Lot of men might have noticed that their testicle might be bigger than the other. It is a common concern, one arising from disease and safety point of view.

The testicle is the male reproductive gland and is homologous to the female ovary. The functions of the testes are to produce both sperm and androgens, primarily testosterone. There are several concerns of people related to the size of Testicle. Below is the brief and answer to several such general notion about it.

Is it common that one Testicle is Bigger Than Another?

It is normally found that the right side testicle tends to be the bigger one and hangs a little lower than the other within the scrotum. This is quite common, but even if one is bigger; it shouldn’t be of completely different shape and should never feel painful. In extreme cases, one should consult the doctor.

How can an individual identify if one testicle is bigger than the other?

The enlarged testicles are more egg-shaped. Else, the normal ones are generally smooth all the way around, with no chunks or protrusions. Neither soft nor hard lumps are normal. It is advisable to visit doctor right away if one find any lumps around the testicles.

How can one identify healthy testicles?

A regular testicular self-exam (TSE) can assist one to comprehend what their testicles feel like and can identify if there is any lumps, pain, tenderness, and changes in one or both testicles. It is advisable that during TSE, scrotum should be loose, not retracted or shrunken.

Below steps should be followed:

• Use fingers and thumb to gently roll around the testicle..
• Along the entire surface of one testicle, one should check for feelings of lumps, protrusions, changes in size, and tender or painful areas.
• Feel along the bottom of the scrotum for an epididymis, a tube that is attached to the testicle that stores sperm.
• Repeat for the other testicle.

It’s recommended to do a TSE at least once a month.

What causes one testicle to be bigger?

The apparent causes of an enlarged testicle include:

Epididymitis

This is inflammation of the epididymis and is commonly caused due to an infection. This is a common symptom of chlamydia, a sexually transmitted infection (STI). One should visit the doctor in case of any abnormal pain, urine burn or discharge from penis along with inflammation.

Epididymal cyst

This is a growth in the epididymis caused by excess fluid. It’s usually harmless and doesn’t need any treatment.

Orchitis

Orchitis is testicle inflammation caused by infections, or the virus that causes mumps. It is recommended to address doctor if one notice any pain, as orchitis can cause damage to your testicles.

Hydrocele

A hydrocele is a fluid buildup around the testicle than can cause swelling and also indicate inflammation. This fluid buildup can be normal as one get older, and usually doesn’t require treatment.

Varicocele

Varicoceles are enlarged veins within your scrotum. They can result in a low sperm count, but commonly no treatment is required if no other symptoms are found.

Testicular torsion

Twisting of the spermatic cord that can occur when the testicle rotates too much. This can slow or even stop blood flow from the body to the testicle. One should visit doctor if the testicular pain is chronic after an injury or pain that goes away and comes back without warning. Hence, immediate medical care is required to save the testicle.

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer occurs when cancerous cells build up in your testicle. One should consult doctor immediately in case of any notice or new growths found around your testicles.

When should I see my doctor?

One should consult doctor in case of below mentioned symptoms:

• Pain or swelling
• Discharge from the penis
• Nausea or vomiting
• Difficulty in urinating
• Pain in related of body, such as your back or lower abdomen
• Breast enlargement or tenderness

In above extremities, doctor will perform a physical examination of the scrotum and testicles to observe if there is any growths, lumps, or other irregularities. If testicular cancer is suspected , one will be asked about past medical history to determine if any family member has a history of testicular cancer.

Other possible tests for diagnosis include – Your doctor may recommend – urine test, blood test, ultrasound, CT scan.

How is this condition can be treated?

The appropriate treatment plan is only required in case of serious underlying condition. The typical plans for these commonly diagnosed conditions are:

Epididymitis

In case of chlamydia, doctor will prescribe an antibiotic, such as azithromycin (Zithromax) or doxycycline (Oracea). The doctor may soak pus to alleviate swelling and infection.

Orchitis

If orchitis is caused by an STI, the doctor will probably prescribe ceftriaxone (Rocephin) and azithromycin (Zithromax) to fight the infection. One can also use ibuprofen (Advil) and a cold pack to relieve pain and swelling.

Testicular torsion

In this case, the doctor may be able to push on the testicle to untwist it. This is called manual detorsion. Surgery is usually necessary to curb torsion from occurring furthermore. The longer one wait after torsion to get treatment, there are higher chance that the testicle will need to be removed.

Testicular cancer

The doctor may surgically remove the testicle if it contains cancerous cells. Then, the testicle can be tested to determine what type of cancer is present. Blood tests can determine if the cancer has spread beyond the testicle. Long-term radiation therapy and chemotherapy can help destroy cancer cells and prevent them from returning.

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