I feel an odd, misshapen lump in my scrotum

Last updated on August 31, 2020

Question:

I feel a lump in my scrotum it is mostly to the left and it is oddly misshaped. I only felt it about 5 months ago, I thought it would vanish but it hasn’t. Additional information: I’m 12 turning 13 this year, currently on stage 2.9 with puberty.

Answer:

Assuming that the lump is not on your testicle, but in your scrotum, what you most likely are feeling is a varicocele. The veins in your body have small valves to keep blood from pooling in the lower parts of your body from backflow. In about 15% of men, one or more of the valves fail. The blood swells the veins in the area, leaving a lump that feels like a lump of spaghetti noodles. It is almost always on the left side of the scrotum. See Varicoceles.

Usually, varicoceles don’t need treatment, unless it is suspected to be causing infertility. In that case, surgery can correct the problem and restore fertility.

You should see a doctor to confirm that this is truly what you have.