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Can your balls go small?

Age. Over time, the testes will likely begin to shrink. This is a natural process, as the body produces less testosterone or sperm after the peak reproductive years.

medicalnewstoday.com - Testicular atrophy: Causes, diagnosis, and treatment

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Testicular atrophy occurs when the testes shrink. The testes are two male reproductive glands located in the scrotum just behind the penis. These glands are responsible for creating sperm. There are several potential reasons for the testes shrinking, including aging, underlying medical conditions, or infections. In this article, learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of testicular atrophy. What is testicular atrophy? Share on Pinterest Aging is a common cause of testicular atrophy. Testicular atrophy is when the testes shrink. In the case of testicular atrophy, the testes get smaller due to a loss of some of the germ cells and Leydig cells. Germ cells produce sperm while Leydig cells produce testosterone. If the testes shrink, a person could have a lower sperm count, lower testosterone levels, or both, due to the loss of these cells. Testicular atrophy differs from the shrinking that occurs due to cold temperatures. In cooler temperatures, the scrotum retracts or shrinks, pulling the testes closer to the body to maintain warmth. In warmer temperatures, it loosens, allowing the testes to cool.

Causes Possible causes of testicular atrophy include: age

testicular cancer

orchitis

diseases

excessive alcohol usage

hormone imbalance

testicular torsion

varicocele Age Over time, the testes will likely begin to shrink. This is a natural process, as the body produces less testosterone or sperm after the peak reproductive years. Hormone imbalance Hormonal imbalances can sometimes cause testicular atrophy. If the body is driven to produce less testosterone, the testicles may begin to shrink. Some potential causes of a hormone imbalance that suppress testosterone production include: testosterone replacement therapy

taking estrogen

anabolic steroids

certain medications Orchitis Orchitis is an infection that causes pain and inflammation in the testicles. Either a virus or bacterial infection may cause orchitis. Some of the common causes of orchitis include: chlamydia

gonorrhea

intestinal bacteria that travels up the reproductive tract following anal intercourse

urinary tract infections (UTIs)

surgery on the urinary tract

use of a catheter Diseases Certain diseases or infections may increase the risk of testicular atrophy, including mumps and HIV. Treatment may reverse the atrophy, depending on the severity of the shrinkage. Excessive alcohol usage Regularly consuming excessive amounts of alcohol may cause a decrease in testosterone levels. Excessive alcohol consumption can also cause testicular tissue damage, which may result in testicular atrophy. Testicular torsion Testicular torsion happens if a testicle rotates, twisting the spermatic cord that connects the testes to the rest of the reproductive tract. In addition to pain and swelling, the twisted cord causes blood loss to the testicles. If a person does not receive prompt treatment, the loss of oxygen and blood flow could lead to permanent testicular atrophy. Varicocele Varicocele refers to when the veins that run through the scrotum become enlarged. Varicocele typically occurs on the left side only. In many cases, a person may not realize they have varicocele, as it may not cause any symptoms. However, they may notice that the left testicle appears smaller than usual. Testicular cancer In rare cases, testicular cancer can cause testicular atrophy. According to the American Cancer Society , the average age for a diagnosis of testicular cancer is 33. While testicular cancer tends to affect younger men, it is highly treatable. Symptoms Often the most obvious symptom of testicular atrophy is the noticeable shrinkage of one or both testicles. However, depending on the person’s age and underlying conditions, a person may notice some additional symptoms. Those who have not yet gone through puberty may notice a: larger penis size

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lack of facial or pubic hair If testicular atrophy occurs after puberty, additional symptoms may include: soft testicles

lower sex drive

reduced muscle mass

infertility

reduced facial or pubic hair If an underlying medical condition is causing testicular atrophy, a person may also experience: pain in the testicles

inflammation

fever

nausea

A doctor will normally start to diagnose testicular atrophy by asking questions about the individual’s lifestyle and medical history. They will also ask about any medications a person is taking. A doctor will also likely conduct a physical examination of the testicles, looking at the following qualities: size

shape

texture

firmness Finally, a doctor may order some additional tests to help determine what is causing the testicular atrophy. Possible tests include: an ultrasound of the testicles to look at abnormalities and blood flow

blood work to look for signs of infection

swabs or urine tests to test for sexually transmitted infections

hormone level tests

Treatment How a doctor treats testicular atrophy depends on its underlying cause. Possible treatments may include: antibiotics for an infection

lifestyle changes

hormone therapy

surgery, particularly in cases of testicular torsion If a person discovers testicular atrophy early and receives treatment as soon as possible, it might be possible to reverse the shrinkage. Some conditions, such as testicular torsion, require immediate treatment to avoid permanent damage to the testicle. Do natural treatments work? Some people claim there are natural treatments for testicular atrophy. There is no clinical evidence to suggest that any natural remedies can correct testicular atrophy or its underlying causes.

medicalnewstoday.com - Testicular atrophy: Causes, diagnosis, and treatment

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