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Scrotal cysts are often painless lumps on the scrotum that can cause swelling and a feeling of heaviness. They are usually benign and can be treated with drainage or surgery in severe cases. Symptoms can include nausea and changes in appearance. Men are advised to seek medical advice to distinguish between benign growths and tumors.
The most common symptoms of scrotal cysts are lumps on the scrotum that can be seen or felt. These can be painful, but in many cases they also go unnoticed until discovered and cause no discomfort. However, swelling and a feeling of heaviness in the testicles are common, and some can even cause nausea. In nearly all cases, scrotal cysts are “benign,” meaning they aren’t harmful in and of themselves. Smaller varieties often disappear on their own, although larger growths may need to be drained, usually to relieve pressure and pain. In severe cases the cysts may need to be removed surgically, but this is an extreme treatment most often reserved for situations where the growth is putting pressure on the nerves or is recurring, meaning past drains have not effectively resolved the problem.
Changes in appearance
The scrotum is generally understood to be the fleshy area just below the penis that houses the testicles. One of the first things men usually notice when they have this type of cyst is a lump or small lump somewhere within the folds of the scrotal tissue. These can vary enormously in size, from as small as a pinhead to as large as a marble or even larger. Many types of cysts grow if left untreated, so small lumps that didn’t seem consequential one day could be much larger and more concerning the next day.
Cysts can occur almost anywhere on the body, and in most cases, there’s nothing particularly special about those that occur on or near the scrotum. They are sacs of tissue that fill with some type of fluid, usually water or pus. They can occur for a number of different reasons, most often a blocked duct or a swollen hair follicle, although they are rarely a sign of serious health complications. However, noticing them can be unsettling.
Ache
Not all cysts are painful, and many men report having no idea they have one until they feel it. Unless the cyst presses against nerve tissue, it may not cause any pain or tenderness. However, sometimes a dull or radiating pain is felt in the lower back, abdomen, or groin, depending on where the cyst is and its size. The growth can agitate and cause inflammation of the testicle, scrotum, or epididymis, which is a narrow, coiled tube that connects each testicle to the vas deferens. The vas deferens is what carries sperm from the testicles to the penis for ejaculation.
Swelling and traction
Scrotum swelling is another symptom. Some of the more common types of scrotal cysts are called spermatoceles and are typically formed from excessive fluid accumulation in the epididymis. The excess fluid, which often contains dead sperm, can cause swelling and soreness, particularly during arousal.
Heaviness or a feeling of testicular “pulling” is also frequently reported. In most cases this is caused by the added weight of the cyst. These symptoms are more likely to occur if there is also swelling in the testicles or scrotum. Sometimes the added weight of the fluid and skin surrounding the cyst, called the capsule, is also evident.
Nausea
In rarer cases, the pain from the cyst can lead to nausea. This is similar to the nausea experienced from blunt trauma to the testicles. The spermatic plexus is the primary nerve that connects each testicle to the spine and travels through the abdomen. Pain felt in the testicles often travels to the abdomen, causing nausea and sometimes even vomiting. It’s important to note here that it’s not exactly the cyst itself that’s causing this reaction, but rather the pressure it’s putting on nearby nerves.
Treatment options
Men who fear they have a scrotal cyst are usually encouraged to visit a healthcare professional for an exam. While cysts aren’t usually harmful, it can be difficult for inexperienced people to distinguish between benign growths such as cysts and more problematic growths such as tumors. Smaller cysts that aren’t causing any pain may not require any treatment, and patients may be advised to take a sort of “wait and see” approach. During this waiting phase men are often advised to keep the area very clean and to trim all hair to prevent bacteria or other debris from collecting around the hair follicle sites.
Growths that are larger or causing discomfort are typically drained, often with a specialized syringe, which will fix the problem in most cases. People suffering from recurring cysts might opt for surgical removal. This is much more invasive, making it rarer and usually only recommended in serious situations. However, permanent removal is often more effective than other treatment methods, at least in the long run.
