Testicular Atrophy

Testicular atrophy is a medical condition in which the male reproductive organs (the testes, which in humans are located in the scrotum) diminish in size and may be accompanied by loss of function.

Testicular atrophy may be brought on by surgical repairs to certain types of hernias.

Causes

Research has found testicular atrophy to be caused by scrotal trauma, inguinal hernia repair (rarely, and more often in very young children), anabolic steroid use, and oestrogen therapy, varicocele, and ischaemia (most often secondary to testicular torsion).

Phthalate esters, and Zika virus infection have been found to cause testicular atrophy in animals.

See also

• Orchitis
• Testicular nubbin