Testicular Atrophy Symptoms: Effects on Fertility

Testicular atrophy refers to the shrinking of testicles. This should not be confused with the way the scrotum reacts to a change in temperature. Testicular atrophy may be caused by a number of factors but is most commonly the result of viral orchitis or bacterial orchitis.

Testicular Atrophy Symptoms

The most common symptom associated with testicular atrophy is the shrinkage of one or both testicles. This may be accompanied by other symptoms depending on the patient's age. Symptoms can be typically categorized as symptoms before and after puberty.

Testicular Atrophy Symptoms Before Puberty

Boys who have not undergone puberty as yet may fail to develop secondary sexual characteristics, such as:

An increase in penile size
Increased pubic hair growth
Increase in facial hair

Therefore, these characteristics will be absent in such men.

Symptoms After Puberty

Men who are diagnosed with testicular atrophy after puberty may have the following symptoms:

A decrease in sex drive
Infertility or trouble conceiving
Diminished muscle mass
Reduced growth of facial hair
Reduced growth of pubic hair
Testicles that feel softer than normal

Testicular Atrophy Diagnosis

If you notice any of the above symptoms, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. It can be treated but the treatment is largely dependent on identifying the factors causing the atrophy. If caught in its early stages, the condition can be treated and even reversed.

The doctor will conduct a physical examination to look for changes in the size, firmness and texture of the testicles. He will also take a detailed medical and sexual history of the patient to determine whether this could be the result of a side effect of certain medication of a sexually transmitted disease. Some tests that may be conducted to confirm a diagnosis include a testicular ultrasound to identify abnormalities and check blood flow, a blood test to check for infections and a hormone assay test to check for hormonal imbalance