What is Water Hernia? Hydrocele causes, symptoms and treatment

Hydrocele disease

While not a serious disease, hydrocele, which can cause poor outcomes if left untreated, is the excess fluid in the membranes surrounding the testicles. As a result of this situation, the scrotum swells. In this content you will find the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of hydrocele.

What is water hernia (hydrocele)?

Health issues can sometimes be confusing and contain difficult-to-understand terms. Water hernia, called “hydrocele” in the medical world, is a common condition in men and babies. So, what is a water hernia and why does it occur? In this blog post we try to explain what a water hernia is, its symptoms, causes and treatment methods.

A hernia, or hydrocele, is a condition resulting from the accumulation of fluid in the membrane surrounding the testicles. This accumulation of fluid occurs in the sac called the scrotum, in the space between the testicles and the membrane surrounding the structure called the epididymis. Normally a small amount of fluid can be found in this area, but in people with a herniated disc, the fluid buildup increases and can cause significant swelling in the scrotum.

Water hernias are usually painless and can arise spontaneously or grow in size over time. If the fluid buildup is too great, the swelling becomes more prominent and may feel uncomfortable. While this situation usually does not cause a serious health problem, from time to time there may be conditions that require treatment.

Types of Water Hernia (Hydrocele) Disease

Water hernia itself is divided into 2 different types. These are congenital water hernia disease and adult water hernia disease.

1. Congenital (congenital) hydrocele

Water hernia can be acquired later, or it can be congenital. The testis is located in the navel in the mother’s uterus and from the 14th week of pregnancy moves to the lower parts of the abdomen and descends to the scrotum. However, during this descent, the peritoneum descends with the testis to the scrotum in the form of a glove finger.

After birth, this sac closes and takes on a thread-like size. If the sac does not close, intra-abdominal fluid enters through this opening and begins to accumulate around the testis. Swelling that occurs with the accumulation of fluid indicates a hydrocele.

Congenital hydrocele occurs in 6 out of 100 male babies. Congenital hydrocele is studied in 2 types. The first of these is the communicating hydrocele, that is, the associated hydrocele. It is the condition that the peritoneum descending into the scrotum is completely open. The second is the communicating hydrocele. In this type of hydrocele, the abdominal portion of the membrane is abnormally closed and the peritoneal fluid is trapped in the scrotum.

2. Adult hydrocele

This type of hydrocele, which is usually seen in individuals over the age of 40, is seen in 1% of adults. It is seen as a result of trauma, testicular tumors, varicocele surgery, radiotherapy, inflammatory diseases of the testis and its appendages. In addition, unilateral hydrocele is found in approximately 70% of renal transplant recipients.

What are the symptoms of water hernia (hydrocele)?

A hernia is a condition that occurs when fluid builds up in the membrane surrounding the testicles. Water hernias are usually painless and do not pose a serious health problem, but they can cause swelling and discomfort. Water hernia symptoms can differ in men and babies. In this blog post, you will learn about the symptoms of water hernia in detail.

Swelling in the scrotum

The most obvious symptom of a water hernia is swelling in the scrotal area. This swelling is caused by fluid buildup in the space between the testicles and the membrane surrounding the structure called the epididymis. The swelling is usually soft, fluid-filled, and palpable. Swelling from a water hernia can increase over time and can cause discomfort when it reaches large sizes.

Being painless

Water hernia is usually painless. That’s why people don’t feel pain or pain when they notice swelling or realize they have a hernia. However, if the hernia has grown large and is compressing the testicles, mild discomfort may occur, although rarely.

Tenderness in the scrotum

People with a herniated disc may sometimes experience a slight sensation of tenderness or fullness in the scrotal area. This sensitivity may be more pronounced in cases of increased fluid retention.

Discomfort during urination and intercourse

Although water hernia is usually painless, it can cause discomfort during urination or intercourse if it has reached a large size. This may be caused by the water hernia compressing or putting pressure on other tissues in the scrotal area.

Scrotums of a different size

In people with water hernias, an asymmetrical appearance can occur, usually between the two testicles. The scrotum on the herniated side may appear larger than on the other side. The reason for this asymmetry is due to the swelling of the water hernia.

Hydrocele diagnosis

Hydrocele is a condition that occurs when fluid builds up in the membrane surrounding the testicles. This condition is usually painless and not a serious health problem, but it can cause swelling and discomfort. The diagnosis of hydrocele is usually made with the help of a physical examination and some additional tests. In this blog post, we explain in detail how the diagnosis of hydrocele is made and the methods used in the diagnosis process.

