Top 7 Homeopathic Medicines for Hydrocele  

Hydrocele refers to the swelling in the scrotum that holds the testicles due to the collection of excessive fluid in the sheath (tunica vaginalis) surrounding a testicle. Hydrocele can be congenital i.e. a child may be born with hydrocele or it may develop later in life. The causes of hydrocele developing late in life are inflammation or injury within the scrotum.

 Homeopathy is a very safe, effective, and non-invasive alternative treatment option for cases of hydrocele. Hydrocele, which is considered a surgical condition in the conventional mode of treatment, can be treated magnificently with homeopathic medicines. Homeopathic medicines stop the further progression of this condition and help to reduce swelling in the scrotum by aiding fluid absorption collected in the sheath around the testicle. Along with swelling, they also help to relieve any associated symptoms such as pain or dragging sensation.

Homeopathic medicines for hydrocele are of natural origin, making them very gentle, safe, and harmless for use in children as well as adults. They treat hydrocele naturally and do not carry any toxic side effects. One may also easily discontinue homeopathic medicine on the advised homeopathic protocol after the desired outcome is obtained.

Homeopathic medicines for hydrocele are prescribed based on the principle of individualization in every case. Individualization means selecting medicines based on the characteristic key symptoms in every case. So, it is advised to always consult a homeopathic doctor to get the best results as self-medication might not help here. The prescription of the medicines, potency selection, dosage, and repetition vary from case to case as per many factors like the age of a person, duration of complaint, the severity of the issue, and amount of swelling. In adults, homeopathic medicines can be repeated frequently and high potencies can be used,  as the case demands. On the other hand, in children, low potencies with infrequent repetition are usually done.

Homeopathy, if started well in time, can help in curing many hydrocele cases and save a person from surgery. However, the results vary depending on the duration, intensity of complaint, age of the patient and individual’s response to homeopathic treatment.

Top 7 Homeopathic  Medicines for Hydrocele

The top recommended homeopathic medicines for hydrocele include Rhododendron, Clematis, Arnica, Apis Mellifica, Abrotanum, Digitalis, and Iodum.

 1. Rhododendron – Top-Grade Medicine For Hydrocele

Rhododendron is a natural medicine prepared from fresh leaves of the plant ‘yellow snow rose’. It has shown great clinical improvements in cases of hydrocele. This medicine brings natural recovery, it works well in almost all cases of hydrocele, especially if arising from orchitis or epididymitis. Though rhododendron can be helpful for hydrocele on either side but is more prominently indicated for cases of left-sided hydrocele. In cases needing it, there is marked swelling of the scrotum. It may be hard and painful to touch.

When to use Rhododendron?

Rhododendron is a highly recommended medicine for left-sided hydrocele that mainly arises from the inflammation of the testes attended by pain on touching.

How to use Rhododendron?

Though it can be used in low and high potencies, it is usually preferred in 30C potency. Rhododendron 30C can be taken twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

 

2. Clematis – For Right-Sided Hydrocele

Clematis is the next well-indicated medicine for hydrocele. It is also a natural remedy prepared from leaves and stems of the plant ‘virgin’s bower’. It is a highly suitable medicine for cases of right-sided hydrocele. Those needing it have a drawing pain in the testicle. The scrotum is swollen. At times the testicle may be painful to touch. It is also very helpful for cases of hydrocele arising from orchitis.

When to use Clematis?

This medicine is well indicated for cases of right-sided hydrocele with drawing pain in testicles.

How to use Clematis?

Clematis 30C can be used twice a day.

3. Arnica – For Hydrocele After An Injury

Sourced from a plant ‘leopard’s bane’, Arnica is a herbal medicine of great importance in treating hydrocele that follows an injury. It gives promising results in hydrocele cases occurring after an injury. In cases needing it, there is swelling of the scrotum attended with sore, bruised pain. This medicine along with healing injury helps to reduce swelling of the scrotum and manages any associated pain.

When to use Arnica?

Arnica should be considered as the first choice of medicine for cases of hydrocele that occurs after an injury.

How to use Arnica?

Arnica 30 C can be taken two times a day for good results.

4. Apis Mellifica – For Hydrocele With marked Swelling

Apis Mellifica is the next most effective medicine for managing hydrocele. It is beneficial when there is excessive swelling of the scrotum. This medicine helps to absorb fluid that is collected around the testicle. Inflammation of testicles may be present in cases needing it along with stinging pain.

When to use Apis Mellifica?

This medicine can be opted for in cases where there is intense swelling of the scrotum with stinging pain.

How to use Apis Mellifica?

Its use is preferred in 30C potency. Apis Mellifica can be taken twice a day in 30C potency.

5. Abrotanum – For Congenital Hydrocele

Abrotanum is the most wonderful medicine for hydrocele where the condition is present from birth. It is of natural origin prepared from leaves and stems of plant ‘southernwood’ and is entirely safe for use among children.

When to use Abrotanum?

Its use is particularly considered in newborn boys having hydrocele.

How to use Abrotanum?

It is advised to consult a homeopathic physician before using this medicine for the right potency and repetition that varies from case to case.

6. Digitalis – For Left Sided Hydrocele

Digitalis is also a natural remedy of plant origin for treating hydrocele. It is prepared from the leaves of a plant named ‘foxglove’ and is very helpful for left-sided hydrocele with marked swelling of the scrotum. The scrotum seems like a bladder filled with water. Bruised pain may accompany the condition in such cases which will respond well to Digitalis.

