When ejaculating my testicle retreated to exact place where lump was

Question:

Hi. My name is Dennis. I am 60 years old but I’m still sexually active and I lead normal sexual life and sometimes masturbate. I also have a small right side inguinal hernia. It comes in a form of a small lump. I feel no pain or any discomfort. Last time when I masturbated my right testicle retreated to the place where my inguinal hernia lump was. Next week I’m seeing my doctor in Budapest but before I do it I have a few questions:

1) Is it normal when a testicle goes so deep inside after ejaculation?
2) Could it worsen my hernia inguinal condition?
3) If the #2 answer is “NO”. Right now I feel no pain or discomfort. Should I undergo an operation which my doctor might propose?

Doctor’s Answer:

Hi, Dennis.
To have retractile testicles is quite common condition for men. They normally retract just before the ejaculation, no matter if you’re masturbating or having real sex with your partner. What causes testicles to retract is blood that is diverted to the muscles during physical exertion and away from the perineum. Testicles can retract as far as the inguinal canals. If you are feeling pain or any other kind of discomfort – you can take a warm bath. It can relieve the symptoms.

Regarding inguinal hernia: normally the testicular retraction after ejaculation will not cause a problem with the hernia as it’s transient.
Inguinal hernia will not go away on its own and it often grows larger with time. So there is a risk that it becoming strangulated what is a very dangerous condition – it means that the blood supply is cut off to the bowel which in turn cause severe pain and tissue death.

That is why laparoscopic surgery is recommended while the problem is still small.