OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Advice on Small Hydrocele Situation

9/2/2025, 3:30:42 AMMale25-34

A 24-year-old Caucasian male, standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 210 pounds, with no prior medical conditions, sought advice about pain in his right testicle, posting about it yesterday. After receiving recommendations, he decided to visit the emergency room. There, a urine analysis and an ultrasound were conducted; the urine results were completely normal. The ultrasound revealed a "small hydrocele on the left side," with the doctor's notes indicating that there were "no acute abnormalities." The physician reassured him that it was not a cause for concern. However, he is curious whether the presence of a hydrocele in the left testicle could be responsible for his pain in the right testicle. Any insights would be appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Multiple SclerosisFibromyalgiaInternal Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

9/2/2025, 3:30:58 AM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to be concerned about experiencing testicular pain, especially when you've received a diagnosis like a small hydrocele. Here's a summary of the main points regarding your situation:

Main Points

  • A small hydrocele is typically not associated with pain and usually does not cause issues in the opposite testicle.
  • Testicular pain on the right side could be due to several other reasons.

Explanation

A hydrocele is a fluid-filled sac around a testicle, often painless and harmless. Although you have a hydrocele on the left side, it's unlikely to be the cause of pain on the right side. Testicular pain can arise from various factors, including:

  • Muscle strain: Activities or movements that involve the abdominal area can lead to discomfort.
  • Epididymitis: Inflammation of the epididymis, which can sometimes accompany hydroceles.
  • Testicular torsion: A serious condition, though typically more acute and accompanied by sharp pain and swelling.
  • Inguinal hernia: Could cause discomfort depending on the hernia's location.

Next Steps

  1. Pain Monitoring: Pay attention to the severity, frequency, and any accompanying symptoms (like swelling or changing sensations). Note anything that worsens or improves the pain.

  2. Self-Care: Consider using over-the-counter pain relief methods, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to manage discomfort while you monitor the situation. Ensure you're hydrated and avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities that may aggravate the area.

  3. Follow-Up: If the right testicle pain persists or worsens, it’s essential to seek further evaluation, potentially with a urologist to investigate other underlying causes.

  4. Educate Yourself: Familiarizing yourself with common causes of testicular pain can help in discussions with healthcare professionals should you need further assistance.

Please remember that it's always worthwhile to ask questions about your specific symptoms with a trusted healthcare provider. You're taking the right steps by seeking information and care.

Related Questions

Concerns Regarding Ovarian Cysts

Greetings, everyone. Three months ago, a mass was detected in my ovary, and I opted to have it closely monitored instead of immediately proceeding with surgery. A recent examination has yielded the following results: The cyst measures 25 mm by 21 mm by 22 mm, with an average size of 23.0 mm and a volume of 6.287 cm³. It is identified as an anechoic, unilocular cyst showcasing circumferential vascularity, rated 2 in internal vascularity. Its size appears consistent with the previous assessment. There may be three irregular projections observed, whereas the last evaluation only identified a single papillary projection within the scanning limits, detailed as follows: 1) Base measuring 9.6 mm with a height of 7 mm; 2) Base at 11 mm with a height of 7.3 mm; 3) A smaller projection with a base of 2 mm and a height of 1.3 mm. It should be noted that my medical history includes a salpingo-oophorectomy due to pre-cancerous cells, along with a right salpingectomy. Previously, my right ovary was noted to have a unilocular cyst measuring 22 mm by 12 mm by 19 mm, which also presented a papillary projection (base approximately 8 mm and length 17 mm), again rated at 2 for vascularity. At 44 years of age, I am currently on ryeqo to manage fibroids and endometriosis, a treatment I have been following for the last 16 months. My main concern is understanding why the number of papillary projections has changed, specifically how it went from one to three. Should I be alarmed by these findings? My specialist appointment isn't scheduled for another three weeks, and I would greatly appreciate any insights or advice you could offer. Thank you for your assistance!

