While casually browsing my phone and avoiding my responsibilities, I stumbled upon a post in a local parents’ Facebook group that caught my attention. Usually, these posts are more about complaints disguised as helpful hints or random updates, but occasionally they provide genuinely useful information. Sometimes they mention local sales, missing pets, or even school illnesses that aren’t COVID-19 related. Parents often share their children’s health updates, whether it’s to seek advice or to warn others.
The post I read said something along the lines of: “FYI: If your child is complaining about testicular pain, take him to the doctor immediately. My son had an emergency surgery due to testicular torsion, and his testicle could have died had we waited any longer.”
Wait, what? Now I have to add testicular health to my list of worries? It seems the parenting books I’ve read don’t cover “What to Do When Your Child’s Testicles Twist.” Testicular torsion occurs when a testicle rotates and twists the spermatic cord it’s attached to, blocking blood flow and causing severe pain and swelling in the groin area, according to The Mayo Clinic.
The American Urological Association states that about 1 in 4,000 individuals with testicles will experience this condition. Some may even have a genetic predisposition, known as “bell clapper deformity,” where the testes can move freely like a bell clapper. Charming imagery, right? Testicular torsion most frequently affects boys aged 12 to 18 and can run in families.
As explained by The Mayo Clinic, torsion can happen after vigorous activity, during sleep, or even while simply relaxing. It can also be triggered by cold temperatures or rapid growth during puberty. Seriously, can we catch a break with the male anatomy?
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, frequent urination, or a testicle that appears higher or at an unusual angle. Although I might not sympathize with testicles (having dealt with my own bodily quirks), I certainly wouldn’t want to risk my child’s reproductive health.
If immediate medical attention isn’t sought for sudden or severe scrotal pain, there’s a risk of the testicle being permanently damaged or needing removal. Sometimes the pain may seem to resolve itself when the testicle untwists, but surgery is still necessary to address the underlying issue and prevent future occurrences. The twisting can range from 180 to 720 degrees; more twists mean faster damage. If surgery occurs within 4-6 hours, there’s a 90% chance the testicle will survive, but that drops to 50% after 12 hours and only 10% after 24 hours.
During surgery, the doctor will cut into the scrotum, untwist the testicle, and stitch it to the inner scrotum to prevent future torsions. The procedure is reportedly less painful than the torsion itself. Recovery is generally straightforward, and after a few weeks of limited activity (including abstaining from masturbation and sex), normal life can resume, but always consult with a doctor first.
While this is a serious issue, it’s not like the scrotum is going through childbirth or monthly menstruation. We should reconsider the phrase “it takes balls” to do something daring when balls can’t even manage to stay untangled. Vagin*as are undoubtedly more resilient and deserve more recognition, but I digress.
If your child is experiencing scrotal pain, seek medical advice immediately.
For more insights, check out our related blog post on testicular torsion and learn about the importance of timely medical care.