Overview
A hydrocele is a buildup of fluid in the thin sac that surrounds a testicle, causing painless scrotal swelling. It is common in newborns and often resolves on its own, but it can also develop in adult men. It is usually harmless but should be checked to rule out other causes of swelling.
Symptoms
- Painless swelling of one or both sides of the scrotum
- A soft, balloon-like feeling in the scrotum
- Swelling that may be larger by the end of the day
- A sensation of heaviness
- In larger hydroceles, discomfort with movement
Causes & risk factors
- Imbalance between fluid production and absorption in the sac around the testicle
- Present at birth when a passage between the abdomen and scrotum does not close
- Injury or inflammation of the scrotum or testicle in adults
- Infection of the testicle or epididymis
- Occasionally associated with other scrotal conditions that need evaluation
Treatment & self-care
In infants, hydroceles often disappear within the first year and are simply watched. In adults, a clinician will examine the scrotum and may use ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other causes. Persistent, large, or uncomfortable hydroceles can be treated with a minor surgical procedure to drain or remove the sac. See a urologist if a hydrocele is large, growing, or painful.
See a doctor urgently if
- Any scrotal swelling appears so the underlying cause can be confirmed
- The swelling becomes large, uncomfortable, or rapidly changes in size
- There is associated pain, redness, or fever, which can signal infection
- An infant's hydrocele has not resolved after about one year