Common Causes
The pain can reside in either the right or left testicle and be associated with testicular swelling, lower abdomen pain, and burning when urinating. Sharp pain in one testicle can be caused by testicular torsion, an injury to the groin, a bacterial infection, or prostatitis. Read below for more causes and treatment options.
Related Conditions
Why testicles hurt. Testicles are one of the most sensitive parts of a man’s body. That’s because the entire region is packed with nerves. Testicle pain can range from sudden, intense pain to a dull ache. It can be an emergency, because it may mean that something is blocking blood flow to your testicles.
What does sharp pain in one of my testicles mean?
What can cause testicle pain?
- Less common cause types. Less common causes of pain in one testicle includes the following. ...
- Rare and unusual pain in one testicle causes. ...
- Epididymitis. ...
- Intermittent testicular torsion. ...
- Testicular torsion. ...
- Groin nerve irritation. ...
- Chronic prostatitis. ...
- Non-serious testicle injury. ...
- Groin hernia. ...
- Urinary tract infection. ...
Why would one testicle hurt?
What can cause testicle pain?
- Most common cause types. The most common causes of pain in one testicle include the following. ...
- Less common cause types. ...
- Rare and unusual pain in one testicle causes. ...
- Epididymitis. ...
- Intermittent testicular torsion. ...
- Testicular torsion. ...
- Groin nerve irritation. ...
- Chronic prostatitis. ...
- Non-serious testicle injury. ...
- Groin hernia. ...
What would cause pain in the testicles?
What causes testicular pain that comes and goes?
Should I be worried if one testicle hurts?
Seek immediate treatment in the emergency room or call 911 if you have sudden, severe pain and obvious swelling in one testicle, especially with no apparent cause. This set of symptoms is usually due to torsion. Treatment must begin within two to four hours at most, or there can be a loss of blood supply.
What can cause one of your balls to hurt?
Causes of testicle pain or pain in the testicle area can include:Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes)Epididymitis (testicle inflammation)Hydrocele (fluid buildup that causes swelling of the scrotum)Idiopathic testicular pain (unknown cause)Inguinal hernia.Kidney stones.Mumps.More items...
Can testicle pain go away on its own?
Sometimes, chronic testicular pain goes away on its own, but there is no way to predict if it will go away, or when it may return. Sudden testicular pain can signal an emergency and may be a dangerous condition. For sudden testicular pain, seek medical help immediately.
When should you go to the doctor for testicle pain?
Sudden, severe testicle pain needs immediate medical care. Contact your provider right away or go to an emergency room if: Your pain is severe or sudden. You have had an injury or trauma to the scrotum, and you still have pain or swelling after 1 hour.
Can Covid make your balls hurt?
Testicular pain as the first symptom of COVID-19 may suggest orchitis as possible in men patients with SARS-CoV- infection. Further studies are necessary on the pathological effect of SARS-CoV-2 in the male reproductive system and to ensure a proper andrological follow-up for male patients.
Can sperm build up cause pain?
The penis ejaculates semen during sexual intercourse. A spermatocele is unlikely to cause complications. However, if your spermatocele is painful or has grown so large that it's causing you discomfort, you might need to have surgery to remove the spermatocele.
How do I check myself for testicular torsion?
Signs and symptoms of testicular torsion include:Sudden, severe pain in the scrotum — the loose bag of skin under your penis that contains the testicles.Swelling of the scrotum.Abdominal pain.Nausea and vomiting.A testicle that's positioned higher than normal or at an unusual angle.Frequent urination.Fever.
Is it possible to strain a testicle?
An injury can rupture or tear the tough, protective covering surrounding the testicle and damage the testicle. This is called a testicular rupture or fracture. Contusion. When an accident injures blood vessels in the testicle, it can cause a contusion, which may involve swelling, bleeding and bruising.
Why do my testicles hurt?
Testicle pain can range from sudden, intense pain to a dull ache. It can be an emergency, because it may mean that something is blocking blood flow to your testicles. Common causes of testicle pain are a long bike ride ...
What are the symptoms of a testicle torsion?
Symptoms. Sudden, severe testicle pain. Groin swelling. Nausea or vomiting. Torsion refers to abnormal twisting of the spermatic cord, which holds blood vessels, nerves, and ducts for transporting sperm between the abdomen and the testicle.
What is a swollen testicle?
