AboutStephen W. Leslie, MD Expertise Questions concerning erectile dysfunction, kidney stones and prostate disorders including prostate cancer. I have a special interest in kidney stone disease prevention.
Experience Full time practicing urologist with 20 years experience. Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology at the Medical College of Ohio. Editor in Chief of eMedicine Urology internet textbook. Author of only book written for patients by a urologist on the subject of kidney stones "The Kidney Stones Handbook". Inventor of the "Parachute" and "Escape" kidney stone baskets and the "Calculus" stone prevention analysis computer program.
Organizations American Urological Association, Ohio State Medical Association, Sexual Medicine Society
Publications Men's Health, Journal of Urology, Urology, Healthwatch Magazine, Emergency Medicine Monthly, eMedicine, "The Kidney Stones Handbook", and numerous articles in various newspapers. He is also the editor of the Urology Board Review by McGraw-Hill used by urologists to study for their Board Certification Examinations.
Education/Credentials Graduate of New York Medical College with residencies completed at Metropolitan Hospital New York, Albany Medical Center and University of Wisconsin-Madison
Awards and Honors Thirlby Award of the American Urological Association.
Question About two weeks ago i found a lump in my testicles. Upon inspection at the docs it was found it was an epididymal cyst. Now i know these are non-cancerous, but i have a few questions i would like answers to:
1. Is it worth getting an ultra-sound done?
2. What are the causes of these cysts, and is it normal to feel very mild pain every now and then?
3. Can these cysts lead to anything more serious?
4. How long do these stay for? Do they just come and go?
5. Can i carry on masturbating and having sex as usual or will this damage it?
6. Should i avoid anything to help?
Thank you in advance
Answer Yes, it's worth getting an ultrasound done. Not only does it positively diagnose the problem, but it gives you an accurate measurement of the size.
Causes of cysts include trauma and blow-outs. While it is not "normal" to feel intermittent pain, this is not uncommon with cysts in the epididymis.
Epididymal cysts or spermatoceles do not typically lead to anything more serious but they do tend to grow and enlarge. If they should rupture, there would be very significant inflammation of the testicle.
The cysts will remain unless surgically removed. They do not typically "come and go" although having one removed does not prevent the eventual development of new cysts in other locations.
Masturbation and sexual activity will most likely not have any significant effect on the cysts one way or the other.
There is nothing to avoid that will help the cysts except unnecessary trauma to the testicle which is something we tend to avoid anyway. When or if the cysts bother you enough, have them removed.
