One testicle hangs lower than the other - what does this indicate?

An attentive attitude to all external signs of the state of the body is the guarantee of normal health throughout life. Often men observe that one testicle is lower than the other. Without knowledge in anatomy and medicine, it is difficult to understand whether this is the norm or pathology. Therefore, this factor can be alarming.

Why is one testicle hanging lower than the other?

There are several reasons why one testicle hangs lower than the other. Most often, this imbalance is expressed in a lower location of the left testicle.

This is due to the fact that the artery of the right testicle begins at the abdominal aorta, and the left one - from the renal artery. This physiological feature provokes the arrangement of organs at different levels.

In addition, the difference is due to the natural processes of the body: thus, the testicles are protected from overheating and injury due to close adhesion to each other.

Diagnostics

In a situation where a man is worried about the asymmetry of the testicles, you should consult a urologist. During the consultation, the doctor conducts a visual examination of the testicles and palpates them. For the correct manipulation, the patient is encouraged to inflate his stomach as much as possible, take a deep breath and hold his breath. These conditions provide the ability to detect pathologies of veins and other changes in the organ.

The next stage is passing diagnostic examinations. Recommended methods:

• Ultrasound diagnostics of the scrotum and abdominal cavity;
• Analysis of blood and urine, which helps to identify the presence of infection, viral activity and inflammatory processes;
• Doppler ultrasonography in standing and lying position.

It is also possible to identify possible violations yourself. To do this, you need to stand up and put your right foot on a stool or chair. Next, the testicles need to be pushed forward and cautiously felt the right one. Then change position by lifting your left leg and repeat the examination.

The normal state of organs is evidenced by:

• Uniform testicular structure;
• Painlessness with preservation of sensitivity;
• The difference in size, if any, does not exceed 7 mm;
• 1 testicle is located below the other, asymmetry is not more than 3 mm.

To improve the accuracy of self-examination, it should be performed after a hot shower or bath. Exposure to water relaxes the testicular muscles, and unusual changes are detected much better. If you have any abnormalities, you should consult a urologist.

Normal or abnormal?

In most cases, the fact that one testicle is lower than the other in men indicates normal health. Asymmetry is inherent in nature to maintain the correct functionality of organs.

However, situations are highlighted when the asymmetric position and dimensions indicate a deviation. Potential pathology symptoms:

• Rapid and sudden change in the ratio of the size and location of paired organs;
• Severe tenderness to touch;
• Pain in the lower abdomen;
• Discomfort in the scrotum;
• Violation of potency.

Asymmetry informs about pathology if:

• The height between the testes is greater than 3 mm. May be a sign of torsion of the spermatic cord. Without treatment, complications are possible: organ necrosis, complete loss of fertility;
• Repositioning relative to each other. Descent of the right testicle or elevation of the left. One of the symptoms of varicocele.

It is extremely important to track the location of the testicles during childhood. During this period, developmental pathologies are possible: cryptorchidism, which means incomplete prolapse of the testicle. The process of complete prolapse is completed by 9 months, initially the organs are located in the abdominal cavity. In case of developmental abnormalities, they may remain in the body or can hardly be seen at the entrance to the canal.

What should a man do and should he be treated?

Normal testicular asymmetry does not require treatment, because such an arrangement is completely normal. It is necessary to start therapy after identifying a specific disease. Most often, the following leads to a significant difference:

• Twist;
• Varicocele;
• Cryptorchidism.

Torsion of the spermatic cord is also called testicular torsion. As the condition progresses rapidly, many go to the doctor in the first hours, which increases the likelihood of a favorable prognosis.

There are 2 methods of treating pathology:

• Outdoor detortion. The patient is placed on his back, and the doctor spins the testicles several times until the normal position of the organ is fully restored;
• Surgery. In the process, the viability of the testicle is determined, the anesthetized tissue is removed. With complete necrosis, the organ is completely excised. If the testicle was saved, then it is sutured to the scrotum and a course of antibiotics is prescribed.

Varicocele is characterized by pathological enlargement of the veins of the spermatic cord. In the later stages of the disease, treatment is possible only with surgical methods. Early diagnosis allows you to dispense with surgery and resort to conservative methods:

• Medicines to improve blood flow, eliminate congestion and strengthen the venous walls;
• Antioxidants to help improve tissue oxygenation;
• Dietary supplements containing zinc and selenium;
• Specialized remedial gymnastics;
• Testicle massage;
• Use of essential oils that have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system;
• Various folk remedies.

Cryptorchidism, in most cases, is eliminated even in childhood, however, sometimes after drug treatment, the disease can recur. For adolescents, drug therapy is completely excluded due to the natural production of testosterone in large quantities.

If the pathology is diagnosed in a teenager or adult man, then the testicle is completely removed. This is due to the fact that by puberty the gland loses its functionality, and its descent into the scrotum only increases the likelihood of malignant tumors.

Indications for surgery in boys 5-9 years old:

• Location of the testicle in the abdominal cavity;
• Twisting and pinching;
• Inguinal hernia;
• Ectopia;
• Decrease in organ mass due to tissue nutritional disorders.

During surgery, the method of laparoscopy is used, which reduces the likelihood of complications and increases the speed of recovery. Timely treatment in boys under 3 years of age in the vast majority of cases preserves sexual function and fertility, and also does not leave negative psychological consequences from surgery.

For men who are worried about asymmetric cells, it is important to understand that in most cases, different positions are completely normal. However, any alarming symptoms are a reason for an early appeal to a medical institution and a timely start of treatment.