Recent studies have shown that nearly one out of every three adult males is affected by epididymal cysts. This occurrence ratio of epididymal cysts is considerably high, but it does not impose any serious risk to male health or fertility. Mostly, epididymal cysts go on their own without any treatment and do not alter male fertility. Whenever patients need accelerators to speed up their recovery, natural treatments are the best choice. So, here we will discuss all the natural treatments for epididymal cysts in detail, so keep reading.

What Is Epididymal Cyst?

Epididymal cyst refers to the fluid-filled sacs, pockets, or cysts formed in the epididymis. Epididymis is a coiled tube that is part of the male reproductive organ and is responsible for storing and carrying sperm from the testes. Epididymis is primarily responsible for the storage, maturation, and transport of sperm in the male body.

An epididymal cyst is non-cancerous in nature and does not cause any pain. Also, it does has any effect on the fertility of males. Epididymal cysts are also known as spermatoceles or spermatic cysts. In some cases, epididymal cysts go on their own without any treatment. If epididymal cysts do not recover on their own, there is usually no need for treatment because these cysts do not cause any pain or complications in most cases.

If you experience pain due to epididymal cysts, you must consult your doctor. In the first line of treatment, your doctor will prescribe you analgesics such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Surgery, known as spermatocelectomy, can also be performed by surgeons in severe cases.

Symptoms Of Epididymal Cysts

Males suffering from epididymal cysts can experience any of the below-mentioned symptoms.

• Pain in scrotum
• The feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
• Redness or soreness in the scrotum
• Swelling or inflammation in the scrotum
• Lower abdominal pain
• Back pain
• Testicular pain

Causes Of Epididymal Cysts

The exact cause of epididymal cysts is not known. There is a need for more studies and research to be conducted to find out the main reason resulting in cysts formation in the epididymis among males. However, it has been known that inflammation or blockage of any single tube out of the multiple tubes in the epididymis responsible for carrying sperm from the testes may be the reason for causing epididymal cysts.

Natural Treatment For Epididymal Cysts

Natural treatments can help patients in alleviating most of their symptoms related to epididymal cysts. Some remedies can be effective enough to accelerate the patient’s recovery from these cysts. However, natural treatments are not officially recommended to the patients. Therefore, the efficiency of these treatments can vary from patient to patient. Here are mentioned all of the natural treatments for epididymal cysts, which can be useful for males to ensure effective recovery.

Apply Hot Compression

Hot compression can be one of the effective natural remedies for removing epididymal cysts. It works by shrinking the size of the epididymal cyst and then boosting its drainage out of the body.  Hot compression helps decrease the viscosity of liquid present in the epididymal cyst. A reduced viscosity allows liquid to drain from a liquid-filled epididymal cyst into the lymphatic system. This lymphatic system further helps maintain the fluid balance in the body and reduces the chances of infection, which can otherwise spread to other body organs because of the release of the fluid from the cysts.

To use hot compression as a natural remedy for epididymal cysts, there are several ways available for patients. One of the easiest ways is to apply a heated cloth to the affected area. To heat the piece of cloth, you just have to heat the water at the required temperature. You should boil the water because we don’t need too hot a temperature that can burn the skin during application.

Heat the water at a tolerable temperature. Dip the piece of cloth, such as a towel you selected for hot compression, in the heated water. Then, squeeze the towel and apply it on the epididymis and continue to apply for almost half an hour with small breaks in between. If you don’t want to use hot water to increase temperature, you can directly heat the selected cloth using an iron.

Many people have found hot compression an effective natural way to alleviate the symptoms of cysts. Still, it is not medically prescribed by any doctor or medical expert. There is a need for more proof and researches to ensure the efficacy of hot compression for epididymal cysts. Furthermore, patients can not recover completely from epididymal cysts by applying hot compression. There is a need for proper medical attention to ensure an effective recovery from this condition.

Apply Tea Tree Oil

The tea tree essential oil alleviates some specific types of epididymal cysts. Cysts are sometimes formed when hairs grow into the sebaceous glands. There is a higher risk of infection in the sebaceous glands because of the abnormal hair growth there. It may cause pus to build up in the sebaceous gland, which could result in cyst formation. A pilosebaceous cyst may form, which is a type of cyst that rarely develops in the epididymis.

