The health of the organs of the male reproductive system depends on many factors. Deviations in their operation can be caused not only by internal disturbances, but also by mechanical damage. The most endangered testicles are the paired glands that produce male hormones and sperm. When injured, the ability to produce these substances is impaired, which affects not only sexual ability and the ability to fertilize, but also the general state of health.
The main functions of the testicles
The testicles, also called the testicles or testicles, are the male sex glands. Each of them is located in the scrotum - its right and left parts. The testicles are connected to the spermatic cords, which are made up of muscles, nerves, lymph and blood vessels. The right testicle is slightly higher than the left.
The testicles are composed of soft tissue, separated by a thin connecting septum into separate lobules. In them are the seminiferous tubules, where the production of sperm takes place and between them the process of production of the hormone testosterone takes place.
The continuous formation of male germ cells enables the process of egg fertilization. Testosterone production in the testicles is also very important for men's health because this hormone is responsible for body and muscle growth, body development as a whole according to the male type and the formation of sexual relations. wish.
When the testicles are damaged for any reason, the ability to produce sex hormones and cells decreases. This can happen at any age. To avoid complications, you should consult a doctor immediately if you have testicular pain.
Why do testicles hurt?
The causes of testicular pain in men are numerous. They can be relatively harmless, associated with impaired ejaculation upon awakening, and dangerous, being the result of the development of malignant tumors or trauma to the external genitalia.
The reasons why the testicles hurt are as follows:
- Injury to the perineum or scrotum. If the stroke or bruising was not very intense, the pain in the testicle is sharp but passes fairly quickly. At the same time, even a slight mechanical impact contributes to hemorrhage in the scrotal cavity, due to which its skin becomes red and thick. Such phenomena pass within a few days. With severe damage, the integrity of the testicles is violated. The pain in this case is so pronounced and painful that the victim may lose consciousness. A severe injury can lead to the fact that the gonad completely loses its functions - in the future it is fraught with infertility;
- Inflammatory processes that occur in the testicles or in their appendages. This may be epididymitis caused by the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the epididymis. In this case, the patient complains not only of pain, but also that the testicles are swollen. Also, the pathological process can occur as a result of inflammation of the glandular tissue. This phenomenon is called orchitis. This disease, which is a complication of flu, gonorrhea and others, can affect one or both testicles at the same time and cause infertility. With orchitis, the skin of the testicles reddens, the scrotum swells, the man has a fever, has general weakness, and constant thirst;
- Abstinence. In this case, the pulling pain in the testicles in men manifests itself in the fact that when aroused, the penis fills with blood, and the ductal system is activated - all this indicates a willingness to ejaculate. If this does not happen, unpleasant sensations appear in the testicles. Unlike cases where pain is caused by pathological processes, testicular discomfort during prolonged abstinence is not associated with general weakness, loss of appetite, dizziness, and changes in urine color. This problem does not require treatment, it can be solved either by sexual intercourse or by masturbation. Another way to eliminate the discomfort is to take a sedative tablet;
- Frequent interruptions of sexual intercourse or lack of ejaculation after prolonged arousal, neurological pathologies and inflammatory diseases of the digestive system - all these factors can explain why the testicles ache after sex;
- Varicocele is a pathological enlargement of the veins and vessels of the penis, due to their insufficiency. This disease is often encountered by teenagers in adolescence. If the testicle hurts precisely for this reason, then the disease is at an advanced stage and this is fraught with amputation of the organ. Varicocele is also accompanied by an increase in the size of one half of the scrotum;
- Inguinal hernia. With violation, acute pain is observed, a specific extension in the groin, which increases with physical exertion and takes its previous shape after taking a horizontal position. If there is no violation of the hernial contents, there is a dull pain that radiates to the abdomen, side, the region of the lower limbs;
- Hydrocele, or hydrocele. This phenomenon is characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the membranes of the testicles, which is associated with impaired circulation. The disease can be inherited or occur with inflammatory pathology, tumor development, after injuries of the external genitalia. If the testicle is enlarged, then the presence of a hydrocele may be suspected. Another characteristic symptom of this pathology is a sharp pain that appears when you touch the testicles;
- Testicular torsion. This phenomenon usually occurs in boys aged 7-10 years and is characterized by twisting of the spermatic cord, which leads to blockage of local blood circulation and squeezing of the canal. The pain in this case appears only in one of the testicles. Unpleasant sensations worsen by walking or squeezing the affected area. There may be redness of the scrotum and an increase on one side of it, as well as a burning sensation. Such a deviation is corrected either by external reduction of the testicle, or by the use of surgical methods;
- Development of a malignant tumor. The pathological process can spread to both glandular tissue and excretory ducts. In this case, the testicles in men ache only when the neoplasia has become large;
- Inflammation of the prostate. If the testicles ache during prostatitis, then this is one of the main symptoms of the disease;
- Inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs cause pain in the lower abdomen in men and in the testicles;
- Hypothermia. The consequence of exposure to low temperatures may be testicular pain in men. In some cases, there is an increase in body temperature.
