Testicular pain / pain in the testicles

Testicular pain manifests itself as pulling, pressure or stinging in the testicle area and can be caused by a wide variety of diseases or injuries to the testes. Swelling, reddening and hardening of the testicles often accompany the testicular pain. Since testicular pain can also be a sign of serious illnesses such as testicular cancer, testicular torsions or epididymitis, sufferers should urgently consult a doctor to enable a clear determination of pain causes and to exclude far-reaching health risks.

contents

• Different pain on the testicles
• Testicular inflammation as a cause of testicular pain
• Treatment of scrotal inflammation
• Testicular pain from varicose veins and inguinal hernia
• Pain in the area of ​​the testicles due to kidney stones
• Testicular cancer as a cause of testicular pain
• Testicle contusion as a cause
• In case of testicular pain urgently consult a doctor

Different pain on the testicles

Depending on the causes of the testicular pain, the symptoms may vary considerably in their intensity and duration, although slight testicular pain may also be associated with serious illnesses, ie the intensity of the pain should not necessarily be assessed as an indication of the severity of the disease. In the opinion of the experts in this country suffers about every second man in the course of his life at least once in complaints in the area of ​​the testicles or the prostate. However, not every painful tweaking in the area of ​​the testicles must be indicative of a disease of the testicles. Thus, the complaints, perceived as testicular pain, can also be caused by diseases of the surrounding organs, which radiate into the testes. In addition, testicular pain is sometimes the result of sexual arousal without subsequent ejaculation or particularly long-lasting erections. In these cases, the complaints are referred to as so-called cavalier pain. From a medical point of view, however, these are rather harmless and the pain usually returns on its own.
In testicular pain many first think of testicular cancer. But many more causes can be responsible. (Image: estradaanton / fotolia.com)

Testicular inflammation as a cause of testicular pain

Often a testicular inflammation (orchitis) is the cause of the testicular pain, which usually occurs in conjunction with an inflammation of the epididymis (epididymitis). The inflammation is caused by viruses or bacteria and is often associated with symptoms such as swollen testicles and redness of the scrotum. Testicular pain is also a typical consequence of such inflammation. The pain starts with a slight, barely perceptible pull and increases steadily as the disease progresses. Here, the testicular and epididymal inflammations can take an acute or chronic disease course. Usually, the inflammation is accompanied by fever, urinary symptoms and other nonspecific disease symptoms. On the basis of a blood test and with the help of ultrasound examinations, an inflammation of the testes or epididymides is usually relatively easy to detect, in individual cases, however, the testes must also be surgically exposed to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment of scrotal inflammation

Depending on whether viruses or bacteria have triggered the testicle inflammation, then different treatment methods are considered. For example, in the case of a viral infection, the therapy mainly involves healing measures such as bed rest, cooling of the scrotum and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Are mumps viruses trigger the discomfort is used in conventional medicine with interferon against the inflammation. However, bacterial testicular inflammation can be treated relatively successfully with antibiotics, whereby the therapy should be started as early as possible in order to avoid the transition to a chronic course of the disease. Those affected threaten irreversible damage to the testicular tissue in chronic inflammation of the testes or epididymis, which can affect the ability to fertility to sterility. In addition, abscesses may develop during the course of the testicular inflammation, which in the worst case trigger blood poisoning. In case of complaints should urgently consult a doctor.

Testicular pain from varicose veins and inguinal hernia

A varicose vein can also cause swelling and pain in the area of ​​the testicle, whereby the vasodilation is often already visible to the naked eye. The pain typically occurs here under increased physical stress. For treatment offers an operative removal or obliteration of the varicose veins. Another possible cause of testicular pain is inguinal hernias. The pain in a hernia often radiates in the direction of the testicles and is perceived by those affected as a very painful pressure. As a result of the "rupture" of the peritoneum, the viscera presses on the spermatic cord or the blood vessels, causing pain in the area of ​​the testes. Repairing a hernia requires surgery.

Pain in the area of ​​the testicles due to kidney stones

Acute testicular pain can also be caused by kidney stones and bladder stones, which usually form as deposits in the urinary tract such as kidney, ureter and urinary bladder. In addition to testicular pain, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, urinary symptoms or blood in the urine are typical signs of kidney and bladder stones. During treatment, smaller deposits are removed as part of a bladder reflex, larger stones must be shredded using different methods and then eliminated. It may also require surgery. A further cause of acute testicular pain is testicular torsion (twisted testicles), in which a twisting of the testicles around its own axis strangulates the blood supply and thus causes massive pain. The pain is usually accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal pain, swelling of the scrotum, nausea and vomiting. If an operative treatment is not carried out immediately, in which the testicles are returned to their original position, the tissue threatens to die off within a few hours and the affected testis is subsequently to be completely removed. Testicular torsion is most common in children and adolescents, but with increasing age, the likelihood of such injury is significantly reduced.

Testicular cancer as a cause of testicular pain

In addition, the formation of tumors may be responsible for the testicular pain, in which the testicular cancer - in addition to the pain - brings tangible swelling and hardening to the testicles. In case of doubt, the diagnosis can be verified with the help of an ultrasound examination. Testicular cancer also urgently needs medical treatment, but the chances of recovery here are pleasingly high at more than 90 percent. After surgical removal of the affected testicle, radiation or chemotherapy is also used as needed, which in most cases allows successful therapy. For testicular cancer, too, the principle applies here: the earlier the diagnosis is made and treatment is started, the higher the likelihood of a successful course of therapy. According to the German Cancer Society, the cure rate for testicular cancer is up to 98 percent at an early stage.

Testicle contusion as a cause

External effects such as bumps, blows or kicks can also cause long-term pain in the area of ​​the testes. The sufferers usually suffer from a so-called testicle contusion, which is characterized by the pain, a hematoma in the area of ​​the testicles and a corresponding swelling of the scrotum. Here, too, usually helps just cool and patience. The pain can last for several days, but usually disappears by itself. The hematoma is usually accompanied by a bluish, greenish discoloration of the testicles, which, however, also decreases in the course of time. However, as the external force can cause other injuries in the area of ​​the testicles, medical support should be sought in the case of testicular contusion.

In case of testicular pain urgently consult a doctor

Overall, behind the testicular pain numerous serious diseases are stuck, which in case of doubt - such as in a testicular torsion - within a few hours require the initiation of medical measures to rule out far-reaching health risks. Men who have pain in the area of ​​the testicles should therefore not be afraid to seek immediate help from a specialist (urologist). This can usually determine the cause of the complaints in a timely manner with just a few simple steps and initiate appropriate treatment steps. The basis for a successful treatment of testicular pain is always the most precise diagnosis possible. (Fp)