Pain or discomfort in the testicles upon touch can be concerning. While sometimes minor, such tenderness can also signal a more significant underlying condition requiring professional medical evaluation. Understanding the potential reasons, from everyday occurrences to more serious health concerns, can help guide individuals toward appropriate care. It is always advisable to consult a healthcare provider if pain persists or causes worry.
Everyday Reasons for Discomfort
Testicular pain upon touch often stems from common, less severe causes that may resolve with simple measures. Mild trauma, even a minor impact, can lead to bruising, swelling, and temporary pain in the testicles. The testicles are highly sensitive, so even slight injury can cause discomfort.
Inflammation of the epididymis, a coiled tube behind the testicle that stores and carries sperm, is known as epididymitis. This condition commonly causes tenderness, swelling, and warmth in the scrotum, with pain ranging from mild to severe. Epididymitis is frequently caused by bacterial infections, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or urinary tract infections. Swelling can sometimes persist for weeks or even months after starting antibiotic treatment.
Another common cause is a hydrocele, which involves the accumulation of fluid around one or both testicles within the scrotum. While often painless, a hydrocele can lead to swelling and sometimes tenderness. Similarly, varicoceles are enlarged veins within the scrotum, resembling varicose veins in the legs. These can cause a dull, aching sensation or discomfort that might worsen with prolonged standing or activity.
Sometimes, pain felt in the testicles originates from another part of the body, known as referred pain. For example, a groin strain or nerve compression can manifest as tenderness in the testicles. Kidney stones, as they move through the urinary tract, can also cause referred pain that radiates to the testicles.
Conditions Requiring Attention
While many causes of testicular pain are not life-threatening, certain conditions demand prompt medical evaluation. Testicular torsion is a medical emergency that occurs when the spermatic cord, which supplies blood to the testicle, twists. This cuts off blood flow, leading to sudden, severe pain, swelling, and extreme tenderness. It is most common in teenagers and requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent damage or loss of the testicle.
Testicular cancer, although often painless in its early stages, can present as a lump or swelling that becomes painful or tender. Any new lump, change in size, or alteration in the texture of a testicle warrants immediate medical attention. Orchitis refers to inflammation of the testicle, often resulting from a bacterial or viral infection like mumps. This condition can cause severe pain, swelling, tenderness, and may be accompanied by fever.
An inguinal hernia occurs when a portion of the intestine or other tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles, sometimes extending into the scrotum. This can create a noticeable bulge and cause pain or discomfort that may intensify with coughing or straining. If the hernia becomes incarcerated or strangulated, cutting off blood supply, it becomes a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate surgery.
Kidney stones, beyond causing referred pain, can also present with symptoms such as blood in the urine, burning during urination, nausea, or sharp pain radiating from the back to the groin. While small stones may pass on their own, larger ones might necessitate medical intervention. The testicular discomfort from kidney stones is typically a result of the stone moving through the urinary tract.
Recognizing When to Get Help
Knowing when to seek medical attention for testicular pain is important, as some symptoms indicate a need for immediate evaluation. Contact a healthcare provider without delay if you experience sudden, severe, or worsening pain in one or both testicles. Pain accompanied by fever, nausea, or vomiting also warrants prompt medical consultation.
Visible swelling, redness, or warmth of the scrotum are signs that require professional assessment. The presence of a new lump, or any change in the testicle’s size or texture, should also be evaluated. Even seemingly minor pain that occurs after an injury, especially if it persists for more than an hour, needs medical attention.
Pain that continues for more than a few days, even if mild, should prompt a visit to a healthcare professional. Difficulty urinating, painful urination, or the presence of blood in the urine or semen alongside testicular pain are concerning symptoms that require a medical examination.
Medical Assessment and Diagnosis
When seeking medical help for testicular pain, a healthcare provider will typically begin by taking a detailed medical history, asking about the pain’s onset, duration, nature, and any associated symptoms. A thorough physical examination will then be performed, including examining the abdomen, groin, and scrotum to check for tenderness, swelling, or lumps. The doctor may also evaluate the testicles while the patient is standing and lying down.
To identify potential infections, urine tests are commonly ordered. A urinalysis can help detect bacteria, which might indicate a urinary tract infection or a sexually transmitted infection. In some cases, a swab test may be performed to specifically check for STI pathogens.
An ultrasound of the scrotum is a frequently used imaging technique to visualize the testicles and surrounding structures. This non-invasive test can help diagnose conditions such as testicular torsion by assessing blood flow, identify fluid collections like hydroceles, or detect masses that could be tumors. An ultrasound can also show increased blood flow in inflammatory conditions like epididymitis.
Blood tests may also be conducted if an infection or other systemic issues are suspected. These tests can reveal signs of inflammation or infection. Depending on the findings from these assessments, the healthcare provider will determine the underlying cause of the pain and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.