Why testicles can hurt in men and how to cure it

The health of the organs of the reproductive system of men depends on many factors. Deviations in their functioning can be caused not only by internal disturbances, but also by mechanical damage. The most vulnerable testicles are paired glands that produce male hormones and sperm. When they are injured, the ability to produce these substances is impaired, which affects not only sexual capabilities and the ability to fertilize, but also the general state of health.

Main functions of the testicles

The testicles, also called the testicles or testicles, are the male sex glands. Each of them is located in the scrotum - its right and left parts. The testicles are attached to the spermatic cords, which are made up of muscles, nerves, lymphatics, and blood vessels. The right testicle is slightly higher than the left.

The testicles consist of soft tissue, divided by a thin connective septum into peculiar lobules. The seminiferous tubules are located in them, where sperm production occurs, and between them the process of producing the hormone testosterone occurs.

The constant formation of male germ cells makes the process of fertilization of the egg possible. The production of testosterone in the testicles is also very important for the health of men, because this hormone is responsible for the growth of the body and muscles, the development of the body as a whole according to the male type, and the formation of sexual desire.

When the testicles are damaged for any reason, the ability to produce hormones and sex cells is reduced. This can happen at any age. To avoid complications, you should immediately consult a doctor if you experience pain in the testicles.

Why do testicles hurt?

The causes of testicular pain in men are numerous. They can be both relatively harmless, associated with defective ejaculation after arousal, and dangerous, being a consequence of the development of malignant tumors or trauma to the external genital organs.

The reasons why the testicles hurt are as follows:

• Injury to the perineum or scrotum. If the blow or bruise was not too intense, the pain in the testicle is sharp, but passes quickly enough. At the same time, even a slight mechanical impact contributes to hemorrhage into the scrotal cavity, due to which its skin turns red and thickens. Such phenomena pass in a few days. With a severe injury, the integrity of the testes is violated. The pain in this case is so pronounced and painful that the victim may lose consciousness. A severe injury can lead to the fact that the gonad completely loses its functions - in the future this is fraught with infertility;
• Inflammatory processes occurring in the testicles or their appendages. This may be epididymitis caused by the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the epididymis. In this case, the patient complains not only of pain, but also that the testicles are swollen. Also, the pathological process can occur as a result of inflammation of the glandular tissue. This phenomenon is called orchitis. This disease, which is a complication of influenza, gonorrhea and others, can affect one or both testicles at once and cause infertility. With orchitis, the skin of the testes turns red, the scrotum swells, the man has a fever, there is general weakness and constant thirst;
• Abstinence. In this case, pulling pain in the testicles in men appears due to the fact that when excited, the penis fills with blood, and the ductal system is activated - all this indicates readiness for ejaculation. If this does not happen, unpleasant sensations appear in the testicles. Unlike cases when pain is caused by pathological processes, discomfort in the testicles during prolonged abstinence is not accompanied by general weakness, loss of appetite, dizziness, and changes in the color of urine. This problem does not require treatment, it can be solved either through sexual intercourse or through masturbation. Another way to eliminate discomfort is to take a painkiller tablet;
• Frequent interruptions of intercourse or lack of ejaculation after prolonged arousal, neurological pathologies and inflammatory diseases of the digestive system - all these factors can explain why the testicles hurt after sex;
• Varicocele is a pathological expansion of the veins and vessels of the penis, due to their insufficiency. This disease is often encountered by adolescents in adolescence. If the testicle hurts precisely for this reason, then the disease is at an advanced stage, and this is fraught with amputation of the organ. Varicocele is also accompanied by an increase in the size of one of the halves of the scrotum;
• Inguinal hernia. With infringement, acute pain is observed, a specific protrusion in the groin, which increases with physical exertion and takes its former shape after taking a horizontal position. If infringement of the hernial contents does not occur, there is a dull pain that radiates to the abdomen, side, region of the lower limb;
• Hydrocele, or hydrocele. This phenomenon is characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the membranes of the testicles, which is associated with impaired circulation. The disease can be hereditary or occur with inflammatory pathologies, the development of tumors, after injuries of the external genital organs. If the testicle has increased, then the presence of a hydrocele can be suspected. Another symptom characteristic of this pathology is a sharp pain that occurs when touching the testes;
• Testicular torsion. This phenomenon usually occurs in boys aged 7-10 years and is characterized by twisting of the spermatic cord, which leads to blocking of the local blood flow and squeezing of the duct. Pain in this case occurs only in one of the testes. Unpleasant sensations are aggravated by walking or by pressing on the affected area. There may be redness of the scrotum and an increase in one of its sides, as well as a burning sensation. Such a deviation is corrected either by external reduction of the testicle, or by using surgical methods;
• The development of a malignant tumor. The pathological process can spread both to the glandular tissue and to the excretory ducts. In this case, the testicles in men hurt only when the neoplasm has become large;
• Inflammation of the prostate. If the testicles hurt during prostatitis, then this is one of the leading symptoms of the disease;
• Inflammatory diseases in the pelvic organs cause pain in the lower abdomen in men and in the testes;
• Hypothermia. The consequence of exposure to low temperatures can be aching pain in the testicles in men. In some cases, there is an increase in body temperature.

