Most guys are pretty good at talking about (and reporting) pain in their nether regions.
Much has been done to raise awareness amongst men of various diseases that can effect their reproductive bits and pieces.
This is a brief overview of some of the main conditions that can cause testicular pain and should be used in conjunction with a visit to your GP should you be worried.
Torsion -
This is when the spermatic cord carrying blood to the testicles twists either as a result of trauma, a growth spurt during puberty, or a deformity resulting in excess movement of the testicles within the scrotal sac. Blood flow is affected and the testicles can start to die.
Most common in adolescent males, symptoms include pain and swelling to the scrotum on one or both sides, with one side possibly raised up. You may have abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever and it may be painful to urinate. There may also be blood in the semen.
Torsion is a medical emergency and so help should be sought straight away.
Surgical repair is usually necessary although the cord can be manually untwisted. The testicle can be sown into place to prevent any further rotation.
Epididymitis -
The epididymis is a coiled tube at the back of the testicle which stores and carries sperm. Epididimytis is an inflammation of these tubes usually caused by infection. It is characterised by sudden pain, tenderness, swelling and heat in the scrotum on one or both sides. This can be accompanied by a build up of fluid called a hydrocele, causing a lump. It may be quite difficult or painful to urinate which could implicate a urinary tract infection as the cause. Other causes include sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea, mumps, trauma to the groin and tuberculosis.
Rest and antibiotics (treating the underlying cause) usually treats the condition successfully.
Hernia -
An inguinal (groin) hernia is when the lower abdominal wall weakens and intestinal tissue can poke through and press on the scrotum, causing pain. See diagram opposite for a better representation.
The bulge is often more painful when coughing or lifting a heavy object.
Although not directly dangerous to health, it does necessitate surgical repair as it is unlikely to heal on its own.
Tumor -
Most common in men aged between 15-35 years, testicular cancer is characterised by a lump or swelling on one of the testicles. This can be accompanied by pain, heaviness and texture change within the scrotum.
Symptoms overlap with other more benign conditions and less than 4% of scrotal lumps turn out to be cancerous.
See your GP at the onset of signs or symptoms to get a full examination and treatment for a better prognosis.
Rupture/ haematocele -
Caused by trauma such as a kick during a fight, fall or sports injuries, the testicles can rupture and bleed. Any bleeding (haematoma) or blood filled area (haematocele) must be located to see if it is coming from the body of the testes or the scrotal sac. An ultrasound can quickly diagnose the location and extent of the damage.
Rest, elevation and ice treatment is usually all that is needed but surgical investigation may be necessary to repair, drain, untwist or remove any trauma site.
Testicular pain can also be a result of a kidney stone on the move or sometimes the cause is unknown (idiopathic).
Below are some links to informative websites that may offer more information.
If you are in any doubt about the cause of your pain please see your GP asap.
The earlier you go, the better the outcome for any cause of symptoms.
www.healthline.com/symptom/pain-in-testicle
www.testicularcancer.org/self-exam
www.healthline.com/symptom/pain-in-testicle
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-testicle/Pages/Symptoms.aspx
For osteopathy in High Wycombe and beyond please call Lucy from OsteoFusion on 07833 321604 or visit www.osteofusion.co.uk
Thanks for reading.