Homeopathic Remedies Apis Melifica and Rhododendron Chrysanthum for Testicular Torsion Pain
A young boy wakes up with pain in his left testicle. The pain is intense, especially when walking, and worse while sitting and when touched. The boy says it hurts in his abdomen and thigh. His testicles are very swollen.
In cases like this, the boy could have testicular torsion, epididymitis (inflammation of the epididymis), orchitis (inflamed testicle), a varicocele (enlarged vein on scrotum), or a hydrocele (fluid in the scrotum).
This boy does need to be seen by a doctor for a clinical diagnosis. If he does have testicular torsion, he will need to have surgery to untwist the spermatic cord. A Homeopathic Remedy will not untwist the spermatic cord. However, a Homeopathic Remedy can be taken to address the intense pain that comes with testicular torsion until he can be seen by a doctor. The Homeopathic Remedy needed here is Rhododendron Chrysanthum 30c, a couple of doses a day to help decrease the testicular pain. The Rhododendron Chrysanthum 30c will be repeatedwhen the testicle pain increases again.
Often times, when the testicles are very swollen, the Homeopathic Remedy Apis Mellifica 200c will also be taken 3 times a day to help decrease the fluid in between the tissue layers (swelling).
If the boy does not have testicular torsion, but does have another male health condition such as epididymitis, orchitis, a varicocele, or a hydrocele, Rhododendron Chrysanthum can still be taken as long as the symptoms are: left testicular pain, worse with walking, sitting or with touch. In Homeopathy, a Homeopathic Remedy is selected according to the symptoms being exhibited and doesn’t always need to know the health condition label (diagnosis).
What is Testicular Torsion?
Testicular torsion occurs when a testicle rotates, and twists the spermatic cord, cutting off the blood flow to the testicles. This often causes severe pain and swelling in or around the testicle and, in some cases in the inguinal (groin) gland (lymph node). Sometimes, a lump can also be felt in the testicle. The testicular torsion can happen in either testicle but rarely happens on both testicles at the same time. In most males, a testicle can’t twist because the tissue around it is well attached. However, there are males who are born with no tissue holding the testes to the scrotum, allowing the testicles to “swing” inside the scrotum. This is often called a “bell clapper” deformity. A male who had an undescended testicle can have testicular torsion. Testicular torsion is not a common problem, as it occurs in about 1 in every 4,000 males under the age of 25. It can also happen in newborns (even before birth), and in older men.
Testicular Torsion Symptoms
Testicular torsion is usually experienced upon waking (middle of the night or early morning) with pain in the genital area. It can happen during exercise, sitting, standing or even sleeping.
- Sudden, severe pain in the scrotum (sac containing the testicles)
- Swelling of the scrotum
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- A testicle that’s positioned higher than normal or at an unusual angle
- Frequent urination
- Fever
What Can Cause Testicular Torsion?
- Trauma, impact, or injury to the testicles
- Urinary tract infection (UTI) or Kidney Stones
- Prostate infection
- Orchitis (inflamed testicle)
- Varicocele (abnormal enlargement of the veins within the scrotum)
- Spermatocele (buildup of fluid in the testicle)
- Epididymitis (inflammation of the epididymis – coiled tube at the back of the testicle)
- Undescended testicles
- Inguinal hernia
- Testicular tumor
- Diabetic Neuropathy – Can damage the nerve that supplies the scrotum and cause testicle pain
- Sexually transmitted infections (i.e., chlamydia, gonorrhea)
How is Testicular Torsion Treated?
If testicular torsion is not addressed quickly, it may result in the loss of the testicle because the twisting cuts off the blood flow to the testicle and there can be severe damage. When testicular torsion occurs, surgery needs to be done to untwist the spermatic cords. A Homeopathic Remedy can be given for the testicular pain acutely until the testicular torsion can be addressed surgically. However, I also recommend a Homeopathic Remedy, to be selected for what caused the male to have the testicular torsion (i.e., epididymitis, a UTI, or a Hydrocele).
Homeopathic Remedies for Acute Testicular Torsion Pain
Arnica Montana – Selected for testicular torsion from an injury to the testicle where the testicle(s) are sore, tender, and swollen, especially the spermatic cord, with pain in the testes that extends into the abdomen.
