Testicle pain has a number of possible causes. The testicles are very sensitive, and even a minor injury can cause testicle pain or discomfort. Pain might arise from within the testicle itself or from the coiled tube and supporting tissue behind the testicle (epididymis). Sometimes, what seems to be testicle pain is caused by a problem that starts in the groin, abdomen or somewhere else — for example, kidney stones and some hernias can cause testicle pain. The cause of testicle pain can't always be identified. Causes of testicle pain or pain in the testicle area can include:
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include
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We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Testicle pain can be caused by nerve damage, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), gangrene, swelling, hernia, kidney stones, inflammation, enlarged veins, fluid in the testicle, or a severe condition known as testicular torsion. Testicles are egg-shaped reproductive organs located in the scrotum. Pain in the testicles can be caused by minor injuries to the area. However, if you’re experiencing pain in the testicle, you need to have your symptoms evaluated. Pain in the scrotum can be the result of serious conditions like testicular torsion or a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Ignoring the pain may cause irreversible damage to the testicles and scrotum. Often, problems with the testicles cause abdominal or groin pain before pain in the testicle develops. Unexplained abdominal or groin pain should also be evaluated by your doctor. Trauma or injury to the testicles can cause pain, but pain in the testicle is often the result of medical issues that will require treatment. These include:
In some instances, pain in the testicle can be caused by a severe medical condition known as testicular torsion. In this condition, the testicle becomes twisted, cutting off blood supply to the testicle. This can cause damage to the tissue. Testicular torsion is a medical emergency that must be treated quickly to prevent damage to the testicles. The condition occurs more frequently in males between the ages of 10 and 20. Pain in the testicle is rarely caused by testicular cancer. Testicular cancer typically causes a lump on the testicles that’s often painless. Your doctor should evaluate any lump that forms on your testicles. Call your doctor for an appointment if:
You should seek emergency medical attention if your testicular pain:
Pain that doesn’t require medical care can be treated at home using the following measures:
With more severe pain, you’ll need to seek treatment from your doctor. Your doctor will complete a physical exam of your abdomen, groin, and scrotum to determine what’s causing your pain and will also ask you about your current health conditions and any other symptoms. To accurately diagnose your condition, your doctor may need to order additional tests, including:
Once your doctor diagnoses the cause of your pain, they’ll be able to provide treatment. The treatment may include:
Your doctor can successfully treat most cases of pain in the testicle. An untreated infection such as chlamydia or a serious condition such as testicular torsion may result in permanent damage to your testicles and scrotum. Damage may affect fertility and reproduction. Testicular torsion that results in gangrene can cause a life-threatening infection that can spread throughout your body. Not all cases of pain in the testicle can be prevented, but there are some steps you can take to reduce the underlying causes of this pain. These steps include:
If you practice these steps and still experience testicular pain, seek medical treatment immediately. The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you need help finding a doctor. Read this article in Spanish. Last medically reviewed on October 2, 2019 How we reviewed this article:Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Oct 2, 2019 Medically Reviewed By Ebba Pero |