• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Testicle pain

• Overview
• Treatment

Definition:

Testicle pain is discomfort in one or both testicles . The pain sometimes radiates to the lower abdomen.

Alternative Names:

Pain - testicle(s)

Considerations:

The testicles sit inside the scrotum . They are very sensitive. Even a minor injury can cause pain or discomfort to the testicles. Sudden, severe testicle pain, however, requires immediate medical care.

If a young man has abdominal pain , the scrotum should always be carefully examined. Abdominal pain may occur before testicle pain in some conditions, including testicular torsion . This is a twisting of the testicles that can cut off the blood supply and cause tissue to die. Testicular torsion is an emergency that needs to be treated within hours.

Testicular cancer is usually painless. But any testicle lump should be evaluated by your doctor, whether or not there is pain.

Common Causes:

Common causes of testicle pain include:

• Injury
• Infection or inflammation
• Testicular torsion -- most common in young men between 10 and 20 years old

Possible infections include:

• Epididymitis -- inflammation of the ducts through which sperm leaves the testicle. This is often caused by bacteria like chlamydia , a sexually transmitted disease.
• Orchitis -- inflammation of one or both testicles, which may be caused by bacteria or a virus like mumps . Orchitis can occur at the same time as epididymitis or prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland).

Fluid in the testicles often causes painless swelling, but may cause mild discomfort. There are several main types of fluid collection:

• Varicocele -- enlarged veins in the scrotum that carry blood away from the testicles.
• Spermatocele -- fluid in the epididymis that forms a cyst and often contains dead sperm cells.
• Hydrocele -- fluid in the area inside the scrotum, surrounding the testicle; common in newborns.

Pain may also be caused by a hernia or an unrelieved erection.

References:

Kodner C. Sexually transmitted infections in men. Prim Care . 2003; 30(1): 173-191.

Dogra V. Acute painful scrotum. Radiol Clin North Am . 2004; 42(2): 349-363.

• Review Date: 1/24/2006
• Reviewed By: David R. Knowles, M.D., Advanced Urologic Surgeons, Mt. Vernon, IL. Reviewprovided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.