Dull, achy testicle pain. Large hydroceles may restrict movement. A hydrocele is swelling that occurs when fluid collects inside a thin sheath of the scrotum. Testicles originally develop in the abdomen and move down to the scrotum, leaving a path for abdominal fluid to collect in the scrotum.
What is the best treatment for testicular pain?
Antibiotics treat testicular pain caused by bacteria, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, or a UTI. A doctor may perform an ultrasound test to make sure that the blood flow to your testicles is not blocked and to see if there is any fluid buildup in the area.
When to call a doctor for testicular torsion?
When to call the doctor. Because the testicles are very sensitive and vulnerable to damage, you need to see a doctor when you have any type of testicular pain. When the problem is testicular torsion, you could have irreversible damage and possibly even lose a testicle.
How to diagnose epididymitis?
Your doctor diagnoses epididymitis with a physical exam, urine or blood tests, and imaging tests to rule out other causes. In some cases, epididymitis can create an abscess that needs to be drained. Epididymitis is treated with antibiotics. 2.
Where does UTI occur?
A UTI is an infection that can occur in the urethra (the tube for urine and semen in the penis), as well as the bladder, ureters (tubes connecting the bladder to the kidneys), and kidneys. Infection along the urethra can sometimes track backwards into the branch of the urethra that leads to the testicles. 3.
Why do my testicles hurt?
Testicular pain can be caused by sudden injury, inflammation, sexually transmitted infections or an emergency condition called testicular torsion (twisting). This condition can cause a dull ache in the scrotum, sometimes along with swelling. Pain in the testicles can also be a sign of more serious problems like testicular cancer.
Why does my testicle hurt after a vasectomy?
This pain can be caused by higher pressure in the vas deferens (tubes carrying sperm) or epididymis and can result in a post-vasectomy pain syndrome.
How do you know if you have epididymitis?
Symptoms may include: Pain: Testicular pain can feel different depending on the cause. A sudden injury results in sharp, sudden pain, followed by a dull ache. The pain of epididymitis can worsen with time. Kidney stones can cause sharp pains in the back that spread to the testicles and to the tip of the penis.
How long does epididymis last?
Epididymitis symptoms include pain and inflammation. The scrotum may be swollen and hot to the touch. This can last for days to weeks . Chronic epididymitis lasts longer than six weeks.
What age do you get testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer: Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15-35. It can sometimes present with a dull ache or pain in the groin or testicles, testicular swelling or heaviness and aching in the lower abdomen or scrotum. Imaging methods can be used to examine the testicles for signs of testicular cancer.
What is the twisting of the blood supply to the testicle?
Testicular torsion: Torsion is the twisting of the blood supply to the testicle. This cuts off the blood supply to the testicle and results in a severe, sharp pain. Torsion can occur at any time. This condition needs immediate surgery to save the testicle.
What is the term for the pain in the stomach?
The pain may be coming from another part of your body such as the stomach or groin. This type of pain is called referred pain. Testicular pain can be either acute (sudden and short) or chronic (gradual and long-lasting).
What test is done to check for testicular pain?
We may even run a urine test, scrotal ultrasound, or blood test to confirm the cause of your testicular pain.
Why is it important to cut the nerve inside the testicle?
For this procedure, we dissect the nerve inside the spermatic cord because it supplies the testicle with nerves. Cutting this nerve can successfully reduce the pain by 50 percent or greater.
How long does it take to block spermatic cord?
A spermatic cord block is a two-minute procedure where we grasp the spermatic cord through the skin and insert a small needle with local anesthesia into it. If the anesthesia makes the testicular pain better, we recommend proceeding with a microscopic denervation of the spermatic cord.
What is the spermatic cord?
The spermatic cord contains arteries, nerves, the vas deferens, and lymphatic vessels. We cut the nerves under an operating microscope and keep the testicular arteries, lymphatics, and vas deferens intact. This method preserves the testicle’s blood supply and blocks the nerve transmission from the testicle.
Why does my brain misinterpret pain?
Since pain can exist in any body part for a long time, your brain may misinterpret any stimulation or feeling in that area as pain. This type of miscommunication is often a result of old trauma, an infection, or neurologic problems like diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes).
What causes erectile dysfunction?
Conditions like vascular disease, surgery, diabetes, and medications are some of the top causes of erectile dysfunction. If you suffer from ED, schedule an evaluation with your doctor and get the help you need
Is spermatic cord denervation painful?
As with any procedure, there are risks to a spermatic cord denervation, such as: no pain relief, hydrocele formation (fluid accumulation in the testicles), loss or compromise of the testis, and. numbness of the scrotum and inner thigh on the operated side.
