Why does a man's right or left testicle hurt?
The most common cause of pain in the left testicle in men is varicocele - dilation of the veins of the spermatic cord. In 80% of cases, the disease manifests itself on the left side. For this reason, the pain radiates to the left testicle. It can also hurt with pyelonephritis, urolithiasis and intestinal infections.
Pain in the right testicle in men is associated with torsion of the spermatic cord. Varicocele occurs on the right side less often than on the left, but the possibility cannot be completely excluded. Also, pain can occur for any of the reasons listed above if the inflammation affects only the right testicle.
Testicular pain in boys
Testicular pain in children often occurs during puberty or at a younger age. The most common conditions causing pain:
- hydrocele (hydrocele) – this condition occurs in newborns because the testicles move as the baby develops in the womb, and approximately 1 in 10 male children are born with this condition;
- varicoceles – occur during puberty due to the accelerated development of the genital organs, when an increase in blood vessels in the testicles is observed;
- torsion of the testicle, especially its apex - often occurs in boys aged 8 to 12 years;
- orchitis – frequent inflammation due to bacterial or viral infections;
- Mumps (mumps) is a viral infection that can cause infertility in boys.
When should you see a doctor?
Contact your doctor if:
- feel a swelling or bulge in the testicles;
- testicles sensitive to touch;
- if the testicles are painful to the touch,
- edema (swelling of the testicles);
- erythema (redness) of the testicles occurred;
- the position of the testicles has changed.
Seek emergency
medical help if:
- you cannot bear pain in the testicles;
- pain occurs with nausea, vomiting and fever;
- were seriously injured;
- there is bleeding that does not stop.
Treatment of testicular pain
Testicular pain is treated primarily by identifying and determining the cause of the condition. Often this treatment depends on the specific disease, so antibiotics are used for infections.
Treatment includes:
- visiting a medical facility;
- physical examination;
- ultrasonography;
- blood and urine tests;
- use of antibiotics;
- peace;
- ice packs (cold compresses);
- surgical operations.
Sign of possible diseases
Testicular pain is not an accurate diagnosis; it is only a symptom of a concomitant disease or injury. There are many reasons why testicles hurt in men, and each has its own character.
Mechanical injuries
A nagging pain in the left or right testicle indicates an injury followed by a hematoma. A puncture wound and rupture of the membranes are considered dangerous, as evidenced by severe pain and heavy bleeding.
Testicular torsion
The most dangerous symptom is torsion. If the patient is not provided with timely assistance, he may be left completely without one egg. When torsion occurs, the spermatic cord, the vessels inside it, the nerves and the vas deferens are compressed, which leads to necrosis of the gland tissue. It can occur when the eggs are injured, sudden movements and tension in the abdominal muscles.
Orchitis
Cystitis or orchitis is possible due to pain at the end of urination and a burning sensation in the scrotum. The disease is caused by bacteria and viruses. If a man has suffered severe mental or physical stress, hypothermia, or moves little, then the disease will not take long to occur. If the right testicle hurts and the body temperature has increased, it means that a pathological process has begun.
Epididymitis
Testicular pain in men may be associated with inflammation of the appendages. The disease most often appears during active sexual life. The main reason is the presence of a bacterial infection. The following factors contribute to the occurrence of epididymitis:
- Promiscuous sexual intercourse;
- Surgical interventions;
- Taking medications.
The disease can be acute, recurrent or chronic.
Dropsy
If the right egg hurts and it has increased in size, dropsy is present. In addition, symptoms of the disease are: elevated body temperature, lack of appetite, weakness. Dropsy is provoked by excessive physical activity.
Spermatocele
Manifests itself in the form of nagging pain. A lump appears in the scrotum that is easy to feel. In a man, seminal fluid accumulates in the epididymal duct and a small cyst appears. It can only be removed surgically.
Causes of balanoposthitis
In the medical community, it is customary to distinguish between balanitis and balanoposthitis. Balanitis is an inflammation of the skin surrounding the head of the penis. Boys most often develop balanoposthitis, when both the skin and the inner layer of the foreskin are affected.
The immediate cause of the disease is infection. In children, the cause of inflammation is usually opportunistic flora that lives on the skin of every person. In rare cases, balanoposthitis can be caused by infection with sexually transmitted infections transmitted through contact and household contact.
