Q: Which specialist should I consult for symptoms of testicular torsion?
A: You need to consult a urologist or a general surgeon or a pediatric surgeon.
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Q: Is testicular torsion a common condition?
A: The incidence of testicular torsion is approximately 1:1500 to 1:4000 in men before 25 years of age. It is most common between 12 and 18 years of age.
Interestingly, it is about four times more common than testicular cancer, but hardly ever discussed.
Q: Will testicular torsion invariably lead to infertility?
A: Not always. If one testis undergoes torsion and dies, the regulating hormones in the anterior pituitary stimulate the remaining healthy testis to secrete more testosterone and form more sperm. In that case, the man remains fertile.
In certain cases (about 1/3rd of cases), the sperm counts remain low following torsion, increasing the risk of infertility. The reason why this happens is not fully understood.
