What is testicular pain?
Testicular pain refers to discomfort or pain in one or both testicles. This pain can range from mild to severe and may be acute (sudden and short-term) or chronic (long-lasting).
What causes testicular pain?
Testicular pain can have a variety of causes including injury, infection, inflammation, and other medical conditions, such as an inguinal hernia, enlarged veins in the scrotum or a testicular mass.
It is important to see a doctor if you are experiencing testicular pain to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment. In some cases, testicular pain can be a sign of a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention.
What is a testicular mass?
Testicular or scrotal masses are lumps or swelling in the scrotum, the bag of skin that holds the testicles. While many testicular masses are benign, some can indicate serious conditions, including cancer.
A testicular mass might be:
- A buildup of fluids.
- The growth of irregular tissue.
- Swollen, inflamed or hardened parts inside the scrotum.
What are symptoms of a testicular mass?
Symptoms of a scrotal mass might include:
- An unusual lump
- Sudden pain
- Dull aching or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- Pain that spreads all over the groin, stomach area or lower back
- A tender, swollen or hardened testicle or epididymis. The epididymis is the soft, comma-shaped tube above and behind the testicle that stores and transports sperm.
- Swelling in the scrotum
- A change in color of the skin of the scrotum
- Upset stomach or vomiting
If an infection causes a scrotal mass, symptoms also might include:
- Fever
- Needing to pee often
- Pus or blood in the urine
When should I see a doctor regarding testicular pain or a testicular mass?
Get emergency medical care if you have sudden pain in your scrotum. Some problems need to be treated right away to help prevent permanent damage to a testicle.
Some scrotal masses are more common in children. See your child's pediatrician or seek pediatric urology care at The Iowa Clinic if:
- Your child has symptoms of a scrotal mass.
- You have any concerns about your child's genitals.
- A testicle is "missing." Sometimes, a testicle doesn't move down from the stomach area into the scrotum before birth. This is called an undescended testicle. It might raise the risk of some scrotal masses later in life.
Each month, check your scrotum for any changes. Also get the area checked during regular health checkups.