Testicular atrophy

Definition - what is testicular atrophy?

In general, the term atrophy describes the regression of a tissue. In the case of testicular atrophy, it is also referred to as a “shrunken testicle”. The man's testicles or possibly just one testicle are greatly reduced in size.

causes

The causes for a shrinkage of the testicles can be many. However, the original cause of testicular atrophy is usually a testosterone deficiency. Testosterone is a steroid hormone that takes on building functions in the body. In men, this includes, for example, the growth of the genitals, including the testicles.
The testosterone deficiency can have various causes. On the one hand, there may be a genetic defect, for example in Klinefelter's syndrome, a chromosome mutation that disrupts testosterone synthesis.

For more information on Klinefelter Syndrome, we recommend our website: Klinefelter Syndrome

External factors can also play a role, such as injury, inflammation, or poor blood flow to the testicle.

Read more about the symptoms of one here Inflammation of the testicles.

Steroids

Another reason is the intake of steroids, so-called anabolic steroids, such as those used in weight training. This leads to a disruption of the body's own control cycle of testosterone production, which mainly takes place in the testes. The body registers the presence of the injected testosterone and signals the testes to stop production, which in turn causes the organ to shrink.

Cirrhosis of the liver

If the liver is damaged, this leads to a hormonal imbalance. The man’s hormone production shifts in favor of the female sex hormone estrogen. There is a reduction in the anabolic and growth-promoting effects of testosterone. This can also result in testicular atrophy and even the development of female sexual characteristics such as breast growth.

Learn more about the development and symptoms of Cirrhosis of the liver.

Concomitant symptoms

The accompanying symptoms depend on the underlying cause. If, for example, Klinefelter syndrome is present, this is associated with numerous physical manifestations. Those affected have little body hair, female breast growth and an above-average height.

Read more on this topic at: Klinefelter Syndrome

In the case of cirrhosis of the liver, the spectrum of symptoms is broad. In addition to the external phenomena, tiredness, listlessness and reduced performance can occur.

Testosterone deficiency in general is accompanied by many other symptoms in addition to testicular atrophy. Mention should be made of a loss of libido, tiredness, reduced body hair or also reduced bone density, which can increase the risk of fractures.

In the main article too Testosterone deficiency, you will find other symptoms associated with that.

Infertility

The testicles are the place where sperm are produced. If the volume of the testicles falls below a certain value, the production of functional sperm is no longer possible. If healthy sperm are not synthesized by either testicle, the man is unable to conceive.

diagnosis

Various features of the testicles can be examined when making the diagnosis. At first, testicular atrophy can be felt externally. It is also possible to measure the testicles. Part of the physical examination can also be the examination of the rest of the body, during which signs of possible liver cirrhosis can be detected.

In the next step, the production of male sex hormones and sperm can be examined. This is done using a blood analysis or microscopic examination of the male ejaculate.

therapy

Therapy depends on the cause. For example, if an inflammation or a circulatory disorder leads to testicular atrophy, this can be treated, for example, with antibiotic therapy or a surgical procedure. The testicle may recover depending on the progression and severity of the inflammation or insufficient blood supply. However, if a part of the tissue is already so undersupplied that tissue death has occurred, this process cannot be reversed. The loss of hormone-producing tissue can be counteracted by external supply of these hormones.

Sperm synthesis cannot be influenced from outside. If the testicular tissue regenerates completely, sperm production can take place again.

In the case of anabolic steroids, the testicular tissue can recover after that.

forecast

How long does it take to heal?

If healing is possible, the duration depends on the severity of the testicular atrophy and the cause of it. For example, if you have cirrhosis of the liver, it can take a long time to heal. After a certain stage, it can only be treated with a liver transplant. The process can be very tedious and with it the regression of the testicular atrophy.

After stopping anabolic steroids, it can also take several weeks or months for the body's regulatory mechanisms to normalize.

Is testicular atrophy reversible?

Whether or not testicular atrophy is reversible depends on the underlying cause. For example, if there is a genetic defect such as Klinefelter's syndrome, testicular atrophy is not reversible.

For more information on this topic, we recommend our page on: Klinefelter Syndrome

If a testosterone deficiency is the cause of the testicular atrophy, the testicular volume can return to normal once the hormone balance is correct.
If the testicular tissue is damaged by inflammation or a circulatory disorder, for example, the possibility of reversibility depends on the extent of the damage. However, if the testicular tissue was already so undersupplied that atrophy resulted, it can be assumed that some of the tissue-forming cells have died. This process is usually irreversible.

Complication after inguinal hernia surgery

An inguinal hernia is a protrusion of the abdominal wall. The abdominal wall has gaps in some places through which contents from the abdominal cavity, for example parts of the intestine, can pass. This entrapment may have to be treated surgically in order to maintain an intact blood supply. A complication of this operation is the injury to the blood vessels that supply the testicles. If the testicle is subsequently insufficiently supplied with blood, this can result in testicular atrophy.

You can find more information about the cause and complications here Inguinal hernia.