Where does all the fluid in my hydrocele come from?

Yes: Hydrocele fluid usually comes from fluid that leaks down into your scrotum from your abdomen. Your abdominal compartment makes liters of fluid a day and if there is a connection to your scrotum, some of this fluid leaks down. Surgery to close that connection is the only way to stop that continued fluid leak.

See below: Hydrocele fluid is secreted and reabsorbed by the hydrocele sac. When there is less reabsorption (for example as a result of inflammation), the fluid accumulates and over time the increase in size becomes visible.

Tunica vaginals: The testicles are protected by a membrane called the tunica vaginalis. For reasons that are sometimes obscure, this membrane starts secreting fluid(plasma) that accumulates thus forming the hydrocele. Sometimes, the reason for the increased secretions can be trauma or any other kind of physical insult.

Men or boys!: Adult type hydrocele (non- communicating) - fluid comes from secretion or reaction to trauma, inflammation or torsion by inner layer of tunica vaginalis surrounding testis which is or has been produced faster than it is absorbed. In boys/toddlers or infants with communicating hydrocele, fluid comes from peritoneal cavity thru the communication.