Are you having severe pain in your testicles? It could be Testicular Torsion! Let's talk about it.

What if you suddenly experience severe pain in one of your testicles , the “ball” in your scrotum? Or if the pain is accompanied by swelling? This is not something to play with. This could be a medical emergency, and we call it Testicular Torsion. Simply put, the blood vessel that carries blood to the testicle has twisted, cutting off blood flow.

How serious is this?

Okay, now you're probably wondering how serious this (Testicular Torsion) is. This is a very serious, emergency medical condition. Do you know what? What I meant was that the tube that carries blood to the testicle, the spermatic cord, gets twisted. What happens is that the blood supply to the testicle is completely cut off. It's like a water pipe that gets stuck in the middle and the water stops flowing.

So, if not treated immediately, the testicle can die. Yes, you can even lose it. That's why this is so urgent.

According to doctors, this pain begins with:

• If treatment is received within 4 to 6 hours , the testicle can often be saved.
• If you're even 12 hours late, your chances of survival are cut in half.
• If 24 hours pass, the chance of saving the testicle is very low, about 10%.

So, you can imagine how quickly you need to get to the hospital. It's not a good idea to be even a minute late.

How common is this condition?

Testicular torsion is actually not that common. It affects about 1 in 4,000 boys under the age of 25. Most of the time, it happens suddenly, without any obvious reason.

It usually affects one testicle, although it is said that the left testicle is slightly more likely to develop this condition than the right.

Can both testicles twist at the same time? Yes, it can happen. But it is very rare. About 2% of such cases affect both testicles at the same time.

What are the symptoms?

Okay, let's now see what symptoms can occur in this condition (Testicular Torsion).

The main thing is that you suddenly experience a sharp, unbearable pain in one of your testicles. This pain can occur at any time, whether you are awake, sleeping, standing, sitting, or doing any activity.

There are other symptoms:

• A painful swelling on one side of your scrotum.
• It feels like a knot in the testicles.
• One testicle is positioned slightly higher than the other.
• A change in the color of the egg sac (it can be red, purple, brown, or black).
• Nausea and vomiting .
• You may get a stomach ache .
• Needing to urinate more often than usual.
• You may get a fever .

The most important thing is that if you suddenly experience pain or discomfort in a testicle, even if you have no other symptoms, see a doctor immediately. Don't ignore this as it could be a sign of a medical emergency.

How does this pain feel?

Many people experience this (Testicular Torsion) pain as a sudden, severe pain in the testicle. Sometimes this pain can spread to the abdomen, or it can feel like vomiting. Some people are so painful that they can't even walk.

For others, this pain may be intermittent, coming and going, but it should not be ignored if it occurs.

Why is this happening? What are the reasons?

Now you may be wondering why this happens. Testicular torsion often occurs in people with a condition called a Bell Clapper Deformity . Think about it, normally our testicles are attached to the scrotum from the inside, so they don't twist easily. But in people with this Bell Clapper Deformity, the testicles are not attached firmly. They hang freely inside the scrotum, like the tongue of a bell. So because they hang freely like this, they can easily twist. This is the main reason.

Additionally, this condition can also occur if you accidentally injure your testicles or scrotum.

But remember one thing, physical activity, such as exercising, jumping, or twisting, does not cause this (Testicular Torsion). It can happen when you are exercising, but the exercise is not the cause. It is just something that happens at that time by chance.

Who can grow this much?

Testicular torsion can occur in anyone with testicles. However, 65% of such cases are reported in young children between the ages of 12 and 18. This means that it is most common in young people.

Also, if you have had testicular torsion once before, there is a small chance that it will happen again. If someone in your family, such as your father or brother, has had this condition, your risk of developing it is slightly higher.

What happens if left untreated?

As we've discussed before, this can have serious consequences if not treated immediately.

• Permanent damage to the testicle: A testicle can only survive for about six hours without a blood supply. After that, the testicle begins to die. If that happens, surgery will be required to remove the dead testicle.
• Male Infertility : Studies have shown that one in three men with Testicular Torsion have low sperm count. If your sperm count is low, it can affect your ability to father a child.

