Testicular atrophy - a decrease in testicular volume, accompanied by a decrease in secreted sperm and hormones. This pathology is rare in practice, but many men have prerequisites for its development. The disease develops gradually and can befall men of various professions at any age. But most often, atrophy of the testicles occurs in boys due to congenital cryptorchidism (this diagnosis is made if one / both testicles did not descend into the scrotum). Contrary to popular belief, the risk of atrophy is not necessarily related to steroids or bodybuilding.
If the disease is not treated, the man is at risk of infertility. However, the ability to have sexual intercourse persists even when impossibility of conception. In part, this alleviates psychological trauma from a man’s awareness of his inability to produce offspring. On the other hand, maintaining sexual function in the presence of progressive degenerative processes in the external genital organs may delay a visit to the doctor.
Symptoms of testicular atrophy appear visually and are palpable. The patient himself can detect a violation. Its symptoms are as follows:
- progressive reduction in the size of the testis / testicles;
- increasing sagging of the external genitalia;
- in the last stages, the testicle gradually turns into a thin shell without the usual contents;
- causeless weakness, apathy, depression;
- weakening of sexual desire;
- feminization of a figure (especially pronounced in immature patients).
The slightest signs of such changes should be an occasion for an immediate visit to the doctor and taking tests.
Even if only one testicle is damaged, spermogram will show the modified results. Since the testes are interconnected (have a common neuro-humoral regulation), degenerative phenomena in one of them will soon spread to the second testicle, and the quality and quantity of sperm produced by them will deteriorate.
The reasons
- In children, the most common cause of testicular atrophy is congenital cryptorchidism.
- Testicular atrophy can develop with varicocele, hydrocele as a concomitant disease against the background of problems with blood vessels.
- After injuries or operations in the scrotum, the development of this pathology is also possible. Moreover, after an injury a lot of time can pass, and its external manifestations can disappear.
- Hormonal imbalance (obesity, dysregulation of sex hormones) is a common cause of atrophy.
Other factors include the following factors.
- Various disorders of blood flow in the scrotum (with atherosclerosis of blood vessels).
- Neurological disorders.
- Torsion of the testicle.
- Infectious diseases, inflammatory processes.
- The use of drugs, steroids.
Medical treatments
100% effective measures to combat developing testicular atrophy have not yet been found. Drug therapy is practiced in the treatment of diseases and various factors that can provoke atrophy (testicular torsion, infections, genital injuries), and as prevention.
If the cause of atrophy is known, etiotropic therapy can stop the development of testicular pathology. For example, with problems with blood vessels, the patient is shown drugs that improve blood circulation and tissue nutrition: pentoxifylline, trental, actovegin.
In violation of neuroregulation of the external genitalia, galantamine (nivalin) preparations are effective. However, it can cause allergies.
With atherosclerosis, antiplatelet agents (thrombotic-ACC, aspirin-cardio) are recommended.
In cases of complete atrophy, the testicle should be removed surgically, followed by implantation of the implant.
Treatment with folk remedies
Testicular atrophy may develop azoospermia - lack or complete absence of male germ cells in the ejaculate, underdevelopment of sperm. Azoospermia involves treatment with various folk and other means (hirudotherapy, protein diet).
Here are some effective recipes to help improve sperm quality after a successful medical treatment for testicular atrophy.
- 1 tsp wormwood seeds pour a glass of boiling water. Use infusion per day.
- 1 tsp powder from plantain seeds pour a glass of water and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Drink strained infusion 2 weeks several times a day under Art. l
- Eat 1 ripe pomegranate per day, drink pomegranate juice.
- Take 200 g of honey, 200 ml of red wine, juice of 3 lemons, 3 yolks. Mix the product thoroughly and take 1 tbsp. l in 20 minutes before meals twice a day. Store homemade medicine in the refrigerator.
- Pour boiling water over 1 tbsp. l finely chopped hawthorn fruit. Strained infusion to drink 3 times a day.
- Mummy with carrot juice in a ratio of 1:20 drink every day for a month on an empty stomach.
Can I get pregnant
Progressive atrophy ultimately leads to irreversible processes in the testicle. If the affected organ is not surgically removed, the disease can spread to a healthy testicle, completely affecting the male reproductive system. But early diagnosis can prevent this serious illness until it leads to a catastrophic decrease in testosterone production by the body, signs of azoospermia, and other consequences. With one healthy testicle, pregnancy is still possible, although its likelihood of occurrence is reduced.