Epididymal cysts are extremely rare due to abnormal hair follicle growth, but males suffering from them can use tea tree oil to boost their recovery. Studies have shown that tea tree essential oils are antimicrobial. By applying tea tree oil, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other pathogens can be inhibited. Furthermore, it reduces the risk of cyst development in the sebaceous gland due to hair follicles.

Tea tree essentials should be diluted in warm, clean water before use. Add 2 to 3 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of water for dilution. Apply this diluted combination to the cyst-containing region of the epididymis using a clean cloth. Tea tree essential oil’s therapeutic properties can be enhanced by applying it with heat compression. Never directly apply concentrated or undiluted tea tree oil to the skin since this can cause skin burn, inflammation, and itching. 

Any health institute does not officially recommend tea tree essential oil to remove epididymal cysts, so its efficacy is subject to speculation. Moreover, this oil can only remove cysts caused by hair follicles or infections, so it cannot cure all types of epididymal cysts. You should consult a medical expert about the developed epididymal cyst and proceed accordingly.

Apply Castor oil

Castor oil is another natural way of alleviating epididymal cysts. Due to its antimicrobial properties, it helps kill bacteria that live mainly on the skin and can cause cyst formation in the cervix. Getting rid of infectious bacteria can make epididymal cyst recovery more effective.

You should use a purified castor oil package when applying castor oil. You can apply a drop of oil to the epididymal area affected by the cyst by gently rubbing your hand over it. Several times a day, repeat this procedure. In the end, remember, no trustworthy website recommends castor oil for epididymal cysts, and it cannot cure all types of epididymal cysts. 

Apple cider vinegar

Patients suffering from epididymal cyst formation may benefit from apple cider vinegar. Applying apple cider vinegar can recover specific types of cysts formed by bacteria. A vinegar containing acetic acid has antibacterial properties that prevent the spread of bacteria. Additionally, it reduces the risk of chronic complications associated with epididymal cysts.

Dilute apple cider vinegar with equal amounts of water before applying. Apply it with the help of a clean cloth to the epididymal region containing the cyst. It can also be applied with hot compression to boost its therapeutic properties. A direct application of apple cider vinegar without dilution can cause skin irritation, burning, and itching.

In the same way as tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar is a home remedy people prefer because of its fewer side effects. Also, it can only alleviate the side effects of some specific types of cyst formation in the epididymis. Since apple cider vinegar is not officially prescribed for cyst removal, its efficacy for recovery is limited.

Aloe vera

The healing properties of aloe vera help patients deal with the symptoms of epididymal cysts. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that can alleviate pain and irritation caused by epididymal cysts. A cyst formed due to bacterial attack may also be reduced in size by using this treatment.

Aloe vera can be applied to the epididymis area containing cysts in creams, lotions, or gels to benefit from its healing properties. As aloe vera is applied to the epididymis, it must be purchased from trustworthy companies.

Health experts do not recommend using aloe vera to remove epididymal cysts. There is no evidence that aloe vera can relieve symptom-healing properties, though it can relieve pain and irritation. In every case, following a doctor’s recommendation is the best course of action.

Apply Turmeric

Patients can benefit from turmeric by recovering effectively. Although it has anti-inflammatory qualities, it cannot eradicate or reduce the size of the epididymal cyst. These anti-inflammatory qualities contribute to accelerated recovery. When applying turmeric, produce a thick paste by combining it with water, and then carefully apply it to the cyst. Check the reaction of the turmeric paste on less sensitive areas of the skin before applying it, as some skin types can be sensitive to turmeric and experience redness, itching, and irritation.

Apply Honey

Honey, like turmeric, cannot get rid of or shrink epididymal cysts. Still, it can aid in quick healing—the anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial qualities of honey help to reduce inflammation and the risk of infection in the body. To treat cysts with honey, dab a small amount onto the cysts. Let this honey work for a few hours. Next, use water to remove the honey from the skin.

Conclusion 

In most cases, males with epididymal cysts recovered their own without any treatment. However, patients can benefit from the all-natural treatments we discussed above to boost recovery. Still, if they are experiencing pain due to epididymal cysts, they must consult the doctor. The doctor will prescribe some analgesics for immediate pain relief. In severe cases, surgery can be performed.