The testicles are a paired organ located in a pouch of skin and isolated from each other. It produces sperm and testosterone. It also produces sperm. So, the testicles are the reproductive organ of every human being.
Each egg is covered with a shell and, as a rule, one is smaller than the other. Their slight asymmetry is not a pathology, rather it is a common phenomenon.
They descend into the scrotum just before birth. Their shape resembles an ellipse up to 5 cm long and up to 3. 5 cm wide. The average weight of one testicle is between 15 and 25 g. It has been proven that their volume directly depends on the place of residence and race. The scrotum protects the testicles from injury and extreme temperatures. Her skin, like the whole body, is very sensitive. Therefore, even a slight pain in the testicles affects the condition of the whole body: mild nausea, nervousness, dizziness, etc.
Sometimes the question arises why a man's testicles hurt, the causes of this symptom can be different. Pain can be of a different nature: aching, pulling, throbbing, shooting. And most of the time, the man can't say what the reason was. In no case should you ignore unpleasant and painful sensations.
An appointment is urgently needed. A urologist deals with determining the causes of certain types of pain. The doctor will examine and feel the testicles to determine whether there are any inflammatory diseases: swelling, seals inside, signs of pain. If necessary, a comprehensive examination will be carried out.
Symptoms that indicate problems with the testicles:
- the presence of seals or a small tumor;
- pain on palpation or change in shape and size;
- the presence of pain without any injury;
- pain that lasts more than an hour after damage to the testicles;
- the presence of pulling, increasing pain;
- Fever.
Next, we will take a closer look at why a man's testicles hurt - the reasons that cause pain.
Trauma. When the cause of the pain is an injury received as a result of mechanical impact. Its duration and strength are directly proportional to the strength of the blow. A small bruise causes sharp, short-term pain.
Severe pain from severe trauma can cause shock or unconsciousness. If discomfort occurs in the testicles, pay attention to the type of pain. If it does not go away for a long time and gets worse, we can assume that there is a chronic injury. Cuts and stab wounds are especially dangerous. In this case, emergency help is needed, otherwise there is a high chance of losing the testicle.
Rotation. It is still not clear why this happens, but the consequences of such a phenomenon are so serious that it can lead to the death of the testicle. With rotation, acute pain occurs suddenly.
Blood flow stops, blood vessels are compressed. In this case, consult a doctor immediately, no later than after 7 hours. Manual detortion is usually done first. If this does not help, they resort to surgical intervention. Most often, this phenomenon occurs at a young age.
Inflammation. It can be in the epididymis (inflammation of the testicle) and inside the testicle itself (orchitis). The cause of these diseases are viral and bacterial infections that are transmitted during sexual intercourse.
Epididymitis is characterized by pain on one side, which increases, swelling of the scrotum appears, urination is accompanied by pain and burning, a white liquid is released from the urethra, the body temperature rises, there may be blood in the semen.
Causes of the disease: prostatitis and urethritis, urethral infection, tuberculosis complication. Can be acute and chronic. The duration of the initial stage lasts up to one and a half months. Inability to conceive will be the result of complications and untreated.
If it lasts longer than six months, we can talk about chronic epididymitis. It is accompanied by deterioration of the general well-being, weakening of the immune system, and inflammation moves to the skin bag. In orchitis, the testicles enlarge, which causes pain. Sudden rise in temperature, groin and lower back pain.
The skin sac becomes smooth due to the overflow of blood. The pain increases when walking or during physical exertion. Such a phenomenon can be the result of trauma or contact with a patient (parotitis, typhoid, tripe).
Unsatisfied sexual arousal. It also causes pain. Prolonged erection causes blood stagnation. It usually goes away on its own and does not require any treatment.
Hernia. Penetration of organs from the peritoneum into the skin bag through the holes formed in it. Visually, it looks like a bump in the groin or scrotum. Causes pain, especially when palpated. When they increase, nausea and vomiting appear. It can be said that there was a violation of the hernia. If surgery is not performed, necrosis with peritonitis may develop.
You can talk about prostatitis if you have the following symptoms:
- you feel a strong burning sensation during urination;
- increased attempts to urinate at night;
- constant desire and feeling of fullness;
- the presence of pain during ejaculation;
- the tip of the penis is the source of the pain.
Kidney colic. When stones move along the urinary tract due to urolithiasis. The pain is so strong that it radiates to the scrotum. This often causes nausea and vomiting.
Varicocele. In this disease, the veins of the skin sac dilate, along with the appearance of bumps around the egg and its size. It does not pose a threat to a man's health and does not cause much concern during his life. But with complications, it can lead to infertility. It is usually observed on the left (80-98%). This is because the veins flow in different ways from different sides.
Varicocele on both sides is observed only in 2-12% of cases, and on the right - in 3-8%. The cause of this disease is the bad functioning of the valves in the vessels. During hard work or sports, as well as standing, the vessel increases. Thus, the veins around the spermatic cord are swollen. Features of the anatomical position of the renal vein and superior artery can also cause such a disease.
Dropsy. Accumulation of serous fluid occurs in the shell of the testicles.
This can result in trauma, heart failure, damage to the groin or pelvic lymph nodes.
The skin sac enlarges and becomes painful. It is diagnosed by simple probing, in special cases it is necessary to perform an ultrasound. Removed during surgery.
