What Is Testicular Torsion?

Testicular torsion is a medical emergency, requiring immediate care by physicians. Testicular torsion happens when the spermatic cord twists, essentially cutting off the affected testicle's blood supply. This medical condition is more common among young males, especially teenagers and those under 30 years of age. The condition is also more common in northern countries, with very cold winters. If the blood is cut to the testicle for more than a few hours, there is a very significant chance that the testicle will lose all function and will have be surgically removed.

Testicular torsion is a very painful condition and people will often seek medical attention due to the extreme and debilitating pain that they feel around their testicles and lower abdomen. In all cases, testicular torsion must be treated within 24 hours in order to save the testicle. It is not possible to treat this condition at home, so a trip to the hospital is unavoidable. In some cases, it may be possible to manually untwist the spermatic cord, but more often surgery will be required.