6 Causes of Testicle Pain

The testicles are small reproductive organs that produce sperm and male sex hormones. You have two testicles, and they’re located in your scrotum, which is a sac of thin skin behind your penis.

If you’ve ever suffered an injury to your groin, you’re likely all too familiar with testicle pain. Acute injury can cause intense pain, but luckily, symptoms often subside shortly afterward. It’s when testicle pain becomes chronic that you may start to worry what it means for your health.

About 100,000 men in the United States experience chronic testicular pain each year. Also called chronic orchialgia, it’s a common reason to schedule an appointment with a urologist.

Our team at Gulf Coast Urology in Houston and Nassau Bay, Texas, specializes in diagnosing and treating testicle pain. John Bertini, MD, FACS, and James Harris, MD, have experience in a range of testicular conditions and are here to help uncover the source of your testicle pain.

Some of the most common causes of testicle pain include:

1. Epididymitis

The epididymis is a small organ that’s connected to your testicles. It transports sperm from your testes to the vas deferens. Epididymitis is an infection of the epididymis, and it can develop as the result of a urinary tract infection or certain sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), like chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Epididymitis often causes testicle pain that gradually gets worse over a few days. Additionally, your scrotum may be swollen or warm to the touch.

2. Orchitis

Orchitis is an infection of one or both testicles. The infection can develop on its own, but it’s often a symptom of untreated epididymitis.

Symptoms of orchitis often include testicle pain and swelling, as well as fatigue, fever, and nausea. In severe cases, pain from orchitis can be so intense that it may be mistaken for testicular torsion, which is a serious medical condition that requires emergency care.

3. Inguinal hernia

A hernia is a common medical condition that occurs when an internal organ pushes through a weak spot in your muscle wall. Hernias can occur almost anywhere in your abdomen, and for men, they’re particularly common in the groin area.

Inguinal hernias develop when a portion of your intestines bulges through your abdominal muscles in your groin. The hernia may press against your testicles or other pelvic organs, causing pain and discomfort in the area.

4. Testicular trauma

Acute injury, such as a blow to your groin, often causes temporary pain. But in some cases, that trauma may lead to ongoing pain too. Testicular trauma can cause bruising, swelling, and chronic pain, especially if parts of your testes and scrotum were damaged.

5. Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among men aged 15-35. It doesn’t have early warning signs in many cases. However, some men experience a dull, consistent ache in their groin or testicles. Other symptoms can include swelling or a sensation of heaviness in your scrotum.

Bothered by testicle pain? Don’t ignore your symptoms — get a diagnosis and a treatment plan at Gulf Coast Urology today. Schedule a visit by calling our office most convenient to you or requesting an appointment online.