Title: Everything You Need to Know About an Orchiectomy
Headings: What Happens During an Orchiectomy?
What Happens During an Orchiectomy?
Purpose of an Orchiectomy
Types of Surgery
Simple Orchiectomy
Radical Inguinal Orchiectomy
Partial Orchiectomy
Types of Anesthesia
How to Prepare
Recovery
What to Do After an Orchiectomy
Further Post-Surgical Instructions
Complications
Possible Side Effects
Other Questions
Is there a lot of pain after the surgery?
Will I still have normal fertility if I lose a testicle as a result of testicular torsion?
When only one testicle is removed, what precautions can be taken to protect the other testicle?
After both testicles are removed, will I still be able to get and maintain an erection?
Can a person still have sex after removal of the testicle?
What if cancer is discovered after the surgery?
Is a prosthesis recommended after surgery?

Content: Learn about our Medical Review Board
Matthew Wosnitzer, MD
Updated on March 25, 2021
Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
Purpose
Types of Surgery
How to Prepare
Recovery
Possible Side Effects
Other Questions
When it comes to reproductive health, it can sometimes be uncomfortable to ask the questions that need to be asked. For example, it may be difficult for someone to have an open conversation with a professional when having a procedure called an orchiectomy (also called orchidectomy). This is the removal of one or both of the testicles . While it is still very important to consult with your doctor for specific details if you're having a procedure, it can help to learn the answers to common questions about the procedure as well. This way you can learn the ins and outs of the process, and you'll be able to have a starting point for a discussion with your doctor. Illustration by Kelly Miller, Verywell
Purpose of an Orchiectomy
An orchiectomy is performed for many different reasons including: 1 ﻿﻿
Prostate cancer (procedure prevents it from spreading)
Testicular cancer and breast cancer in men
Testicular torsion or other medical conditions of the male reproductive organs
Cancer prevention
Treatment of an undescended testicle after puberty
Severe trauma to the testicle
Male-to-female gender reassignment surgery 2 ﻿
An orchiectomy may be performed to treat various types of cancer, such as prostate or male breast cancer. 3 ﻿﻿ This is because the testicles produce testosterone, which is a hormone that can cause some types of cancer to metastasize (spread) faster. 4 ﻿﻿
An orchiectomy is also considered a mandatory procedure for conditions that result in necrosis (death) to the tissues of the testicles, such as testicular torsion. Furthermore, men may elect to have an orchiectomy to reduce the level of testosterone in the body when transitioning to the female gender.