Causes of testicular pain & how to manage it

Testicular pain could be an embarrassing complaint to most men, but in cases of continuous testicular pain, you should seek medical consultation as it may be serious. It's important to diagnose the cause of testicular pain.

Common causes of testicular pain

• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as syphilis or gonorrhea.
• Testicular infection or inflammation (orchitis).
• Testicular tumors.
• Urinary tract infection (UTI).
• Direct trauma to the testicles.
• Testicular pain may develop in cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
• Varicocele & hydrocele.

Some investigations should be done to find the proper diagnosis, they include; complete urine analysis, urine culture, and pelvi-abdominal ultrasound with a focus on the testicles.

The first step of management of testicular pain usually consists of rest and anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs (such as paracetamol or ibuprofen) as well as a hot fomentation on the affected area. Also, physiotherapy will be helpful if the pain is accompanied by pelvic floor muscle spasms. Antibiotics should be prescribed if there is a bacterial infection.

In resistant cases surgery is recommended; it's called spermatic cord denervation. The surgeon makes a small incision in the lower abdomen to cut the nerve supply reaching the testicles. This procedure helps in eliminating the testicular pain completely.