If a man notices pain in the testicles, as well as external changes - an increase in their size, redness, swelling - you should immediately consult a doctor in order to identify the cause of pathological manifestations as soon as possible andstart proper treatment.
Characteristic features of pain
In the diagnostic process, the nature of the pain that appears in the testicular region is of great importance. Depending on the place where it radiates, preliminary conclusions can be drawn about the nature of the appearance of unpleasant sensations.
- In case the pain radiates to the lumbar region or to the abdomen, the presence of an inflammatory process occurring in the epididymis is suspected;
- If the pain radiates sideways, urolithiasis or inguinal hernia may appear;
- When the pain radiates to the lower limb, it is suspected twisting of the spermatic cord or bruising of the testicle, followed by hemorrhage in it.
If the testicles are red and feel pain and discomfort, it is urgent to undergo diagnostic measures prescribed by the doctor. Delay in this case can lead to infertility, as the ejaculate will not contain motile sperm, impaired potency or penile amputation.
Diagnostic measures
The diagnosis of cases when the testicle hurts and is withdrawn is made by a urologist and andrologist. A man should perform the following activities:
- A general blood test, thanks to which a specialist can identify the inflammatory process;
- Sperm analysis for infections to determine the presence and type of pathogenic microorganisms;
- Spermogram analysis, which allows you to assess sperm activity and identify bacteria;
- Ultrasound of the scrotum, which allows you to identify tumor neoplasms;
- Taking a stain from the urethra to identify pathogens;
- Puncture (drilling biopsy) to determine the nature of diseases of the testicles, appendages;
- Palpation for tumor detection or testicular enlargement;
- Ultrasound of the kidneys and ureters to detect formations that impede urine flow;
- CT and MRI to rule out misdiagnosis.
Prior to performing diagnostic measures, the patient is not recommended to take pain medication, perform heating or cooling procedures.
Treatment Methods
Treatment of testicular pain depends on the cause that caused the discomfort. Therapy can be based on medication, special procedures or surgery.
Table 1. Methods for treating testicular pain
| cause | Treatment |
| Slight bruising of the vulva |
|
| Infectious diseases caused by the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the scrotal organs |
|
| Varicocele |
|
| tumor | Tumor removal with radiation therapy or surgical removal of the affected organ. If metastases are detected, chemotherapy is required. |
| Testicular torsion | Scrotal dissection, assessment of testicular stability, and subsequent direction or removal. In the postoperative period, the use of sedatives is indicated. |
| Extensive hematomas | Drainage of affected areas, removal of unstable tissue and suturing of gaps. |
It is not recommended to use folk remedies to eliminate pain in the scrotum, as such an alarming symptom requires careful diagnosis. However, there are some steps you can take while waiting for your doctor to help alleviate the discomfort caused by a small bump or bruise. At home, you can apply an ice pack on the injured side or do a light massage using an anesthetic cream, but it is best not to touch the affected area until you contact a specialist.
To prevent the appearance of pain in an organ as sensitive as the testicles, it is necessary to:
- Timely elimination of abnormalities in the structure of the genital organs;
- Undergo regular examinations by a urologist to identify pathologies that are asymptomatic in the early stages of development;
- Have a regular sex life and use barrier contraceptives if your partner is unstable;
- Wear underwear that does not compress organs and does not interfere with blood circulation;
- Normalization of drinking and feeding regime;
- Prevent the possibility of traumatic impact on the scrotum.
The condition of the testicles directly affects not only a man's reproductive abilities, but also the general state of his health. To prevent unwanted consequences, it is necessary to minimize the risk of external factors affecting the testicles, as well as to timely treat existing diseases that may adversely affect their condition.