That's why we say don't take this for granted, see a doctor immediately.

How do you recognize this?

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should go to the hospital right away. There, a doctor will ask about your symptoms, take your medical history, and examine your testicles. In most cases, they will quickly refer you to a urologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary and reproductive systems.Urologist )` refers to.

To confirm whether this is (Testicular Torsion) or not, the doctor will order an ultrasound scan of the testicles (Scrotal Ultrasound). This is a painless, quick test. This can check exactly whether blood is flowing inside the testicles or not. If the blood flow is stopped, it could be (Testicular Torsion).

Can I check to see if I have this myself?

This is a question that many people ask. However, only a doctor can accurately diagnose (Testicular Torsion). If you have severe testicular pain, it is best to see a doctor immediately rather than self-diagnose. That is the best thing to do.

What are the treatments?

The only treatment for Testicular Torsion is surgery. This surgery is called an Orchiopexy. In this procedure, the surgeon will reposition your twisted testicle and restore blood supply to the area. Then, the testicle will be stitched inside the scrotum to prevent it from twisting again.

Most of the time, this surgery is done through the scrotum. However, sometimes, a small incision may need to be made through the groin . If you have the ``Bell Clapper Deformity'' that I mentioned earlier, which usually affects both testicles, the surgeon will also attach the other unaffected testicle to the inside of the scrotum in the same way, to prevent it from twisting in the future.

Will Testicular Torsion get better on its own?

No, Testicular Torsion will never get better on its own. If you don't get surgery within six hours, the affected testicle will most likely have to be removed.

Newborn babies often lose a testicle if they develop testicular torsion. In this case, the surgeon will remove the dead testicle and fix the other testicle so that it does not twist later.

How are you after the surgery?

The first few days after this surgery may be a little painful. You may also have some swelling or bruising in your scrotum or groin for about a week.

After about a week, the pain will have subsided significantly, and you will be able to return to normal activities, such as your job or school.

But,You should avoid lifting weights or engaging in strenuous activities (such as sports) for at least three to four weeks. Talk to your doctor before resuming any activity.

Remember, your body is different from others, so your recovery time may vary. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully about how to manage pain and discomfort.

Can this be prevented?

The only way to prevent testicular torsion is to have surgery. Many people don't know they can develop this condition until it happens. Surgery can prevent your other testicle from twisting in this way as well.

What happens if (Testicular Torsion) occurs?

If you get treatment right away, within six hours, you can recover well from this condition. In most cases, the testicle can be saved.

However, if the testicle is deprived of blood flow for more than six hours, it can lose its function. In that case, a surgeon will have to remove it.

What happens if you ignore Testicular Torsion?

If you don't get treatment right away, within six hours, Testicular Torsion can cause permanent damage to your testicle (infarction). If you don't get treatment in time, a surgeon will remove the damaged testicle.

Also, testicular torsion can affect your ability to have children (your fertility).

When should I see my doctor?

After having surgery to correct testicular torsion, schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor. They will check your incisions and see how well you are healing.

If you experience any of these symptoms after surgery, call your doctor immediately:

• If your cuts are bleeding excessively.
• If you have a fever .
• If the pain increases .
• Swelling increases.Names.

When should I go to the emergency room?

Testicular Torsion is a medical emergency. If you have any of these symptoms, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. If you don't get treatment for more than six hours, Testicular Torsion can cause permanent damage to your testicles.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

When you see your doctor, it's a good idea to ask these questions:

• How do you know I have Testicular Torsion?
• Can my testicle be saved?
• Do I have what is called ``Bell Clapper Deformity''?
• If I lose my testicle, will I still be able to have children?
• Can my other testicle also develop testicular torsion?

Finally, the most important thing you need to remember!

Testicular torsion is a condition that needs immediate treatment to prevent permanent damage to the testicle. You may think that lying down, resting, or applying ice will help ease the pain.

But, remember, severe pain in your testicles is your body telling you that something is wrong. Seeking medical advice as soon as possible is the only way to get the best outcome. So, if you experience any of these symptoms, please don't ignore them. Go to the hospital immediately. Your health is very important to you!