Testicular Atrophy - Causes, Symptoms, and Risks

Testicular Atrophy – Testicular atrophy is a kind of medical disease in which the testicles shrink & lose their usual function. This illness can cause a reduction in testosterone production as well as sperm count, leading to male infertility and other consequences. Aging, hormone imbalances, infections, trauma, and some medical treatments like radiation or chemotherapy can all contribute to this. Treatment methods vary depending on the underlying reason and may involve hormone replacement therapy or surgical procedures.

In this post, we will look at testicular atrophy, its symptoms & causes, as well as the various treatments.

What is Testicular Atrophy?

Testicular atrophy is the narrowing of the testicles, which are two male reproductive glands found in the scrotum. The scrotum’s primary role is to control the temperature surrounding the testicles. In order to achieve this, it contracts in cold weather and relaxes in warm weather. This may cause your testicles to seem smaller or bigger than usual.

Testicular atrophy refers to the narrowing or shrinkage of your testicles, not your scrotum. It can be caused by an accident, underlying medical issues, or prolonged exposure. The testes work because of two types of cells: Leydig cells & Germ cells. The Leydig cells create testosterone (the male sexual hormone). While germ cells produce sperm, Leydig cells are responsible for their function. These two kinds of cells are created in equal quantities throughout the normal growth of the testis. Testicular fluid levels can fluctuate if one or both kinds of cells are decreased, resulting in rapidly diminishing testes. Here are some probable reasons for testicular atrophy.

Testicular Atrophy Symptoms

Testicular atrophy is a curable medical problem. However, if not treated quickly, it can result in serious and irreversible damage to the reproductive organs. Although Atrophic testis is not reversible, early detection and therapy can assist to totally cure the problem. As a result, it is critical to appropriately diagnose and treat early signs of testicular atrophy.

Common signs of Atrophic testis are:

Decreased sexual drive.
Male infertility issues.
Pain in the testicles.
The testicles grow smaller.
Loss of bodily muscles.
Soft testicles.
Slow growth/complete absence of pubic or facial hair.

Testicular atrophy symptoms might sometimes appear in males who have not reached puberty. Some of the symptoms include:

exhibiting no indicators of male sexual traits such as facial or pubic hair, a rise in penis size, etc.

Causes of Testicular Atrophy

The reasons for atrophic testicles are quite different. Testicular atrophy can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections and malignancies. The reasons of Atrophic testis are as follows:

Infections: Infections like mumps or orchitis can cause severe damage to testicular tissue, resulting in atrophy.
Varicocele: This disorder, which resembles varicose veins in the scrotum, affects testicular blood flow and may cause atrophy.
Hormonal intake: Testicular shrinkage is frequently seen in males who use external hormonal treatments such as testosterone, estrogen, or anabolic steroids.
Aging: Natural aging processes can cause a progressive loss in testicle size, which is not always problematic.
Undescended testis (cryptorchidism): the testis is in an aberrant place and, if not lowered back to the scrotum, might atrophy.
Testicular Torsion: The agonizing twist of a testicle’s blood supply causes reduced circulation and possible atrophy.
Injury or injuries: Neglected physical injuries to the testicles might lead to Atrophic testis over time.
Alcohol use disorder. Alcohol can produce low testosterone levels and testicular tissue injury, both of which can result in Atrophic testis.

What are the risks of testicular atrophy?

Atrophic testis is a significant condition. It is a risk associated with certain diseases. The hazards (complications) of Atrophic testis are:

Infertility: The testicles have two primary functions: to create testosterone or sperm. These functions are adversely compromised by Atrophic testis. If atrophy is bilateral, both abilities are substantially disrupted. If the atrophy is just in one testis and the other is normal, testosterone or sperm production may continue normally.
Erection problem: Erectile dysfunction can arise owing to a lack of testosterone hormone generated by the testicles.
Testicular cancer: One of the most serious consequences of Atrophic testis is the growth of cancer of the testes. These people should be continuously monitored for testicular cancer.
Psychological issues: Atrophic testicles generate psychological problems and a loss of self-esteem in persons.

When should you see a doctor if you have testicular atrophy?

Seek medical care if you encounter any of the following situations:

Pain or chronic discomfort in the scrotum
Feeling or observing testicular enlargement or hardening
Abnormal scrotal bloating
Inability to establish or maintain an erection.
Reduced sexual desire or incapacity to have children.

Almost all illnesses have an early diagnosis, which may be efficiently treated, improving the prognosis and reducing future complications. If you are suffering a major difficulty, speak with a reproductive professional.

A Note from kamarth

There are several causes that might cause testicular shrinkage, ranging from viral infections to the usage of drugs. To minimize irreversible harm to your reproductive system, you should frequently check the size and form of your testicles. It is preferable to have an andrologist or urologist examine your testicles if one or both of them seem unexpectedly smaller. This is because the harm caused by testicular atrophy can be partially repaired with early medical intervention.

Read Also: Treatment of testicular atrophy

Some Additional Doubts

Question: Do home remedies help to treat testicular atrophy?
Answer: There is no strong evidence that natural remedies can treat Atrophic testis. As a result, see a doctor to receive the appropriate medical therapy.

Question: Can testicular atrophy be left untreated?
Answer: It is not recommended to leave Atrophic testis untreated since it might increase over time, postpone healing, and potentially result in permanent male infertility.

Question: Does testicular atrophy affect both testicles?
Answer: Testicular atrophy in males can damage both or only one of their testicles. Atrophic testis in males can damage both or only one of their testicles.

Question: What are the infertility problems due to testicular atrophy?
Answer: Male infertility issues caused by testicular atrophy include reduced sperm count and testosterone levels in the body.

Question: Can Testicular Atrophy Cause Male Infertility?
Answer: It has the potential to impact male fertility. This is due to the fact that testicular size is closely correlated with sperm production capacity. In other words, men with tiny testicles have fewer sperm than those with bigger testicles.

Testicular Atrophy – Causes, Symptoms, and Risks

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