Causes of Testicular Pain
Testicular pain affects your testicles, the small reproductive organs inside your scrotum. Your scrotum is the pouch of skin behind your penis.
Most men experience testicular pain at some point. It’s usually mild and disappears without treatment. Some people experience chronic (ongoing), severe pain. Chronic testicular pain can have many potential causes:
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Complications from testicular surgery, including testicular pain after a vasectomy
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Epididymitis, inflammation affecting the tubes that carry sperm from your testicles
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Infection, including orchitis, that leads to inflammation in your testicles
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Neurologic conditions
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Testicular torsion, when your testicle twists and cuts off blood supply
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Traumatic injuries
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Varicocele, an enlarged, visible vein in your scrotum
Can Sitting for Long Periods Cause Testicular Pain?
Sitting for long periods can lead to testicular pain. Your testicles get compressed when you sit. This may lead to discomfort.
Pain from sitting is usually temporary. Getting up to move more often can help relieve pain.
Can Ejaculating Too Much Cause Testicular Pain?
Some people experience testicular pain after ejaculating. This pain typically occurs for an underlying reason:
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Bladder infection (cystitis)
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Blocked ejaculatory duct
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Inflammation in the tube that stores sperm (epididymitis)
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Inflammation in the prostate (prostatitis)
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Sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Testicular Pain Diagnosis
The first step in diagnosing testicular pain is a physical exam and a review of your health history. Your health care provider will check your testicles for problems such as swelling or lumps. They will also ask about your symptoms, including when symptoms started and if anything helps relieve them.
We may use several tests to help confirm your diagnosis:
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Blood test—We will analyze a blood sample. This helps us check for conditions or infections that could cause testicular pain.
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Scrotal ultrasound—Your provider will use sound waves to get an image of the inside of your testicles. This helps us look for any irregularities.
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Steroid injection—We will inject a numbing medicine and steroid into the painful area of your groin. If you still have pain, it’s likely another problem and not your testicles.
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Urine test—We will take a urine sample to check for signs of infection.
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Testicular Pain Treatment
Testicular Pain Relief at Home
You may be able to treat mild, temporary testicular pain at home:
- Apply a wrapped ice pack to your groin for 10–20 minutes every hour.
- Pause activities that worsen your pain.
- Rest and avoid lifting heavy objects.
You may need to see a doctor if your pain continues after trying home remedies.
Seeing a Doctor for Testicular Pain
Treatment for testicular pain depends on the cause. There are several effective treatments for testicular pain:
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²Ñ±ð»å¾±³¦²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô—Some over-the-counter or prescription medicines can help manage pain. We may refer you to a pain management specialist if surgery isn’t a good option for you.
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Spermatic cord block—A spermatic cord block is a short, in-office procedure. Your spermatic cord helps move blood and sperm to and from your testicles. We will use a small needle to apply numbing medication to your spermatic cord. Numbing the cord may help relieve pain temporarily. You may be a candidate for surgery if the spermatic cord block relieves pain.
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³§³Ü°ù²µ±ð°ù²â—You may need surgery to correct a twisted testicle, reverse a vasectomy, or fix a traumatic injury. We may also offer a a procedure that cuts some of the nerves in your spermatic cord.
Surgery for Testicular Pain: Spermatic Cord Denervation
Spermatic cord denervation is a surgery that safely cuts some of the nerves in your spermatic cord. This can reduce your pain by at least 50%. Our patients see even higher success rates than average. More than 90% experience 70–100% pain reduction with spermatic cord denervation.
Preparing for Spermatic Cord Denervation
Most insurance plans cover a spermatic cord denervation. Check with your insurance provider before scheduling your procedure.
Your care team will give you specific instructions on preparing for surgery. You must follow several precautions before surgery:
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Eat a normal meal the evening before surgery.
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Stop eating or drinking by midnight.
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Take any necessary medication with only a small sip of water on the day of surgery.
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Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
What Happens During Spermatic Cord Denervation?
We will give you local or general anesthesia before your procedure. Local anesthesia numbs your groin so you remain comfortable. General anesthesia puts you to sleep during the procedure.
Your surgeon will perform the procedure in several steps:
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Make a small cut in your groin.
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Use an operating microscope to get a clear view of your spermatic cord.
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Cut specific nerves in your spermatic cord but keep blood vessels and other structures in your spermatic cord intact.
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Apply surgical glue and dissolvable stitches to close your incision.
Spermatic cord denervation blocks nerve pain and preserves blood supply to your testicles. The surgery takes about one hour. You can return home the same day.
Recovery From Spermatic Cord Denervation
You need to follow some instructions in the first 24 hours after surgery. These guidelines help you recover from anesthesia and heal properly:
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Avoid using heavy machinery or driving a car.
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Don’t consume alcohol or a large, heavy meal.
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Postpone important decisions; anesthesia can make it harder to think clearly.
Expect mild swelling, pain, bruising, and tenderness for several days. Many people report that their pain changes immediately. You may feel some discomfort, but deep, chronic pain should be gone. Any postsurgical pain fades over time.
Recovery usually takes about one week:
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Days 1–3: Take 650 milligrams of acetaminophen every six hours and 800 milligrams of ibuprofen every eight hours. Avoid using prescribed pain medicines unless you need to. You can also ice your groin for 20 minutes every hour to relieve discomfort.
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Days 4–7: You should be able to resume your usual activities. Avoid sex, masturbation, or lifting objects heavier than 25 pounds for one week. Avoid baths for one week. You can shower the day after surgery.
Why Choose University of Utah ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½?
Our team includes fellowship-trained urologists and experienced advanced practice providers. We specialize in conditions that affect men’s urologic and sexual health and fertility. We create a safe, empathetic, supportive environment to discuss your needs and concerns. Our experts provide multiple treatments to help increase your quality of life and sexual health.
Schedule an Appointment
Call 801-587-1454 or request an appointment online to connect with our team. You don’t need a referral to make an appointment. Our financial counselor will verify your insurance coverage and review your costs with you.