FibromyalgiaCrohn's DiseaseRheumatology
Male25-34
4 minutes ago

Feeling Anxious About My Health

I'm a 17-year-old male experiencing distressing symptoms that lead me to suspect I may have a urethral stricture. It often feels as though there’s urine trapped in my urethra, and I feel a constant urge to urinate, which is incredibly frustrating. This situation has left me feeling quite fearful, especially after falling three times on my back while playing soccer. I've been taking SSRIs for about a week now, but I haven't noticed any improvement in my condition. The onset of this issue coincided with my recent use of creatine, after which I experienced an unusual episode where I urinated continuously for nearly a minute upon waking. Now, I find myself worrying that I may have caused some harm to my bladder and am concerned about the possibility of a stricture. At just 17 years old, this situation is profoundly affecting my quality of life, leading to feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts due to the pain I am enduring. A few weeks ago, I took a UTI test, which came back negative, so I can rule that out. I have my suspicions regarding a possible STI, but that seems unlikely since my last sexual encounter was over eight months ago. I recently underwent an ultrasound, which indicated that my bladder wasn't overly full at the time of the test. Although I was required to pee during the procedure, the results showed that my bladder was completely empty. Despite this, I continue to feel a persistent urge, particularly in the urethra, where I also experience pain upon applying pressure to the tip. This discomfort began about a week ago, and it’s incredibly unsettling.

Multiple SclerosisInternal MedicineRheumatology
Male25-34
4 minutes ago

Experiencing Sudden High Heart Rate Episodes

Hello everyone, I find myself in urgent need of support and insights regarding a concerning issue I’m facing. I’m a 20-year-old woman who has recently begun encountering episodes characterized by a significantly elevated heart rate, occurring even while at rest. These episodes seem unpredictable, and during them, I can feel my heartbeat intensely, as if it might burst from my chest. This has occurred four times now, with today’s episode being the most alarming. While attending class, the sensation returned, and my heart rate surpassed that of previous instances. It thumped vigorously and rapidly, leaving me anxious. Thankfully, I’m feeling somewhat better now, but the worry continues to linger. I don’t experience pain in my chest and I’m not having trouble breathing, yet I occasionally feel faint. Additionally, my hands were shaky afterward. I’ve also observed a deterioration in my sleep patterns since these occurrences started. Generally, I sleep soundly through the night, but now I find myself awakening once or twice. To clarify, I do not consume alcohol, take drugs, smoke, or drink caffeine, and I’m not on any medications either. Last week, I consulted with my doctor, and some tests are on the horizon. I had a blood test done (awaiting the results) and a Holter monitor test is in the works. Has anyone else experienced something similar, or perhaps had similar episodes in the past? What did you discover to be the underlying cause? Should I be concerned about the potential severity of this situation? I am genuinely anxious about it.

Thyroid DisordersInternal MedicineEndocrinology
Male25-34
25 minutes ago

What is the Timeline for Dry Gangrene Development on a Tightly Bound Pinky Finger?

A 14-year-old, standing at 142 cm, notes that after a duration of 6 hours and 30 minutes, there appears to be no significant damage to the pinky finger, which has been secured tightly with a rubber band. The individual has not released the pressure on the finger at any point during this time.

ArthritisFibromyalgiaCrohn's Disease
Male25-34
25 minutes ago

Feeling Unwell After My Trip to Thailand

Greetings! I'm a 21-year-old woman, standing at 5 feet 7 inches and weighing 170 pounds. I just returned from a two-week visit to Thailand three days ago. During my flight, I began to experience a really uncomfortable sore throat, which I initially attributed to dehydration. Now that I've been back for three days, my condition seems to be deteriorating. My tonsils are extremely swollen and inflamed, and I'm dealing with a sore throat and a significant amount of mucus. While I don't think I have a fever, I'm feeling aches throughout my body and experiencing chills that mimic feverish symptoms. Considering I've just traveled internationally, should I be worried enough to seek medical help? I'd hate to panic unnecessarily, as I'd prefer to tough it out, but I'm really not feeling well at all.

LupusCrohn's DiseaseInternal Medicine
Male25-34
35 minutes ago