Spermatocele. An empty sac filled with sperm fluid is formed in the testicle and does not reach a significant size. The skin bag is not deformed, it is not accompanied by pain. May be emptied during ejaculation.
Tumors. Pain in the testicles can be caused by malignant tumors. Such a pathology can be caused by cryptorchidism. This disease is acquired at birth, when the testicles do not descend into the skin pouch, but remain in the abdomen, where the temperature is much higher. As a result, tumors of various etiologies appear.
Factors that cause tumors:
- genetic predisposition;
- testicular injury;
- underdevelopment of the testicles;
- surgical interventions;
- inability to conceive.
If you have been diagnosed with a malignant tumor, do not despair. Testicular cancer caught at an early stage can be treated quite effectively. Therefore, it is very important to see a doctor immediately if you feel pain.
Testicles hurt: causes in men, children and diagnostic methods
When the testicles hurt, the causes in men can be due to various diseases characteristic of adults, but in children the causes are often a little simpler.
Almost all pain is due to injury or tight underwear. In addition to pain, there is abrasion and irritation of the skin surface, swelling often occurs.
A bruised testicle usually occurs during an active and very active game or when a child is hit in the scrotum during a childish fight. Bruises also occur when riding a vehicle such as a bicycle (unsuccessful landing on a hard seat). After the impact, pain occurs, the inner shell of the testicle is damaged, and swelling occurs. The scrotum becomes purple.
rotate around the axis. In normal health, the testicles are attached to the "outer" side inside the scrotum by so-called threads. In boys, sometimes the attachment is weak, which causes rotation. The rotation of the blood vessels occurs on its own, which first disrupts the blood flow, and then it can stop completely.
There is a sharp sharp pain, the testicle swells, touch causes pain. This condition is accompanied by nausea and severe vomiting, so it cannot be done without surgical intervention. In slightly older boys, the blood vessels on both sides of the testicles may also be affected.
The testicle swells, one side of the scrotum, redness appears, pain is felt when palpated. Parotitis, or mumps in ordinary people, is a complication that causes inflammation of the testicles. After treatment with many hormones, the risk of infertility is significantly reduced. Other diseases are dropsy, inguinal hernia, underdeveloped testicles, absence of one testicle in the scrotum. Sometimes young parents think that their child has no testicles.
They are absolutely, they are just not where they should be, that is, not in the right place, not in the scrotum. During fetal development, the testicles are located next to the kidneys. As the fetus grows and develops, they sort of descend and enter the scrotum almost immediately before birth. Sometimes it happens that the testicles do not descend. This phenomenon is called cryptorchidism.
The disease does not cause discomfort or acute illness, but an adult man can develop such a terrible disease as infertility due to such a disease. Therefore, an operation is performed (before the child turns six) - the testicle is lowered into the scrotum.
When the testicle remains inside the abdominal cavity, a neoplasm is possible there. What to do to avoid irreversible consequences. How is the problem treated? What are the ways to solve it if the testicles hurt? The causes of men and children have been identified, now we need to find a cure. Initially, you should contact a highly specialized doctor and undergo a number of diagnostic procedures.
The doctor examines the patient, questions him and sends him for laboratory tests:
- Donate blood.
- Urine is given.
- If there is discharge from the head of the penis, a urethral swab is taken.
- An ultrasound examination of the testicles is mandatory.
Treatment is prescribed by the doctor, taking into account the cause of the pain.
Treatment of minor injuries, as well as bruises, is carried out at home under the supervision of a doctor, therapy includes:
- Use drugs that suppress inflammation, anesthetize.
- The scrotum is raised.
- Ice is applied to the injured area.
- If the scrotum has ruptured due to a bruise, blood accumulates inside, so treatment is impossible without timely surgical intervention.
Epididymitis. It is usually treated on an outpatient basis, but if the situation is particularly neglected and severe, hospitalization is necessary.
Treatment:
- Taking antibacterial drugs for 14 days.
- Use of drugs that reduce inflammation.
- Taking medicines to relieve pain.
- Performs scrotal support.
- In case of complications, you cannot do without surgery. What complication are we talking about? First of all, about the scrotal abscess.
Inguinal hernia is treated only surgically.
If the patient agrees, the treatment is completed on an outpatient basis, but at the same time surgical correction of the hernia, which is strangulating and painful in the lower back and lower abdomen, is required.
It does not matter how the cause caused testicular pain, so the treatment is carried out according to the prescription and under the strict supervision and supervision of the doctor. Do not self-medicate, because the consequences can be irreversible, and because of stupidity, a person will lose a normal sex life, as well as the opportunity to become parents and continue his race. All diseases are preventable.
To do this, do not forget about personal hygiene and follow simple rules:
- lead a healthy lifestyle;
- eat correctly and in a balanced way, follow the regime;
- be selective in sexual relations and remember to protect yourself;
- regular sex life is also a prevention of malignant tumors.
Check your testicles more often. You can do this in the bath when the skin is relaxed from the warm water. Take the pouch of skin in the palm of your hand, one testicle may be slightly larger but should weigh the same. Roll the testicle with your fingers, feel it. Check them for seals. Healthy testicles are elliptical, not hard, smooth to the touch, without lumps.
Do this with both testicles. Carefully examine the spermatic cords. They should be smooth and elastic. Also check them on both testicles. Check the appendages at the back of the testicles. Small bumps should be soft and gentle. If the disease has overtaken you anyway, do not despair and do not panic. The most important thing is to make the correct diagnosis.