If a man notices pain in the testicles, as well as external changes - an increase in their size, redness, swelling - you should immediately consult a doctor in order to identify the cause of the pathological manifestations as soon as possible and begin appropriate treatment.

Characteristic features of pain

In the process of diagnosis, the nature of the pain that occurs in the testicular region is of great importance. Depending on where it radiates, preliminary conclusions can be drawn about the nature of the occurrence of unpleasant sensations.

1. In the event that the pain radiates to the lumbar region or to the abdomen, the presence of an inflammatory process that occurs in the epididymis is suspected;
2. If the pain radiates to the side, urolithiasis or inguinal hernia may occur;
3. When the pain radiates to the lower limb, twisting of the spermatic cord or bruising of the testicle, followed by hemorrhage into it, is suspected.

If the testicles are reddened and pain and discomfort are felt in them, it is urgent to undergo diagnostic measures as prescribed by the doctor. Delay in this case can lead to infertility, since the ejaculate will not contain mobile spermatozoa, impaired potency or amputation of the penis.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnosis of cases in which the testicle hurts and pulls is made by a urologist and andrologist. A man needs to go through the following activities:

• A general blood test, thanks to which a specialist can identify an inflammatory process;
• Analysis of semen for infections to determine the presence and type of pathogenic microorganisms;
• Analysis of the spermogram, which allows you to evaluate the activity of spermatozoa and identify bacteria;
• Ultrasound of the scrotum, which allows you to identify tumor neoplasms;
• Taking a smear from the urethra to identify pathogens;
• Puncture (puncture biopsy) to determine the nature of diseases of the testes, appendages;
• Palpation to detect tumors or enlargement of the testes;
• Ultrasound of the kidneys and ureters to detect formations that impede the flow of urine;
• CT and MRI to rule out misdiagnosis.

Before carrying out diagnostic measures, the patient is not recommended to take painkillers, conduct warming or cooling procedures.

Treatment Methods

Treatment of pain in the testicles depends on the cause that caused the discomfort. Therapy may be based on medication, special procedures, or surgery.

Table 1. Methods for the treatment of pain in the testicles

Cause	Treatment
Mild bruising of the external genitalia	Compliance with half-bed rest for several days; Applying a bandage to the damaged area in order to prevent blood stasis, reduce tension and severity of pain; Pain relief - both local in the form of cold compresses, and general, which involves taking medications; The use of drugs to prevent the formation of a hematoma; Magnetotherapy and sparing thermal procedures after an acute period.
Infectious diseases caused by the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the organs of the scrotum	Gentle mode; Taking antibacterial drugs to eliminate harmful microflora; Elimination of inflammation by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; Physiotherapy after recovery.
Varicocele	Conservative therapy at the initial stage, which involves taking drugs to improve blood circulation in the affected area, as well as vitamins C, E, PP; Surgical methods of treatment, in particular - an operation to block the veins of the scrotum and their sclerosis. After surgery, the likelihood of recurrence is reduced; Refusal of bad habits, weight loss.
Tumor	Removal of the tumor with radiation therapy or removal of the affected organ by surgery. If metastases are detected, chemotherapy is required.
Testicular torsion	Dissection of the scrotum, assessment of the viability of the testicle and its subsequent straightening or removal. In the postoperative period, the use of painkillers is indicated.
Extensive hematomas	Drainage of affected areas, removal of non-viable tissues and suturing of gaps.

It is not recommended to use folk remedies to eliminate pain in the scrotum, since such an alarming symptom requires careful diagnosis. However, there are some steps you can take while waiting for the doctor to help ease the discomfort caused by a minor blow or bruise. At home, you can apply an ice bag to the sore side or do a light massage using an anesthetic cream, but it is better not to touch the affected area until you contact a specialist.

To prevent the appearance of pain in such a vulnerable organ as the testicles, you should:

• Timely eliminate anomalies in the structure of the genital organs;
• Regularly undergo examinations by a urologist to identify pathologies that are asymptomatic in the early stages of development;
• Have regular sex life and use barrier contraceptives if the partner is unstable;
• Wear underwear that does not compress organs and does not interfere with blood circulation;
• Normalize drinking regimen and nutrition;
• Prevent the possibility of traumatic impact on the scrotum.

The condition of the testicles directly affects not only the reproductive capabilities of a man, but also the general state of his health. In order to prevent undesirable consequences, it is necessary to minimize the risk of external factors affecting the testicles, as well as timely treat existing diseases that may adversely affect their condition.