When to use Digitalis?

Digitalis is prominently indicated for left-sided hydrocele with bruised sort of pain.

How to use Digitalis?

Digitalis 30C twice a day is an ideal dose to start with.

7. Iodum – For Hydrocele With Pain

This medicine can be considered in cases of hydrocele with pain. An aching, pressing pain is felt in the testicles. This is worse after sexual intercourse. The testicles may feel hard as well along with the above complaints.

When to use Iodum?

Use of Iodum is suggested in cases of hydrocele with pain usually worse after sexual intercourse.

How to use Iodum?

Its use is advised in 30 C potency twice a day.

Note Any of the above homeopathic medicines can be taken for about one month. If no relief sets in, kindly consult a homeopathic physician for further case evaluation and a change in prescription.

Causes of Hydrocele

Though hydrocele can occur at any age but is most common in newborns and males over 40 years of age.

A). In Infants (Babies Less Than One Year Age)

During the development of a male baby, the testicles descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum shortly before birth. There is a natural sac (containing fluid) surrounding the testicles. This sac closes and fluid absorption occurs during the first year of the baby. But if this sac does not close, it results in hydrocele results which is termed communicating hydrocele. If the sac closes but some fluid remains behind around the testicle, it is termed non-communicating hydrocele.

B). In adults

Hydrocele may occur when the sac (tunica vaginalis) produces excessive fluid or when the fluid is not properly absorbed, it results in the build-up of fluid around the testicle.

Hydrocele may arise from:

1. Injury or inflammation of scrotum

2. Infection/inflammation of testicles (orchitis) or epididymis(epididymitis)

3. Sexually transmitted infections

4. Rare Inguinal hernia

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Hydrocele?

In most cases swelling in the scrotum is the only sign. It may be on one side or both sides. The swelling may be less in the morning and more in the evening.

Other than this, it may cause discomfort, a dragging sensation in the scrotum along with heaviness. In some cases, pain, and redness of the scrotum may also be present.

If there occurs sudden intense pain in the scrotum or swelling mainly after scrotal injury, immediate medical help should be taken. This could be due to blocked blood flow from twisted testicles (testicular torsion) that needs urgent treatment to prevent permanent damage to the testicle.

Types of Hydrocele

1. Communicating hydrocele: A natural sac (containing fluid) surrounds the testicles that close and fluid absorption occurs during the first year of the baby. If this sac does not close, it results in hydrocele which is termed communicating hydrocele. Communicating hydrocele is associated with inguinal hernia.

2. Non-communicating hydrocele: If this sac closes but some fluid remains behind around the testicle, it is termed non-communicating hydrocele.

3. Nuck’s hydrocele (also called Female hydrocele): It is a rare form of hydrocele occurring in female children when the complete obliteration of the canal of nuck (abnormal patent pouch of the peritoneum) fails to take place.

How to diagnose Hydrocele?

In cases suspected of hydrocele, the doctor conducts a physical examination to check swelling, pain and tenderness in scrotum. Then he will do a transillumination test. In this test a doctor will shine a strong light through the scrotum. In the case of hydrocele, the light will pass through the scrotum due to the fluid in it while in the case of some solid mass (tumor) the light will not pass. To confirm the diagnosis of hydrocele, an ultrasound of the scrotum is the most commonly recommended test.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. There is swelling in my scrotum, Is it hydrocele?

Swollen scrotum may occur from various causes. Hydrocele is one of the reasons among these, some other causes include varicocele, spermatocele, epididymitis, and hematocele. So kindly visit a doctor who will do a physical examination and conduct investigations to confirm the diagnosis.

2. Can hydrocele develop on both sides?

Usually, hydrocele develops on one side but there are also chances of getting hydrocele on both sides.

3. Should I avoid weightlifting if I suffer from hydrocele?

The problem of hydrocele may increase from lifting heavy weights, so it is better to avoid heavy weight lifting.

4. I have hydrocele, should I avoid going to the gym?

If you have hydrocele, try to avoid strenuous exercises that put pressure on the scrotum and cause discomfort.

5. Does hydrocele affect sperm count and male fertility?

No, hydrocele does not affect sperm count and male fertility.

6. Does hydrocele lead to erectile dysfunction?

Though hydrocele directly does not lead to erectile dysfunction, the psychological effects of a swollen scrotum, and when swelling is quite large, may hinder normal sexual activity.

7. Is hydrocele cancerous?

No, it is a non-cancerous (benign) condition arising from fluid build-up in tunica vaginalis sheath that surrounds a testicle.

8. Do all kinds of hydroceles require surgery?

No, in many cases hydrocele resolves on its own with time. But if the hydrocele is very large and is quite painful, then surgery might be required. It is best to consult a surgeon to decide on the surgery option in any case of hydrocele.

9. Does hydrocele recur after surgery?

Yes, there are chances of recurrence of hydrocele after surgery in about 5-10% of cases.

10. My baby aged 3 months has scrotal swelling due to hydrocele, does he require surgery?

In most cases of hydrocele below one year of age, there is about a 70% chance that hydrocele will resolve on its own around the age of one to two years. However, it is always recommended to visit a pediatrician to check if a baby needs surgery or not and rule out any other medical condition that might be causing scrotal swelling other than hydrocele.