What causes testicular pain in men?

Testicular pain may be caused by orchitis, epididymitis, varicocele, testicular torsion, trauma, etc. It can be relieved by anti-infective treatment, surgical reduction, and analgesic drugs. It is recommended to seek medical treatment promptly to determine the cause of the disease to avoid delays in treatment.

1. Orchitis

Orchitis is mostly caused by bacterial or viral infection. Common pathogens include Escherichia coli, mumps virus, etc. Patients may experience unilateral testicular swelling, heat, and obvious tenderness, which may be accompanied by fever and chills. Treatment requires the use of antibiotics such as ceftriaxone sodium for injection and levofloxacin tablets as directed by the doctor. In the acute stage, bed rest and a scrotum support belt are required to reduce the feeling of swelling.

2. Epididymitis

Epididymitis is often secondary to urinary tract infection or prostatitis and manifests as epididymal induration and tenderness that radiates to the groin. Epididymal cysts may form in the chronic phase. Doxycycline hydrochloride tablets and azithromycin dispersible tablets can be used for anti-infective treatment, combined with local hot compress to relieve symptoms. During treatment, sexual intercourse should be prohibited and the perineum should be kept clean.

3. Varicocele

Obstruction of spermatic vein return may lead to swelling and pain in the scrotum, which worsens after standing for a long time. Physical examination can reveal vermiform varicose veins on the surface of the scrotum. Mild cases can be improved by wearing special braces, while moderate to severe cases require laparoscopic high spermatic vein ligation. Those with combined infertility need to take Shengjing Capsules and other drugs to improve sperm quality.

4. Testicular torsion

Testicular torsion is a urological emergency. Sudden severe pain accompanied by elevated testicular position. Failure to reset within 6 hours may lead to testicular necrosis. Diagnosis requires immediate manual reduction or orchiopexy. Delay in treatment may affect fertility function. Adolescent males should be highly vigilant if they experience sudden pain after strenuous exercise.

5. Trauma or tumor

Scrotal impact injury can cause hematoma and persistent pain, and ultrasound is required to rule out testicular rupture. Testicular tumors may only present as dull pain in the early stages. When a hard mass is touched, tumor marker testing should be performed promptly. After the diagnosis is confirmed, radical resection or radiotherapy and chemotherapy are selected according to the pathological type.

You should avoid riding or sitting for long periods of time every day, and choose loose and breathable cotton underwear. If pain persists for more than 24 hours, is accompanied by hematuria or fever, you must seek immediate medical attention from a urology department. Regular physical examinations including scrotal ultrasound examination can help detect lesions early. Testicular self-examination can be performed monthly in the bath, paying attention to whether the size and hardness of both sides are symmetrical.