Patient's question:
Hello doctor, I would like to ask how serious the harm of hydrocele is. My son had surgery for it when he was 5 years old, but it recurred on the left side one year after the surgery. It was originally on the right side. Now I am very worried and dare not have surgery again. Could you please tell me what are the harms of hydrocele and whether surgical treatment is necessary?Doctor's answer:
Hydrocele does not affect male fertility, but severe hydrocele can cause the penis to retract into the scrotal skin. If left untreated for a long time, hydrocele can compress the testis, affecting sperm production. Furthermore, the encapsulation of the fluid prevents the testis from dissipating heat properly, which may ultimately impair fertility. It can also cause psychological burden for the patient and their partner, potentially affecting sexual life. Additionally, long-term compression of the testis by the fluid can lead to poor local blood circulation, resulting in testicular dysfunction and subsequently impacting fertility.