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2023 Author: Benjamin Dyson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 01:37
Testicle pain is a symptom that can affect men of all ages and can be classified as acute or chronic. Acute pain is one that comes on quickly and lasts a few hours or days, usually caused by a blow to the testicles.
Chronic pain appears slowly and lasts for several weeks or months, and may be a sign of more serious problems such as inguinal hernia, varicocele or chronic inflammatory processes, for example.
In rarer cases, this type of pain can also indicate the presence of testicular cancer, although it is more common that in cancer the man does not feel pain, being able to identify only a lump or hardened lump. Learn more about identifying testicular cancer.
7 main causes of testicle pain
The most common causes of testicular pain include:
1. Varicocele
A varicocele is a dilatation of the testicular veins that most often occurs in the left testicle, but can also affect only the right testicle 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, the pain caused by varicocele is treated with painkillers such as Paracetamol or Dipyrone. However, if there is a risk of infertility or if the pain does not improve with the use of medication, minor surgery may be necessary to "ligate" the affected veins and make the blood only circulate through he althy vessels.
2. Inguinal hernia
Inguinal hernia is very common in children and young adults, happening when a portion of the intestine, or other abdominal contents, manages to pass through a weakened area of the abdominal muscles, entering the scrotum and causing swelling and constant pain, which it can get worse when lifting, bending over or lifting weights, for example.
How to treat: the only form of treatment available is to perform surgery for inguinal hernia, which allows you to replace the portion of the intestine in the correct place and strengthen the abdominal muscles. Learn 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 its symptoms are severe pain, swelling of the testicle, redness and fever with chills.
How to treat: it is necessary to consult the urologist to assess the need to start the use of antibiotics, which may be ceftriaxone or quinolones (generally ciprofloxacin), and the period of treatment.
4. Testicular torsion
Testicle 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 It may just be constant discomfort or intense pain that comes and goes with movement. See other common sprain symptoms.
How to treat: in case of suspected torsion of the testicle, it is important to go quickly to the emergency room to confirm the diagnosis and perform surgery to replace the testicle in 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 not being able to empty the bladder. However, it is also common to feel pain in the testicle, which worsens when palpating the region.
How to treat: A good way to relieve pain is to take a 15-minute sitz bath and practice kegel exercises, however, this is almost always necessary. taking antibiotics prescribed by the urologist, such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin.
6. Mumps
Although mumps usually affects the parotid glands, which are 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 may arise after a mumps situation, due to the migration of the virus.
How to treat: Anti-inflammatory and pain relievers 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 travel down to 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 out what signs can indicate cancer.
How to treat: whenever there is a suspicion of cancer, it is very important to consult a urologist as soon as possible, since early diagnosis improves the chances of cure. However, in almost all cases it is necessary to remove the affected testicle.
