Patient's question:
Recently, my testicles became hard with a protrusion and pain, but the pain subsided when they softened. The right testicle felt tight and painful, and my sexual function improved slightly. My semen was slightly yellow during this period. It has since improved, but today there is some pain again. What could be the reason?Doctor's answer:
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis suggests the orchitis is caused by liver and gallbladder damp-heat. The liver meridian (Jueyin Liver Meridian) runs along the sides of the body and connects to the genital area. The damp-heat from the liver and gallbladder flows down along this meridian, stimulating the testicles to become inflamed, leading to symptoms such as hardness, swelling, pain, and discomfort. The stagnation of damp-heat causes the semen to turn yellow. Chinese herbal medicine can help stabilize the symptoms. Over-the-counter herbal formulas like Longdan Xiegan Wan (Drachextractus Rhizoma Gentianae) can be switched to Ermiao Wan (Bupleurum and Coix Seed) for conditioning. These herbs clear heat, dry dampness, regulate qi, and resolve turbidity. During medication, avoid spicy and extremely cold foods. For patients with orchitis, timely treatment can reduce the recurrence. If left untreated, it may affect overall health.