Testicular Torsion

When it comes to health, most men don't usually take their health seriously until when their condition is severe or in pain. The general opinion is that it's a woman's world when addressing health issues.

First Doctor @firstdoctorr on Twitter has addressed a common problem among men, "testicular torsion" he talked about symptoms, causes, and how to treat it.

"Testicular torsion happens when your testicle rotates, twisting your spermatic cord (the tube which contains the vessels that bring blood to your testis). this leads to reduced blood flow to the testis, causing sudden and often severe pain, redness, and swelling.

Symptoms of Testicular torsion

1. Sudden, severe scrotal pain
2. Scrotal swelling
3. Lower tummy pain
4. Nausea and vomiting
5. Frequent peeing
6. Feeling feverish
7. Abnormal positioning of your testicle: usually higher than normal or at an unusual angle.

Causes of Testicular torsion

1. Vigorous physical exercise
2. Injury to the testis e.g. from a football kick or a direct strike on the testis
3. Common in extremely cold temperatures
4. The rapid growth of the testicles during puberty
5. It may even happen while you're asleep

Things that make you more likely to have testicular torsion

1. when you are between 12 to 18 years of age
2. when you have a previous testicular torsion that was not treated. e.g. you had repeated pain in the testicles which went away untreated during exercise
3. If testicular torsion runs in your family.

How to treat Testicular torsion

1. It needs EMERGENCY SURGERY! Rush to the theatre.
2. If operated fast enough, your testicles can be saved. But if blood flow has been cut off for too long, your testicle might get so damaged that it has to be removed (orchidectomy), risking infertility.

How to prevent Testicular torsion

1. If men in your family inherit the trait of having testicles that can rotate in the scrotum, the only way to prevent torsion is to have surgery to attach your testicles to the inside of your scrotum.
2. Protect your testicles from kicks.

A lot of men that had testicular torsion and didn't treat it properly are currently at risk of infertility due to the damage done their testes".