06/03/2025
HYDROCELE
A hydrocele is a type of swelling in the sc***um, the pouch of skin that holds the testicles. This swelling happens when fluid collects in the thin sac that surrounds a testicle.
Hydroceles are common in newborns. They often go away without treatment by age one. Older children and adults can get a hydrocele due to an injury within the sc***um or other health problems.
A hydrocele often isn't painful or harmful. It might not need any treatment. But it's important to see a health care provider if the sc***um looks swollen.
Symptoms
Often the only sign of a hydrocele is a painless swelling of one or both testicles.
The swelling might make an adult's sc***um feel heavy. In general, pain gets worse as the swelling increases. Sometimes, the swollen area might be smaller in the morning and larger later in the day.
Causes
A hydrocele can form before birth. Typically, the testicles descend from the developing baby's stomach area into the sc***um. A sac comes with each testicle, letting fluid surround the testicles. Most often, each sac closes and the fluid is absorbed.
Sometimes, the fluid stays after the sac closes. This is called a noncommunicating hydrocele. The fluid usually is absorbed by age 1 or 2. Other times, the sac stays open. This is called a communicating hydrocele. The sac can change size, or fluid can flow back into the stomach area. Communicating hydroceles are often linked with inguinal hernia.
Older people
A hydrocele can form due to an injury. Or it can form because of a type of swelling, called inflammation, within the sc***um. Inflammation might be caused by an infection in the testicle or in the small, coiled tube at the back of each testicle.
Risk factors
Most hydroceles are present at birth. At least 5% of newborn males have a hydrocele. Premature babies, who are born more than three weeks before their due dates, have a higher risk of having a hydrocele.
Risk factors for getting a hydrocele later in life include:
Injury or inflam
