Size up the problem

I am a 20-year-old student. My left testicle enlarged three months back. It looks odd when I wear trousers. I consulted a doctor who says I need to be operated for hernia, but it's not a case of hydrocele. I am scared to undergo an operation. Is there an alternative to cure this problem? My parents don’t know of it yet. Please help me come out of this stressful situation.

Whether it’s hernia or hydrocele, surgery is the only recourse. Medication has no role in the management of either of the conditions. It’s important for you to undergo surgery especially in case of hernia. This is because there’s a possibility of the hernia getting strangulated. If an emergency surgery is not undertaken, then it may prove to be fatal. There is no need to be afraid. The surgery is safe and with modern techniques, the recovery is faster and hospitalisation is minimal.

I am 19 years old. One of my breasts is bigger than the other. Whom should I consult? I am very disturbed about this problem.

You have not mentioned your gender. If you are a boy/man, then you may be having “gynecomastia’. You need to consult a cosmetic surgeon. If you are a girl/woman, then you need not worry as long as you do not have lumps in the breast. It’s common in many women to have a difference in the sizes of the two breasts. Very rarely a pathological condition is associated with it. However, you can consult a surgeon or a gynecologist.