Testicular or scrotal pain is diagnosed and treated by the Urology Division of Premier Medical Group.
Testicular or scrotal pain is diagnosed and treated by the Urology Division of Premier Medical Group.
Testicular or scrotal pain of any type should be taken seriously. The testicles (testes) are the two glands that produce sperm and are therefore part of the male reproductive system. These glands are very sensitive to pain and even minor trauma can be very painful. The testes are also closely connected to other parts of the body and nervous system. It’s not uncommon for various causes of testicular pain to create pain in the groin, lower back, and/or a shooting pain that radiates down the leg. The pain can be nearly constant, or you may experience intermittent testicular pain.
Scrotal pain can occur at any age, even to newborns, and the condition typically needs medical evaluation.
Sports injuries are one of the most common causes of testicular injury and can occur with team sports or individual activities (e.g. -bicycling). Less serious injuries that present with mild testicular pain can often be handled with at-home treatment; severe trauma will require a medical evaluation. This type of mild-to-moderate testicular pain is also extremely common after a vasectomy procedure.
The most common in this category is epididymitis, an inflammation of the epididymis. In fact, acute epididymitis accounts for about 75 percent of all intra-scrotal inflammatory disease in adolescent and adult men. When the inflammation lasts longer than six weeks, it is known as chronic epididymitis and may be more difficult to treat effectively.
These glands are located on top of and behind each testicle (testis). The epididymes are important for sperm maturation and are more prone to infection than the testicles. Some scrotal infections are caused by sexually-transmitted bacterial infections.
Orchitis is an inflammation of the testicle, which usually results from the spread of infection from the epididymis. This condition can occur at any age and causes severe testicular pain. It can be caused by the mumps virus, though that disease has been significantly reduced by standard childhood vaccinations.
This is a non-specific description of a physical presence that may be due to benign or malignant conditions. The most serious would be a solid testis mass due to testicular cancer. Such tumors are most commonly seen in teenagers and young men but can occur at any age. Trauma can cause collections of blood or fluid that may mimic a mass in the scrotum. Fluid can build up around the testicle (hydrocele) or within the epididymis (spermatocele) and will feel solid on exam.
This causes acute and severe scrotal pain and swelling. It happens when the spermatic cord twists, blocking blood flow to the testicles. It most commonly occurs in newborns and adolescent males under 18 but can occur at any age. This type of scrotal pain cannot be ignored. Testicular torsion is an acute surgical emergency and requires an operation to untwist the testicle within 6 hours in order to save the gonad.
If you should experience tenderness or pain in the scrotum that is related to a lump, fever, and abnormal warmth, or redness, blood in the urine, or unusual discharge from the urethra, make an appointment to see your urologist.
You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:
While many of testicular conditions are treatable, men should view this pain as an emergency situation until the exact cause of the scrotal pain is diagnosed. If any of these symptoms are left unexamined, the result could be loss of the testicle and the risk of infertility.
Doctors may use the following tests to determine the cause of pain in the testicles or scrotum:
Testicular pain home remedy
Your home remedy for scrotal or testicular pain will depend on what the diagnosis is. Applying an ice pack to your scrotum can help reduce pain and swelling. Never put ice directly on your scrotum. Make sure to wrap the ice in a cloth. Other home remedies include, over-the-counter pain relievers, (e.g. – ibuprofen), and reduced activity. You can also seek relief by wearing scrotal support and by placing a rolled towel under the scrotum when lying down.
To help prevent some types of scrotal pain, follow these simple measures