Watch out for painful swelling of the testicles

This article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Truong Nghia Binh - Obstetrician-Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital. Doctor has more than 13 years of experience in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The testicles are an oval-shaped part of the male reproductive system, whose function is to produce sperm and secrete the hormone testosterone that forms male characteristics. When the testicles are swollen and painful, it is a sign of problems in the male reproductive organs. Testicular swelling and pain affects the sexual health and quality of life of the patient.

The testicles are a gland that has both an exocrine function, sperm production and an endocrine hormone production, mainly testosterone, which is related to male reproductive function, and also supports the production of sperm. Therefore, painful and swollen testicles will be a direct cause of male sexual dysfunction.
The testicle is a mass consisting of a thick white capsule covering the testicular tissue, outside this thick white capsule is a thin layer, called the epididymis, containing fluid inside. In a normal male body, there are two testicles. Each testicle is egg-shaped, 3.5-5.5cm long, 2-3cm wide with an average weight of 20g. The testicles produce hormones and sperm - two important factors for male sex and reproduction. When the testicles are painfully swollen, men not only feel pain in the scrotum, but also feel the epididymis as if it is bulging or having a lump. This pain easily makes men feel frustrated, reduces the need for sex, and affects the quality of life.

Testicular pain is often vague and the cause is not easy to find. In general, the testicle is a very sensitive organ, there are many causes of testicular pain such as:
2.1. Epididymitis The epididymis is a tube that carries and stores sperm to ejaculate in the back. testicles, the inflammation that occurs in the testicle coils can be due to bacterial infections from the bladder - urethra, or sexually transmitted (such as gonorrhea or Chlamydia infection...).
Men of all ages can have epididymitis, but it's most common between the ages of 20 and 39. Pain caused by epididymitis is often painful and accompanied by symptoms such as, the skin of the scrotum may be red, the epididymis is palpable, swollen and tender, very painful, may be accompanied by blood in the urine, and fever. medium to high level. Pain during intercourse or ejaculation. Pain in the penis, pain in the lower abdomen, when walking or standing, the pain is more pronounced.
Acute epididymitis, if not treated, can cause sepsis, turning into a stage of scleroderma affecting male reproduction.
The treatment of this case is still mainly antibiotics. However, the use of antibiotics for patients should be prescribed by a specialist doctor.
2.2.Testicular torsion This is a disease in which the testicle rotates on its own, causing sudden blockage of the spermatic cord, reducing or blocking blood flow to the testicle, causing pain and swelling. Manifestations are sudden and severe pain in one testicle, lasting less than 6 hours, enlarged scrotum, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, one testicle may be in a higher position than normal. often. When touching the testicle, the pain is more pronounced. If you feel severe pain in your testicles while sleeping, that is the first sign of testicular torsion. If this condition is prolonged, it can lead to necrosis of the testicle and surrounding tissues.
Therefore, testicular torsion requires emergency surgery within the first few hours. If left to last longer, the testicles are permanently damaged, will affect fertility or have to be removed.
2.3.Chronic Prostatitis Chronic prostatitis can cause testicular pain, manifesting as unilateral testicular pain, dull pain, or constant pain. Patients are mainly young, very rare in the elderly.

2.4.Inguinal hernia A hernia is a phenomenon where a certain part of the body is pushed out of its restricted normal position in the body. Inguinal hernia is a common problem in men. An inguinal hernia usually occurs where the testicle is connected to the body. When inguinal hernia, the patient feels heavy pressure in the groin area, accompanied by a feeling of severe pain that is a mass swooping down into the scrotum, one side of the scrotum swells up into a bulge due to the bowels above. This scrotum becomes larger when the patient walks, runs or does heavy work, rests, and the swelling shrinks or disappears completely. The disease usually requires surgery to close the hernia and it is best not to delay surgery.
2.5. Varicose veins varicocele is a very common disease today. This is an abnormal dilation of the vas deferens and the plexus of the vas deferens.
Because the vas deferens does not have a valve like other regional veins, it is easy for blood to back up from the renal vein into the plexus of the vas deferens. Infertility cases with varicocele should be evaluated by semen analysis.
Manifestation is that the patient does not feel much pain, but mainly pain, pain increases when moving, often in the left testicle, touching the top, there is a tuft like a worm.
Medical treatment is almost ineffective for this disease. Men need laparoscopic varicose vein surgery. This is a new and effective method today.
2.6.Genital nerve damage Genital neuritis can be caused by chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and also by trauma (cycling). At this time, the functions of conduction of movement, sensation, and nutrition may be gradually lost, reduced or completely lost, causing pain in the scrotum.
Depending on the cause, the doctor will have specific treatment directions such as reducing inflammation, supporting nerves...