What causes testicular pain?
Here are 9 common causes of testicular pain. Kidney Stones. Hernia. Varicoceles. Prostate Cancer. Testicular Tumor. Epididymitis. Orchitis.
How painful is a testicle torsion?
Testicular Torsion. Testicular torsion occurs when the testicle rotates, cutting off the blood supply to the scrotum. It is extremely painful and requires surgery to save the testicle. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include: Sudden, severe pain in the scrotum. Swelling of the scrotum. Abdominal pain.
What to do if you have a testicular tumor?
If it turns out that you do have a testicular tumor, a urologist can perform surgery to remove the tumor. The important thing about the symptoms, and any other, is that you need to report them sooner rather than later. Waiting to go to the doctor for testicular pain can have major consequences.
What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction. Pain in the back, pelvis, or chest. Weak stream of urination. Any of these signs should be taken seriously. If you feel that multiple symptoms are affecting you then you need to see a urologist. Importantly, if you find any blood in the urine you should immediately contact your doctor.
How old do you have to be to lose your testicle?
Testicle torsion is an emergency, often occurring in young men between the ages of 18 to 21. The pain will be sudden and extreme. Immediately contact your doctor and go to the hospital. Otherwise, you can lose that testicle.
Why do seamen have epididymis?
The epididymis allows seamen to mature before ejaculation. Epididymis can cause sexually transmitted diseases and urinary tract infections. If you have had sex lately with a partner and now start to feel pain, it can be a good time to get tested.
Can a syringe cause pain in the penis?
They can cause testicular pain in several ways. According to Medical News Today, they can cause blood in the urine, burning when urinating, nausea, pain at the tip of the penis, cramping pains, urinating frequently, and vomiting.
Why do the left side of the scrotum and testicles compress?
The reason is because the veins on the left side of the scrotum and testicles are anatomically structured differently than the veins on the right are. Specifically, two arteries compress the left renal vein, which impedes blood coming into the vein from the spermatic vein. If the venous valves are dysfunctional, ...
What causes varicocele in the right side of the venous system?
If the venous valves are dysfunctional, there is backpressure and the veins dilate, resulting in a varicocele. [ii] In comparison, veins on the right side have a straighter path. On the right side, the spermatic vein flows directly into the inferior vena cava, allowing for a more free-flowing path. [ii]
How long does it take to get an embolized varicocele?
While embolization can be done on an outpatient basis, men who undergo a surgical procedure to treat their varicocele may be required to stay overnight in the hospital. [iii] Another difference is the actual time each procedure takes. An embolization procedure takes around 1 hour, but surgery takes around 4 hours.
What is bilateral varicocele?
Typically, bilateral varicocele is identified with the enlarged right testicle remaining smaller in size than the left. The left side may be a grade 2 or 3 varicocele with the right side a grade 1. [v]
Can you have both sides of a varicocele repaired?
For those with bilateral varicocele, a huge advantage to embolization is that it allows men to have both sides repaired during the same procedure, through one puncture site. [iii] Men who choose surgery to repair bilateral varicocele can have both repaired at the same time, but will have two separate, open incisions.
Is varicocele painful?
Although varicocele can be painful, it typically isn’t something that’s considered serious, and the good news is the condition can be treated. [iv] Many men begin developing varicocele during puberty. In fact the overall incidence rate for adolescent boys is between 10 and 20%.
Can varicocele cause testicular pain?
Most often, varicocele treatment immediately ends pain in the testicles. Only your doctor can determine what may be causing your testicular pain, and if the diagnosis is varicocele, rest assured that it is a very treatable condition that in most cases doesn’t require surgery. Sources:
What is it called when you have an undescended testicle?
Testicular regression syndrome. In some cases, an undescended testicle may be the result of testicular regression syndrome. This condition is also known as vanishing testes syndrome. It involves the “disappearance” of one or both testicles shortly before or after birth.
Can a scrotum be damaged?
Injuries to your scrotum can damage one or both of your testicles. If one or both become nonfunctional, you may need surgery. Infection. If you have a serious viral or bacterial infection affecting one or both of your testicles, you may need and orchiectomy if antibiotics don’t do the trick.
Can you live with only one testicle?
Usually, people can live with just one of these organs while maintaining a healthy, normal life. Testicles are no different. But it’s still important to regularly follow up with a doctor, especially if you have an undescended testicle.