Each testis is surrounded by a protective tissue which cannot be normally felt. This tissue secretes a little amount of lubricating fluid so that the testis can move freely. The fluid that is excess drains away into the veins inside the scrotum. When the balance between the fluid amount that is made and the drained amount alters, some fluid starts to accumulate around the testis forming a hydrocele.
A hydrocele looks and feels like a water-filled balloon inside the scrotum. It appears smooth and can vary in size. Large hydroceles can be found in elderly men who have never treated this swelling. Large hydroceles can cause discomfort due to the size and can hamper walking and sexual activity. The exact cause of hydrocele formation is not known and it usually occurs in men after the age of 45. Some hydroceles can form due to some problem in the testis like infection, inflammation, injury, tumors or lymphatic obstructions. In rare cases, some babies are born with a hydrocele when they have hernia. Both are treated after birth through a surgical operation.
Consulting an urologist is essential whenever the testis appears different in size or one feels any discomfort. The diagnosis of the urologist is solely on the basis of physical findings. A thorough examination of the scrotum and the testis including inspection, palpation and transillumination is needed in every case. If the hydrocele is large and surgery is not possible, the urologist drains the excess fluid with a needle and syringe. Local anesthetics are used on the overlying skin to make it painless. Sometimes, the urologist advises an ultrasound scan of the testis. This helps to find out if there are any underlying causes for such a formation.
Hydroceles can be easily cured through a simple surgery. If surgery is impossible due to age or some other medical problem, draining the fluid is the next option. However, in that case one has to keep draining the sac every now and then. If there are no major symptoms and no discomfort, hydroceles can be left alone. Surgery can always be performed whenever it starts giving discomfort.
One must always ask for professional advice from an urologist before opting for any prescription medicine, over-the-counter or OTC medicine or any other forms of treatment. Some medicines that are used in treating hydrocele are Phenol, Cepastat, Cepastat Extra Strength, Chloraseptic Gargle, Chloraspetic Mouth Pain Spray, Chloraseptic Rinse, Chloraseptic Spray, Chloraspetic Spray for Kids, Pain-A-Lay, Ulcerease and P & S Liquid Phenol.