2.7.Injury and haemorrhage A strong punch or direct kick to the scrotum or a sudden impact on the crotch will injure the testicles and bring extreme pain to the owner. Testicular pain can also be caused by actions that are too violent during sex, or inappropriate sex positions. People who often have to move a lot (drive or sit in the back of a car), especially those who ride a bike for a long time or on uneven terrain can lead to testicular pain. Sometimes, a severe injury can cause blood to leak out of the scrotum. This condition can be cured with bed rest or, more critically, surgically draining.
2.8. Epididymal cyst An epididymal cyst is basically a cyst that develops in a sperm duct. In the majority of cases, this cyst is benign because it is formed by the accumulation of sperm. If the epididymis cyst is too large, it can cause tension and pain.
2.9.Testicular cancer This disease is rare and often occurs in the elderly. However, testicular cancer has a very high cure rate, so it should be detected early for timely treatment.
Symptoms of testicular cancer are often vague in the early stages, which can be just mild pain in the scrotum, mild breast pain or fluid accumulation in the scrotum. Although the possibility of cure is very high, it is inevitable that the testicles, inguinal nodes and radiation therapy should be followed up if necessary.
2.10. Due to physiological factors In addition, swelling and pain in the testicles can also be caused by trauma or physiological factors such as:
When sexually aroused, blood rushes to the penis, which can affect the blood vessels in the penis. testicles, leading to testicular distension. Testicular pain can also be caused by the way it is stimulated during masturbation, sexual intercourse with a long penile erection. These conditions usually occur logically, that is, there is arousal, erection, sexual arousal... then pain and pain are moderate, not too uncomfortable and will usually go away on its own after a while. short time. Men carrying heavy loads that cause pressure on the penis and testicles can also cause pain and fatigue in the testicles... In addition, pain in the testicle area is sometimes just a normal physiological phenomenon due to an erection. of the penis often feel the need to ejaculate, especially in the early morning.

Most cases of testicular pain can be successfully treated. Untreated infections such as chlamydia or testicular torsion can cause permanent damage to the testicles and scrotum, affecting sperm quality and a man's sex life. In addition, testicular torsion also causes tissue necrosis leading to infection and can be life-threatening.
When the testicles are painful and swollen, men should not do hard work, or exert themselves, stop playing sports altogether. In daily activities, it is also necessary to gently exercise, participate in moderate sports. When you are new to sports, you should not immediately play sports that require a lot of physical strength, but gradually increase your strength. It is necessary to avoid all strong collisions that can easily lead to injuries to the body, especially the genital area.
It is necessary to monitor the pain that is decreasing or increasing over time. If the swelling is only painful for a short time and the pain does not repeat, then there is nothing to worry about. But if the pain increases or the pain is dull and repeated, it is necessary to take the initiative to see a gynecologist for timely treatment. Treatment of testicular pain is not difficult, just the right treatment method, according to the treatment course of the male doctor, will overcome testicular damage, ensure the patient's physiological function is restored as normal. often.

There are several ways to avoid injury to the intimate area including:
Wear protective gear when playing sports to prevent injury to the intimate area; Build a safe sex life by using condoms during sex; Check the health of the testicles once a month to detect potential diseases early; When urinating, need to urinate completely to prevent urinary tract infection. Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consulting services. and comprehensive, professional medical treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.