Testicular atrophy

Testicular atrophy is a disease of the male reproductive system, which is one of the most severe and causes irreversible consequences. There is a gradual decrease in the volume of the testicles, which in turn leads to a significant reduction in the production of the male hormone testosterone and sperm production.

Causes testicular atrophy

It is a common belief that the risk group includes only men involved in weightlifting, in particular those who regularly visit the gym and do strength training exercises to develop muscles. However, it is safe to say that this belief is completely wrong. In reality, all sorts of drugs from the anabolic steroid group, which are often taken during bodybuilding, are far from the only and main reason that leads to testicular atrophy.

The probability of occurrence and development of this disease is quite high in the rest of the mass of men. And the fact that a man has never dealt with steroids and all sorts of corresponding bioactive additives - dietary supplements, does not exclude such a possibility at all.

Atrophic processes of the testicles occur over a long period of time, and in the case of timely diagnosis of the onset of pathological changes, their further development can be prevented.

The causes of testicular atrophy may occur even during the period of intrauterine development. They are represented in particular by cryptorchidism. In the eighth month of bearing a boy, the testicles descend into the scrotum. If during this process the testicle is retained in the peritoneal cavity or in the inguinal canal, this can lead to the cessation of its development and subsequent atrophy.

Testicular atrophy can occur as a result of trauma and inflammatory processes, hydrocele, orchitis.

Testicular atrophy is also caused by blood supply disorders. It occurs on the side from which the spermatic artery may be compressed. Compression of the spermatic artery is one of the possible consequences of surgical intervention on the scrotum and plastic surgery of the inguinal canal.

Traumatic causes also occur in cases of damage to the lumbar spine, which disrupts the innervation of the testicles. Orchitis caused by trauma can also lead to testicular atrophy.

When the parenchyma of the testicle becomes inflamed, it is predominantly one-sided, which determines the likelihood of testicular atrophy on the side that is subject 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.

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Symptoms testicular atrophy

Symptoms of testicular atrophy in its bilateral type are observed in the form of a general decrease in the volume of the scrotum; upon palpation, small sizes and flabbiness of the testicles are detected.

Some particularly severe cases are characterized by the fact that palpation of the scrotum reveals an atrophied testicle in the form of a thin plate.

As the testicle size decreases, the level of testosterone production decreases accordingly. This in turn causes a significant weakening of libido and leads to a reduction in the amount of seminal fluid.

It is necessary to note the fact that changes in spermogram parameters in case of unilateral atrophy occur even when the second testicle is not affected by this process. This occurs because pathological phenomena in one testicle in one way or another entail disturbances in the functioning of the other.

Associated symptoms include decreased muscle tone and depressed emotional state.

As a rule, a man himself is able to notice such symptoms of testicular atrophy, and having identified alarming progress in the reduction of their size, seek help from the appropriate specialist to prescribe timely treatment.

The presence of bilateral testicular atrophy as a complication of orchitis before puberty can cause a phenomenon known as eunuchoidism.

Testicular atrophy in varicocele

The vessels responsible for the venous blood supply of the testicle have a large number of connections between themselves - anastomoses of the scrotum and inguinal canal. They form the so-called pampiniform plexus.

In some cases, excessive pathological expansion of such a blood vessel network occurs, which causes varicocele.

Testicular atrophy in varicocele occurs as a result of the fact that due to this phenomenon with the veins in the pampiniform plexus, the blood supply is impaired. This leads to the testicle becoming depleted and its internal structure begins to deteriorate.

When veins are dilated, stagnant processes of blood with low oxygen saturation begin to occur in them. Local hypoxia of testicular tissues causes changes in their structure, which also has a detrimental effect on the quality and quantity of sperm produced.

This is caused by an enlargement of the scrotum and overheating of the testicles due to the filling of the dilated veins with venous blood.

Testicular atrophy in varicocele is caused by disturbances in the structure of testicular tissue. Hormonal disturbances that arise in this case also have a detrimental effect on its condition.

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 sperm improves.

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Diagnostics testicular atrophy

Diagnosis of testicular atrophy involves a thorough examination of the groin area, penis, scrotum and testicles.

Pulping is performed - palpation of the genitals in order to identify the possible presence of nodules or seals indicating oncology, as well as other pathological manifestations.

As a result of examination of the testicles, it is possible to determine the cause of pain symptoms, detect foci of inflammation, or establish the fact of congenital anatomical deviations from the norm, such as one missing testicle, or one that did not descend into the scrotum during the period of prenatal development.

Diagnosis of testicular atrophy is an important health factor, whether it is an adult or a child, regardless of age. For boys, this preventive measure is relevant because it allows you to detect an undescended testicle or other congenital anomalies.

An undescended testicle is highly likely to develop cancer. When lumps are detected in the testicle, it should be remembered that in many cases they are malignant tumors, so you should not delay visiting a doctor to perform the necessary diagnostic procedures and begin treatment as soon as possible.

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Treatment testicular atrophy

Treatment of testicular atrophy, if this progressive process is diagnosed, is unfortunately not possible.

In such a case, the most appropriate option is to remove the testicle affected by the pathological changes. This is dictated by the considerations that otherwise there remains a high probability of tumor development.

Thus, treatment is mainly reduced to timely surgical intervention.

Such a radical measure as removal of the affected testicle significantly affects the condition and functions of the reproductive system. This, however, does not exclude the possibility for a man to live a full life in the future. A prosthesis is inserted in place of the removed testicle to maintain the normal shape of the scrotum, and the remaining healthy testicle is quite sufficient for reproductive function and maintaining a sufficient level of male hormones.

In the earliest stages, treatment of testicular atrophy with human chorionic gonadotropin shows good results, which also to some extent helps restore the functions of the reproductive system.

A significant role is also given to preventive measures aimed at preventing testicular atrophy.

Prevention

Testicular atrophy practically does not provide any effective treatment. In order to avoid further development of all sorts of complications and pathologies in the healthy testicle, removal of the affected testicle is indicated.

Based on this, prevention of testicular atrophy comes down primarily to timely interpretation of alarming symptoms and correct diagnosis. Therefore, if it is noticed that the testicle has begun to decrease in size, it is necessary to immediately visit a urologist. As a result of the course of treatment prescribed by a specialist, the process can be successfully stopped. This measure, although not able to return the testicle to normal size, will prevent the occurrence of a significant hormonal imbalance in the body.

Prevention of testicular atrophy, in addition to the signs of this pathological process itself, also involves identifying and immediately starting treatment for diseases that can lead to tissue death. Such diseases can be provoked by taking steroid drugs in excessive quantities. These drugs have a negative effect on both the testicles and the kidneys, pituitary gland and pancreas.

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Forecast

The prognosis for testicular atrophy depends largely on the causes that provoke the progression of this process in the male body. It can also be caused by changes that affect homeostasis – the state of optimal hormonal balance.

Due to the increase in androgens during intense exercise, natural testosterone levels tend to decrease. This ultimately causes the testicles to function significantly less intensely and the testicles to begin to shrink in size.

This phenomenon does not give grounds to consider it a cause for alarm, since it is a temporary symptom. After the athlete stops taking steroids, the testicles are restored to their normal size. The hormonal balance is also normalized again.

The prognosis for testicular atrophy appears to be the least favorable when it is based on traumatic factors, serious dysfunction of the glands, and a significant hormonal imbalance. A high degree of risk is also associated with a significant excess of the body mass index and the presence of obesity of 2-3 and the most severe, morbid stage.

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