Physical examination

The hydrocele diagnosis process usually begins with a physical examination by a doctor. The doctor listens to your complaints and asks questions about the swelling in the scrotal area. He or she will then assess the swelling by carefully examining the testicles and scrotum. Since hydrocele is caused by fluid buildup in the membrane around the testicles, the doctor can usually detect this swelling easily.

Translucent test

During a physical exam, the doctor can sometimes diagnose hydrocele using the fluoroscopy test. In this test, the doctor places a light source behind the scrotum. Hydrocele, a sac filled with fluid, transmits light as it passes behind it, creating a slight sheen in the scrotum. This glow indicates the presence of hydrocele and helps distinguish it from swelling caused by other causes.

Ultrasound (USG)

Imaging tests such as ultrasound (USG) are often used to confirm the diagnosis of a hydrocele. USG is a medical imaging method that shows the internal structure of the scrotum in detail. This test examines the amount of fluid accumulated due to the hydrocele and other structures in the scrotum. In addition, USG can help determine whether the hydrocele is congenital or acquired.

Blood tests

Blood tests are not usually necessary to diagnose hydrocele, but your doctor may order some blood tests to rule out other possible causes. Blood tests can help identify infections or other inflammatory conditions and support the diagnosis of hydrocele.

Water Hernia (Hydrocele) Treatment

A hernia, or hydrocele, is a condition that occurs when fluid builds up in the membrane surrounding the testicles. Water hernias are usually painless and do not pose a serious health problem, but they can cause swelling and discomfort. Hernia treatment is usually determined by the degree of swelling and the degree of discomfort when treatment is necessary. In this blog post, we explain water hernia treatment methods and how treatment options are determined.

Wait and see approach

Water hernias are usually painless and harmless in infants and some adults. In this situation, doctors often prefer a wait-and-see attitude. This method takes into account the possibility of spontaneous recovery from water hernia. If a water hernia occurs in babies, it often goes away on its own over time and does not need to be treated. However, if the hernia is bothersome or continues to grow in size, treatment options are considered.

Needle aspiration (drainage)

If the hernia has grown large and is causing discomfort, doctors may opt for a procedure called needle aspiration to reduce swelling. In this procedure, the doctor drains the fluid by inserting a thin needle into the swelling area. However, needle aspiration is a temporary solution that allows fluid to build up again and other methods may need to be considered to permanently treat a water hernia.

Hydrocele Surgery

Hydrocele surgery is the most effective treatment for the permanent correction of water hernia. This surgery is a procedure that usually requires surgery. Hydrocele surgery can be performed by completely removing the sac of fluid collection or by performing drainage. Surgery is usually a simple procedure and in most cases the risk of complications is low. The recovery period after surgery is usually quick and patients can usually resume their daily activities in a short time.

Laparoscopic surgery

In hydrocele surgery, laparoscopic surgery may be preferred in some cases in addition to traditional open surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is a method performed with smaller incisions and using a special endoscopic instrument called the laparoscope. This method may be less invasive for patients and may require less recovery time.

How is water hernia diagnosed?

The most important factor in understanding water hernia i.e. Hydrocele disease is painless swelling. Swelling and strokes constantly occur in the testicular areas. If you see such a problem in yourself, you may also have a hydrocele. We recommend that you consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Who Gets Water Hernia Disease?

Water hernia occurs in infants and adults. However, the level of the disease increases with age. Water hernia swelling in infants and water hernia swelling in adults are different from each other.

Does water hernia (hydrocele) go away on its own?

Water hernia is congenital. Many parents wonder if this disease will pass on its own. There is no definitive answer to this question. Congenital water hernia may go away on its own up to the age of 1-2 years, but this is not always the case. If during this period there is no sign of improvement in the disease, a surgical intervention is performed.

Is hydrocele dangerous?

Although it is a congenital disease that generally resolves after 1-2 years, it sometimes requires surgical intervention. Although it is not seen as a very dangerous disease, the treatment process should not be interrupted.

Does water hernia prevent circumcision?

Water hernia poses a danger with circumcision because it is a condition that occurs in the testicular area. However, the circumcision of the child with a water hernia should be postponed until the area heals and the swelling subsides. The final decision should be made by a specialist in this field.