I feel my testicles are getting smaller

Orchiatrophy refers to a disease in which the male testicles shrink and become flaccid. It is also called "sperm atrophy". It is characterized by the shrinkage of one or both testicles. The male testicles are small and soft. This disease can cause infertility in most cases. It is often secondary to mumps or trauma, and some are congenital. Treatment should be directed at the original disease.

Causes and common diseases of testicular atrophy

1. Symptoms

Varicose veins account for about 30% to 40% of male infertility. Varicose veins can sometimes lead to testicular atrophy. The testicles of men with more severe varicose veins infertility are generally shrunken. The reasons for testicular atrophy caused by varicose veins may be the blockage of the varicose veins, higher than normal scrotal temperature, decreased testicular function and toxins.

2. Infection

Infection is the main cause of testicular atrophy, the most common of which is viral orchitis caused by mumps. If it occurs after puberty, orchitis with high complications of mumps can cause more severe local inflammatory sensations, with excessive fluid accumulation in the cervical cavity, i.e., subacute hydrocele. Smallpox, chickenpox, measles, influenza and other similar infections can sometimes also cause secondary orchitis.

Viral infection is the most common cause of testicular atrophy in children and adolescents, especially the influenza mumps virus. When the male testicles are infected by this virus, the spermatogenic tissue in the male testicles will be severely damaged, the male testicles will become smaller in size, and the color will become loose.

3. Damage

Collision damage to the scrotum or testicles can cause scrotal abscesses or testicular lacerations. Even if the injury heals, the testicles will suffer from a lack of blood supply for a long time, resulting in shrinkage.

4. Inflammation

Moderate to severe orchitis causes testicular enlargement and pain that can last for several days. The invasion of bacteria causes the male testicular tissue to be damaged and shrink.

5. Radioactive Elements

Anyone who has long-term contact with radioactive elements, such as long-term employment of X-rays and radionuclides, may develop testicular atrophy if they do not take good care of themselves.

6. Endocrine diseases

The male testicle is an endocrine organ that mainly produces androgen. Diseases in many endocrine organs in the body, such as the pituitary gland, adrenaline, and hypothalamus, can affect the function of the testicles and cause testicular atrophy.

7. Treatment medication

Long-term use of some therapeutic drugs with toxic side effects, such as arsenic, or repeated use of anti-androgen estrogen drugs, such as ethidol, can cause testicular atrophy.