TESTICLE PAIN

Pain in the testicle is difficult to treat because the cause is difficult to find. The pain can be from the testicle itself, the skin around the testicle (the scrotum), or from the nerves to the area.

Pain from the testicle is felt in the testicle or the lower abdomen above that testicle. The pain can originate in the testicle or the structure called the epididymus. This pain can be a dull ache up to a severe pain.

Pain in the scrotum can be very similar to the testis pain but it may originate from the nerves to the scrotum and be referred to the scrotum. Occasionally pain can be referred to the testicle from the kidney, as found in some patients who have a stone.

Men with testicle pain, swelling, and redness of the scrotum usually have infection in this area. Antibiotics are used to treat these problems and do a good job. It may take weeks before the tenderness and swelling disappears. The pain may linger but should be a lot less with treatment. This infection can involve the epididymus or the testicle. Either way, the initial treatment is the same.

Pain from the testicle with no swelling may mean the pain is from the testicle or referred from elsewhere. One must rule out cancer as a cause. This is done fairly simply with an ultrasound examination.

If there is no cancer, it is necessary to make sure the pain is not from the nerves to the testicle or scrotum. A physical examination helps define this problem. Referred pain can be from injury to the nerve or testis as in hernia repairs, or getting stuck, or from infections in shingles.

It is important to treat each person’s pain in an individual fashion. Everyone requires different amounts and types of pain medication. Some people are more sensitive to pain than others.