Discomforting Hydrocele - What can i do?

[hydroceleman]

Hello, a few months ago I noticed a lump growing on my left testicle. The lump is irregular shaped, and growing directly on top of my epididymis. You can tell me this has no relationship, but this happened after I decided i would not masturbate for 3 months (just to see if i could), and this was my reward. I saw a GP who was a woman, and she acted like she never felt testicles before, but she sent me to get an ultrasound anyways. During the ultrasound I could tell the guy wasn't putting his machine in the right place, he never once had it pressed right up against where I knew the lump was. It's like part of the epididymis, but a bigger part. His report said there was a "simple cyst" measuring 3mm in size, and a "mild left hydrocele". For the record the size of the total "lump" is about the size of a chick-pea (bigger than a normal pea), but I don't know what the difference between cyst and hydrocele is.

Anyways, let me cut to the chase. This thing is bothersome. I went to a urologist for something unrelated, I was seeking a vasectomy and it just so happened while I was waiting for the appt this thing appeared. The Urologist had my report, and although he rolled it around in his fingers for a good little while, he downplayed the significance of it, and told me it might take a very long time but it should eventually disappear on its own. Well, this thing causes me discomfort, I feel a sort of pressure, sometimes it will be a dull ache for days, and other days I wont notice it at all. How hard could it be just to cut it out?

To be perfectly honest my ejaculations do not feel the same since this thing appeared. My left testicle now feels "dead" while my right one still gives me a little rush. In any case I feel like I have been shuffled through the system without much actual concern for my problem. I would like a second opinion, and would be such a big deal to operate on this seeing as I'm getting a vasectomy anyways. Thanks,

Hydroceleman

[Stephen Liroff, MD]

The sudden change in your hydrocele without trauma or infection is somewhat worrisome. I think that you should get it checked-out and not wait for your vasectomy appointment. It might delay your scheduled vasectomy if you wait for the day of the procedure.
It is not going to explode.
S.A.Liroff, M.D.

[Hydrocelemann]

Thanks for your advice, Doc. I know you doubt some men have sensations from their testes, but it is a true and actual fact. In fact, that's how I noticed something was wrong before the lump was even noticed. I haven't had a vasectomy yet, it is coming up in a few months, this is how we wait in Canada. 3 months from first visit to consultation, 3 more months from consultation to operation.

My 'lump' used to be small and hard, now it is large and soft. I felt something happen inside, and I can only say it blew up. I don't know what else to say. I wish i never stopped masturbating, cause that seemed to keep the tubes clear. For anyone considering it, I would say, don't do it. Keep on wanking if you don't have a significant other cause your balls might get backed up and explode, ha ha.

Well, I don't care if one of my balls falls off at this point, then I could get a brass one for replacement, and when they stop me at the airport I'll just say... no it's not a gun it's just my prosthetic nut! But it does have explosive power!

-Hydroceleman

[Stephen Liroff, MD]

The cystic mass at the upper end of your epididymus would be a spermatocele, These are usually of no consequence unless they are enlarging quickly and causing discomfort or are of such size that they are bothersome. They usually do not go away, but either stabilize or enlarge. They can be easily removed but in so doing can result in sterility from that testes, not an issue for you. Your symptoms related to this cyst do not fit in with any that I have encountered and I doubt that they are of a physical nature. I would be concerned that they might persist after removal. One of the complications of surgery for this is loss of the testicle. Not everything that can be "fixed" is worth the risks.
The sudden increase is in what? If you recently had a vasectomy, then this inflammatory change will most likely resolve on its own. Give it time. Have your urologist take a look at what is happening. Hydroceles (collections of fluid around the testis or in a cysto of the stalk on which the testis dangles) which suddenly increase are often the result of inflamation.
S.A.Liroff, M.D.

[hydroceleman]

OK, an update. My hydrocele has blowed up inside, and now instead of a small hard lump, it's a big smooshy mass. Otherwise it feels the same. Is it going to start filling whatever sac it's inside now? Will I end up with a larger hard lump in a few months? Is it eventually going to blow out the side of my scrotum? Only time will tell!

So I don't have penis cancer or something, but my problem is important to me. The Ultrasound-man's report basically said it was nothing. The GP couldn't find anything even when I put her fingers right on it, and the urologist basically said It's something I just have to live with. Well I'm not satisfied with any of those answers. What do these people get paid for? Mechanics don't turn you away cause your engine only has a 'little' rattle. I know there's something wrong and by gods in this day and age if something can't be done to fix it...

[hydroceleman]

By the way, I am 28 years old