Dear Dr.
I have been having pain in my testes for two weeks now. Please, what do I do?
KC
Testicle or testicular pain occurs in or around one or both testicles. Sometimes, testicle pain actually originates from somewhere else in the groin or abdomen, and is felt in one or both testicles (referred pain).
It has a number of possible causes. The testicles are very sensitive, and even a minor injury can cause testicle pain or discomfort. Testicle pain may arise from within the testicle itself or from the coiled tube and supporting tissue behind the testicle (epididymis).
Sometimes, what seems to be testicle pain is caused by a problem that starts in the groin, abdomen or somewhere else – for example, kidney stones and some hernias may cause testicle pain.
The causes of testicle pain can include:
• Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes)
• Epididymitis (testicle inflammation)
• Gangrene (specifically, a type of gangrene called Fournier’s gangrene)
• Henoch-Schonlein purpura (blood vessel inflammation)
• Testicle injury or blow to the testicles
• Testicular cancer
• Kidney cysts (enlargement or rupture)
• Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)
• Vasectomy
Sudden, severe testicle pain can be a sign of testicular torsion – a twisted testicle that can quickly lose its blood supply. This condition requires immediate medical treatment to prevent loss of the testicle. Testicular torsion can occur in males of any age, although it is more common in children and young adolescents.
You may need to seek immediate medical attention, if the pain is severe; if the pain is accompanied by nausea, fever, chills or blood in your urine or if there is a lump or swelling in or around a testicle.
These measures may help relieve mild testicle pain:
• Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), unless your doctor has given you other instructions. Never give aspirin to your child without talking to a doctor first.
• Support the scrotum with an athletic supporter. Use a folded towel for support when you are lying down.
