Hydrocele

The main symptom of a hydrocele is swelling that develops rapidly on one or both sides of the scrotum, giving it the appearance of a full water balloon. 

Other symptoms you may notice include:

• swelling that increases and decreases in size throughout the day

• discomfort when sitting or walking, if the swelling is particularly large

• pain as the swelling increases in size

• a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum

Most hydroceles are present at birth, with around 5% of newborn boys having the condition. A hydrocele at birth is usually a ‘communicating hydrocele’. This is where fluid from the abdomen enters the scrotum through a channel that’s present in fetal development, but typically closes off just before or shortly after birth. Most often, the fluid is gradually absorbed as the baby grows, and the hydrocele is gone by the age of 1. 

Sometimes older children and adults can develop a hydrocele following: 

• injury of the scrotum

• scrotal inflammation

• infections

• tumours

At Welbeck, our specialist urologists will diagnose a hydrocele during your initial consultation by performing a physical examination. They’ll ask you about your medical history, when the swelling appeared, if it changes over time, and if you are experiencing any other symptoms. If necessary, an ultrasound may be carried out.

Hydroceles are not usually preventable, as they are often present from birth. You can reduce your risk of developing one as an adult by protecting the scrotum from injury (during sport, for example) and seeking prompt help for any infection of the scrotum.

In most cases, hydroceles are harmless and do not cause any further issues. 

Rare complications of a hydrocele include: 

• infection, where pus may accumulate in the sac

• blood accumulating in the sac 

• rupturing of the sac

• shrinking or degrading of the testicle (testicular atrophy)

• infertility, if damage affects sperm production

In most cases, a hydrocele won’t need treatment, especially if it’s small. Larger hydroceles can be repaired with a very straightforward day case procedure, at our dedicated Men’s Health centre. 

Under a local anaesthetic, a small incision is made in the scrotum and the fluid is drained. The scrotum is then closed with dissolvable stitches, and a dressing applied over the wound. You can usually return to regular activities a few days after hydrocele repair.

At Welbeck, our urologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.