Testicular Pain
Testicular pain is basically any pain that originates from the testicles. There can be many causes of this including infection, inflammation, torsion (twisting of testicle), trauma, cancer, kidney stones, prostate issues, hernia, lumbar back issues, and many other causes. There is one medical emergency with testicular pain- if you have torsion. This would be severe pain due to twisting of the testicle. It can happen with trauma or activity or can happen while sleeping. It usually affects boys and men from birth to 35 years old. It usually happens to children, but if you suspect this condition, go to the ER immediately.
The most common cause of testicular pain is epididymitis. This is inflammation of the epididymis, which sits behind the testicle. If you do get testicular pain, it is important to be evaluated by your doctor. If the pain is severe go to the ER, otherwise see you doctor or urologist for treatment.
Symptoms:
- Pain to the testicle- usually radiates to the groin or lower abdomen
Causes:
There are many causes of pain to the testicle including:
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Cysts
- Varicocele- varicose veins of the testicle
- Hydrocele- fluid around the testicle
- Epididymal issues- cysts, inflammation, trauma
- Trauma
- Cancer
- Hernia
- Low back nerve issues
- Kidney stones
- Prostate issues
Evaluation and Treatment:
A physical exam and history can usually determine the cause of testicular pain. A scrotal ultrasound can be ordered to confirm or rule out uncertain causes.
The treatment depends on what is causing the pain. In general, most testicular pain can be treated with heat or an ice pack, anti-inflammatory medication, and scrotal support.
Dr. Shaba may also incorporate antibiotics, physical therapy, steroids or even surgery depending on what is causing the pain or how chronic it has become. In some cases when the pain doesn’t resolve we can use the expertise of a pain specialist who can use radio frequency ablation or injections to numb the nerve.
Scrotal surgery is outpatient surgery and generally takes less than an hour to perform. Dr. Shaba does many procedures to help with testicular pain including:
- Varicocelectomy- removing varicocele
- Hydrocelectomy- removing hydrocele
- Epididymal cyst and spermatocele removal
- Epididymectomy – removal of the epidydimis
- Orchiopexy- fixing the testicle in place
- Orchiectomy- removal of testicle
- Scrotal cyst removal
- Testicular implants
If you have a hernia or low back pain you will need to see a general surgeon or a back specialist.
For more information please visit: https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/all-conditions
