Hydrocele

[jiirtih]

Hi,

I am 22, live in the UK, and I have a hydrocele on my right testicle.

I went to the doctor around a year ago, and he diagnosed the problem as a hydrocele and referred me to a urology specialist for further tests.

The specialist then confirmed the original diagnosis and asked what route of treatment I would like to take, if any.

The hydrocele is slightly smaller than my testicle in size. From a purely vain perspective, I asked for surgery (although I do also feel that the problem affects my playing of sport). The specialist advise that I shouldnt undergo treatment for the hydrocele - just let it be. He said that as the growth is close to the epididymus, there was a chance that my fertility could be affected through surgery - and at my young age (I don't have children) it probably wasn't worth the risk.

That was around 3 months ago. However, since then I have started to experience pain in the area. This is rare, and only occurs for, say, an hour. I remember feeling pain there earlier in my life - at times I would have to lie down for half an hour as walking was difficult. However, for whatever reason, I never mentioned it to anyone at the time and it didn't have a great impact on my life. The pain I am experiencing feels like a soreness - when I touch the area I can make out the epididymus and it is that part which feels the most tender to touch. I can only describe the pain as a dull ache - and it is only on the side where the hydrocele is present.

As a result I am wondering whether to go back to the doctor. Would you advise this or not? I am also worrying about the presence of something more sinister, the lump is definitely a hydrocele as it illuminates under light, but I've heard that a hydrocele can be a sign of something worse - is it possible that I have a sexually transmitted disease or cancer?

Thanks