Orchiectomy (Testicle Removal)

Testicular Surgery

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) offers many treatment options for conditions affecting the testicles. If other, more conservative treatment options are not enough to treat your condition, your care team may recommend a surgical procedure. Our Division of Urologic Surgery has the most experience in the region and is one of the nation's top urology practices. Our expert surgeons perform minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures for even the most complex conditions.

What is Orchiectomy?

An orchiectomy is the surgical removal of one or both testicles. Doctors use this procedure to treat multiple types of cancer, including the following types:

• Testicular cancer
• Prostate cancer (rare)
• Male breast cancer (very rare)

You may also undergo orchiectomy in the context of gender-affirming care.

After Care: Orchiectomy Recovery Time

Here are some tips on what to expect during your recovery: 

• Pain medicine: Most people will have discomfort requiring pain medicine for up to two weeks. Please follow the directions that your doctor gives you when you leave the hospital. Take your pain medicine as you need it. 
• Pain level: After the first two weeks, the pain usually diminishes considerably. There may be certain times of day when discomfort is worse. You will typically experience the greatest discomfort when sitting or at night.  
• Swelling and bruising: The degree of swelling and bruising can be considerable following surgery. Most of this disappears after two weeks. 
• Ache or soreness: A dull ache or soreness is common for up to eight weeks. This time is different for each person. As long as the pain is gradually diminishing, you should not be alarmed. Eventually, all discomfort will be gone. 
• Bathing: Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you may shower two days after surgery. You should not take a bath or go swimming for at least two weeks. 
  
• Incision (cut) care: Stitches are absorbable and we will not need to remove them. You may wash gently around your incision two days after surgery. If a scab or dried blood is present over the incision, it is best to leave it alone rather than to pick at it. The scab will fall away in several days.  
• Surgical staple care: If we used staples to close the wound, we will remove them seven to ten days after your procedure. Call your doctor's office for an appointment for staple removal. It is fine to shower with staples. Do not take a bath while you have staples.  
• Sexual activity: In general, you are safe to resume sexual activity three weeks following surgery. In some cases, this may be longer because of discomfort, swelling or other problems. You should avoid all sexual activity for at least three weeks.

When to Contact Your Doctor

Please contact the office immediately if you experience any of the following:  

• Fever 102°F or higher 
• Increasing pain or soreness around the penis or scrotum 
• Pus coming from the incision