- 7 main causes of testicular pain
- 1. Varicocele
- 2. Inguinal hernia
- 3. Epididymitis
- 4. Testicular torsion
- 5. Prostatitis
- 6. Mumps
- 7. Testicular cancer
Testicular pain is a symptom that can affect men of all ages and can be classified as acute or chronic. Acute pain is pain that arises quickly and lasts a few hours or days, and is usually caused by a blow to the testicles.
Chronic pain, on the other hand, appears slowly and lasts for several weeks or months, which may be a sign of more serious problems such as inguinal hernia, varicocele or chronic inflammatory processes, for example.
In more rare cases, this type of pain can also indicate the presence of testicular cancer, although it is more common than in cancer that men do not feel pain, being able to identify only a hardened lump or lump. Learn more about how to identify testicular cancer.
7 main causes of testicular pain
The most common causes of testicular pain include:
1. Varicocele
Varicocele is an enlargement of the testicle veins that occurs most often in the left testicle, but which can also affect only the right or both. This change causes constant discomfort, swelling in the testicles and a feeling of heat, especially after walking or doing some physical activity. Understand more about varicocele.
How to treat: in most cases, pain caused by varicocele is treated with analgesic remedies like Paracetamol or Dipyrone. However, if there is a risk of infertility or if the pain does not improve with the use of drugs, it may be necessary to have a small surgery to "turn on" the affected veins and make the blood only circulate through healthy vessels.
2. Inguinal hernia
Inguinal hernia is very common in children and young adults, occurring when a portion of the intestine, or other abdominal contents, passes through a weakened area of the abdominal muscles, entering the scrotum and causing constant swelling and pain, which can be aggravated upon rising, bending over or lifting weights, for example.
How to treat: the only form of treatment available is to have surgery for an inguinal hernia that allows you to return the portion of the intestine to the correct location and strengthen the abdominal muscles. Find out more about how the treatment is done.
3. Epididymitis
Inflammation of the epididymis, also known as epididymitis, can be caused by bacteria or viruses, and symptoms include severe pain, swollen testicles, redness and fever with chills.
How to treat: it is necessary to consult the urologist to evaluate the need to start the use of antibiotics, which may be ceftriaxone or quinolones (usually ciprofloxacin), and the period of treatment may vary.
4. Testicular torsion
Testicular torsion is usually an emergency situation that is more common before the age of 25 and that causes very intense pain, however, there are cases in which this torsion does not happen completely and, therefore, the man may present only one discomfort constant pain or intense pain that comes and goes according to the movements. See the other common symptoms of twisting.
How to treat it: in case of suspected testicular torsion, it is important to go quickly to the emergency room to confirm the diagnosis and have surgery to return the testicle to the correct place, avoiding complications such as infertility.
5. Prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate, known as prostatitis, usually causes symptoms such as painful urination, fever, perineal pain, and a feeling of being unable to empty the bladder. However, it is also common to feel pain in the testicles, which worsens when palpating the region.
How to treat it: a good way to relieve pain is to take a sitz bath with warm water for 15 minutes and practice kegel exercises, however, it is almost always also necessary to take antibiotics prescribed by the urologist, such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin.
6. Mumps
Although mumps usually affect the parotid glands, which are found on the side of the face, the virus that causes the disease can also travel to the testicles, causing inflammation. In this way, pain in the testicles can happen after a mumps situation, due to the migration of the virus.
How to treat: Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, such as Ibuprofen or Paracetamol, are usually used to relieve symptoms. But it is also necessary to rest and drink plenty of water during the day to help the body eliminate the virus. Learn more about why mumps can descend into the testicles and what to do.
7. Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer rarely causes pain, however, in more advanced cases pain may arise. However, in these cases it is also common for other symptoms to appear beforehand that indicate that something is affecting the region, such as intense swelling, changes in the size of the testicles and lumps, for example. Check which signs may indicate cancer.
How to treat it: whenever cancer is suspected, it is very important to see a urologist as soon as possible, as early diagnosis improves the chances of cure. However, in almost all cases it is necessary to remove the affected testicle.
Watch the following video and see how to self-test the testicle in order to identify possible changes:
