Testicular atrophy

Microscopic view of testicular atrophy (intermediate magnification)

Testicular atrophy is a medical condition in which one or both testicles (or "testes") diminish in size and may be accompanied by reduced testicular function. Testicular atrophy is not related to the temporary shrinkage of the surrounding scrotum, which might occur in response to cold temperature.

As the testicles are involved in testosterone and sperm production, the signs and symptoms of testicular atrophy overlap with those related to infertility or low testosterone levels.[1] In a prepubescent person with testicular atrophy, there may be underdevelopment of secondary sex characteristics (e.g. lack of penis growth).[2] In sexually developed individuals, testicular atrophy may be accompanied with lower sex drive and increased breast tissue.[1] Additional signs and symptoms vary and can depend on the specific cause of the testicle shrinkage. Some causes include age,[1] alcohol use,[3] anabolic steroid use,[4] testosterone replacement therapy,[2][5] direct damage to the testicles,[6][7] and infection.[8][9]

Diagnosis of testicular atrophy includes physical examination of the testicles as well as imaging to measure testicular volume.[7][10] A testosterone blood level is also taken to assess function of the testicles.[1] Additional tests may be ordered depending on the suspected cause(s) of the shrinkage. Treatment and potential reversibility of testicular atrophy are also dependent on the cause.[medical citation needed]

  1. ^ a b c d Ramos L, Patel AS, Ramasamy R (2018). "Testosterone replacement therapy for physician assistants and nurse practitioners". Translational Andrology and Urology. 7 (Suppl 1): S63–S71. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.12.09. PMC 5881199. PMID 29644169.
  2. ^ a b Seal LJ (2013). "Male hypogonadism and testosterone replacement therapy". Medicine. 41 (10): 557–561. doi:10.1016/j.mpmed.2013.07.010.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Karagiannis_2005 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Rahnema CD, Lipshultz LI, Crosnoe LE, Kovac JR, Kim ED (2014). "Anabolic steroid-induced hypogonadism: diagnosis and treatment". Fertility and Sterility. 101 (5): 1271–1279. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.02.002. PMID 24636400.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Cheng_2019 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference DaJusta_2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b Garcia-Roig ML, Kirsch AJ (2015). "The dilemma of adolescent varicocele". Pediatric Surgery International. 31 (7): 617–625. doi:10.1007/s00383-015-3698-8. PMID 25895069. S2CID 2059903.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Selvaraj_2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Fijak_2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Pedersen_2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).