Factors that provoke inflammation of the foreskin in children:
- lack of personal hygiene;
- penile injuries;
- allergic reaction to body care products;
- tight underwear;
- rare diaper changes for babies.
One of the most common causes of balanoposthitis in boys is phimosis. With this pathology, the head of the penis does not open at all or is exposed with great effort. Normally, in almost all babies, the head of the penis is hidden under the foreskin. At 6 months of life, the head is exposed in 20% of children, and by 3 years - in 90% of boys. At 7 years old, the head of the penis should be completely free of the foreskin. Until the head of the penis is fully opened, hygienic measures may be difficult, which leads to the development of balanoposthitis in young children.
Another reason for inflammation of the foreskin in a small child is the formation of synechiae. Numerous adhesions interfere with the normal outflow of smegma, a special substance consisting of desquamated epithelium of the penis. When the synechiae diverge, the smegma comes out, and the area under the foreskin cleans itself. If the adhesions do not disperse completely, smegma accumulates and inflammation develops.
Causes of pain in the testicular area
Injury
The most common cause is in boys, lovers of active games and sports.
- If the bruise was not severe, then let the boy lie quietly. You can apply something cold to the pain area, and after half an hour take a warm bath. If necessary, give the pain medication your pediatrician has approved. If the pain does not go away, consult a doctor.
- In case of a strong blow to the genital area, relieve the pain with painkillers and go to a specialist.
- If the injury is caused by a sharp object, then treatment at home is impossible. We call an ambulance.
Testicular torsion
It happens that the testicle changes its position. In this case, the spermatic cord twists, interrupting the flow of blood, blocking the spermatic duct. This happens abruptly, with severe acute pain. This can happen even in a dream, causing the boy to scream. Why this happens has not yet been clarified. This is not known to be associated with physical activity.
Epididymitis
This is inflammation in the area of the organ appendage. The pain, as in the case of “torsion,” is sharp and sharp. It radiates to the groin, stomach, lower back. The diseased testicle quickly increases in size, as do the inguinal lymph nodes. The boy often runs to the toilet "in a small way", but the process is very painful. Possible incontinence. There may be some blood in the urine. With epididymitis, the temperature rises to 40°C, chills and nausea begin.
Causes:
- Infection with bacteria (chlamydia, gonococci), most often intestinal. Less commonly, fungi and mycobacteria become the cause.
- Complications after viral diseases.
- Organ injury.
- Hypothermia.
Orchitis
Inflammation of testicular tissue. It increases, hurts, and there may be redness and swelling. The boy begins to have a headache, nausea, and a fever.
Causes:
- Diseases of the reproductive system (infectious and inflammatory nature).
- Mumps (mumps).
- Severe influenza.
- Weak immune system.
- Trauma to the groin area.
- Pneumonia.
- ARVI.
Varicocele
Occurs due to dilation of the veins of the spermatic cord. The disease has 3 stages. Initially, the pain may be mild and infrequent. Accompanied by burning and itching in the groin area. There is a noticeable increase in the scrotum and veins. It is difficult to identify the first stage; it is not accompanied by pain. Dilated vessels can only be felt by asking the boy to take a standing position.
Causes:
- Intense physical activity and lifting heavy objects.
- Trauma or congenital malformations.
- Increased pressure in the veins.
- Weak vessels.
- Tumor.
Hydrocele
More often called “dropsy of the testicles.” Congenital or acquired disease. It is clearly visible that one side of the scrotum is larger. All due to the accumulation of serous fluid in it. Bilateral fluid accumulation is less common.
Causes:
- Disorder of intrauterine development. Usually goes away on its own before the age of 3.
- Rarely is a complication of diseases.
- Injury.
- Testicular torsion.
- Epididymitis.
- Tumor.
- Orchitis.
Oncology
Often, oncology is provoked by cryptorchidism (undescended testicle into the scrotum). The boy begins to experience heaviness in the scrotum area. Not every boy experiences pain; it only happens during physical exercise. There may be enlargement of the lymph nodes in this area. On palpation, something foreign is felt inside, similar to a lump or tight clot.
You cannot hope that the problem will solve itself. Ignoring the disease can lead to infertility, impotence, and removal of a testicle. Treatment and diagnosis should be carried out by a qualified specialist.