Apis Mellifica – Selected for swelling and pain in the testicles from testicular twisting. The testicle pain is worse with touch. Apis is primarily selected for symptoms of the right testicle, however, it can be used for swelling and pain in the left testicle, too.
Aurum Metallicum – Selected for swollen testicles with aching pain. The pain tends to get worse from touching the genital area. Sometimes, a male may experience a sensation as if a knife is being drawn through the testicle (sharp pain).
Berberis Vulgaris – Selected for a drawing pain in the spermatic cord, extending to the testes, especially in the right testicle, along with a sharp, cutting, or stinging nerve pain (neuralgia) in the spermatic cord and testicles. Sometimes a male can have a constricting or burning pain in the testicles.
Clematis Erecta – Selected for testicular torsion with a twisting, choking, or a strangulated feeling inside the testicle. There is swelling of the spermatic cord with burning and soreness that extends to the abdomen. The pain is worse from the slightest touch, especially in the right testicle, which can be swollen and inflamed. Clematis Erecta is selected for testicular torsion for a male that has a history of having undescended testicles.
Colocynthis – Selected for drawing pain in the spermatic cord, extending into the testicle with twisting pain in the right testicle.
Conium Maculatum – Selected for a twisting feeling in the testicle(s) where there is a pressing, tearing pain, especially during the night. Conium is commonly selected testicular torsion from an injury to the testicles causing swelling and hardness of the testicles.
Hamamelis – Selected for pain running down the spermatic cord into testicles. The pain is worse from pressure, jarring, and motion. There can be a dull or drawing pain in the testicles during the day and at night, especially in the right testicle.
Iodum Pura – Selected for a twisting pain in the spermatic cord where the testicles are painful, swollen, and hard (indurated). The male may feel a pressure in the testicles that extends into the abdomen.
Mercurius Solubilis (Vivus) – Selected for a dragging pain in the testicles and spermatic cord. The testicles are hard and swollen, with the scrotum red and shiny. The male may have profuse perspiration without any relief during sleep. The symptoms are worse at night and when lying on the right side. The testicular pain may be felt in the groin and spermatic cord.
Nux Vomica – Selected for a choking, strangulating feeling in the testes and spermatic cord with testicular torsion. The drawing pain goes from the spermatic cord and extends to the testicles with swelling and heat in the genital area. The male may also have a shooting, stitching or constrictive pain in the testicles that are sensitive and painful to touch.
Pulsatilla – Selected foradrawing or burning pain in the spermatic cord that extends to the testicles. The male may feel a twisting sensation in the testicle.
Rhododendron Chrysanthum – Selected for when the testicles (especially left-side) and the epididymis have intense pain and are swollen, and there is a drawn up feeling from the spermatic cord into the abdomen and thighs that is worse with touch and when walking. The male can have a burning, sore pain between the genital area and thighs. Testicles are retracted or swell, especially at night, and feel as if they had been crushed. Pain is worse from touch, sitting, and feels better with movement. Pain may be so intense as to arrest breathing.
Silicea – Selected for a squeezing pain that is felt in the testicle(s). The male may also have pain and swelling in the inguinal glands and vomit after drinking.
Spongia Tosta – Selected for testicular torsion with a screwing (twisting), squeezing, sharp pain, or stitches of pain up into the spermatic cord and testicles. The spermatic cord and the testicles are both swollen and very painful. The male may have gotten testicular torsion from Orchitis (an inflamed testicle).
Staphysagria – Selected for a drawing or twisting pain in the spermatic cord, which extends into the testicles. The male may have a stinging, stitching, or shooting sensation that is worse from touch in the testicles. The pains in the testicles are worse when walking.
When a male has testicular torsion, time is of the essence before damage is done to the testicle. A Homeopathic Remedy can help with the pain, by helping the male feel comfortable until a surgical procedure can be performed. As stated above, taking a Homeopathic Remedy for what caused the testicular torsion is the best way to address this health condition. Homeopathic Remedies can also help with healing after any surgical procedure has been done, including testicular torsion.
