Hydrocele
A hydrocele is a collection of fluid in the sac around a testicle, making one side of the scrotum swell. It is common in newborn boys, where it often settles on its own, and in adult men, where it usually does not. A hydrocele is generally painless and harmless, but it can grow large enough to be uncomfortable or embarrassing, and any swelling of the scrotum needs examining once to rule out a hernia or a problem with the testicle itself.
Find a Urology SpecialistMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Painless swelling of one or both sides of the scrotum
- A feeling of heaviness or dragging in the scrotum
- Swelling that is smaller in the morning and larger by evening
- Discomfort when walking or sitting as it grows
- In babies, a scrotum that looks full or swollen
When to See a Doctor
See a urologist for any new lump or swelling in the scrotum so it can be examined and scanned: a hydrocele is usually harmless, but a testicular tumour can also cause one. Go to an emergency department straight away for sudden, severe pain in a testicle, which can be torsion (a twisted testicle) and needs surgery within hours. In a baby boy, see a doctor if the swelling is still present after the first birthday or changes size through the day, which can mean a hernia.
Treatment options
- Observation for small, painless hydroceles, and for most in babies under one year
- Ultrasound scan of the scrotum to confirm the diagnosis
- Hydrocelectomy: surgical repair through a small cut in the scrotum, usually as a day case
- In children, repair through the groin, as for a hernia
What it costs on Mezo
Published cash prices for the operations used to treat this condition. Your own quote follows an examination.
Common Questions
Will a hydrocele go away on its own?
In babies, most disappear in the first year. In adults they rarely go away and tend to grow slowly. A small hydrocele that causes no trouble does not need surgery.
Should I have my hydrocele drained with a needle?
Draining the fluid with a needle gives short relief, but the fluid usually comes back, and each attempt carries a risk of infection. Surgery is the treatment that lasts.
Is a hydrocele the same as a hernia?
No, but they can look alike and sometimes occur together. A hernia is bowel or fat coming down through the groin; it often goes back in when you lie down and gets bigger when you cough. A hydrocele is fluid. An examination and a scan tell them apart.
Does a hydrocele affect fertility?
A simple hydrocele does not usually affect fertility or erections. The testicle should still be checked on a scan, because the swelling can hide other problems.
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