefore, if it is noticed that the testicle began to decrease in size, it is necessary to visit the urologist without delay. Due to the course of treatment prescribed by a specialist, the process can be successfully stopped. This measure, although unable to return the testicle to its normal size, will prevent the appearance of a significant hormonal imbalance in the body.
Prevention of testicular atrophy, in addition to the symptoms of the actual pathological process, also suggests the identification and immediate beginning of treatment of diseases that can lead to the death of tissues. Such diseases can be provoked by the intake of drugs of the steroid group in excessive amounts. These drugs adversely affect both the testicles, and the kidneys, the pituitary gland and the pancreas.
[27], [28], [29], [30], [31], [32], [33], [34], [35], [36], [37]
Forecast
The prognosis of testicular atrophy is largely dependent on the causes of the progression of such a process in the body of a man. It can also cause changes that affect homeostasis - the state of the optimal balance of hormones.
Due to the increase in the number of androgens during intense exercise, the level of natural testosterone tends to decrease. This ultimately leads to the fact that the functions of the testicles become much less intense and the testicles begin to decrease in size.
This phenomenon does not give grounds for considering it a cause for alarm, since it is a temporary symptom. At the end of admission of athletes steroids testicles are restored in their normal size. Also hormonal balance is again normalized.
The prognosis of testicular atrophy seems least favorable, when it is based on traumatic factors, there are serious dysfunctions of the glands and a significant imbalance in the hormonal background. A high level of risk is also associated with a significant excess of the body mass index norm and the presence of obesity 2-3 and the most severe, morbid stage.