What Is Testicular Atrophy?

By kevin

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4. Infectious Causes

Infectious diseases caused by viruses or bacteria can cause orchitis, which is inflammation of the testicles, sometimes causing them to atrophy over time. A man who has to have a catheter inserted into his penis for purposes of collecting and draining urine may contract a bacterial infection if the catheter is not sterile. Other examples of bacterial infections that can cause orchitis and eventual testicular atrophy include sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.

HIV is an example of a viral sexually transmitted infection that can put one at risk for testicular atrophy. However, not all viruses that can cause orchitis are STIs. Mumps, for example, primarily affects the salivary glands but can also affect the reproductive organs. Orchitis occurs in approximately one-third of men who contract mumps after puberty. Though the inflammation causes the testicles to appear larger at first, testicular atrophy can develop over time. Vaccination against mumps can prevent the infection from occurring in the first place.