Causes

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Many things can cause testicle pain. The testicles are very sensitive. Even a minor injury can cause them to hurt. Pain might come from within the testicle itself. Or it might arise from the coiled tube and supporting tissue behind the testicle, called the epididymis.

Sometimes, what seems to be testicle pain is caused by a problem that starts in the groin, stomach area or somewhere else. For example, kidney stones and some hernias can cause testicle pain. Other times, the cause of testicle pain can't be found. You might hear this called idiopathic testicular pain.

Some causes of testicle pain start within the pouch of skin that holds the testicles, called the scrotum. These causes include:

  1. Epididymitis (When the coiled tube at the back of the testicle becomes inflamed.)
  2. Hydrocele (Fluid buildup that causes swelling of the skin pouch that holds the testicles, called the scrotum.)
  3. Orchitis (A condition in which one or both testicles become inflamed.)
  4. Scrotal masses (Lumps in the scrotum that can be due to cancer or other conditions that are not cancer.)
  5. Spermatocele (A fluid-filled sac that can form near the top of a testicle.)
  6. Testicle injury or hard hit to the testicles.
  7. Testicular torsion (A twisted testicle that loses its blood supply.)
  8. Varicocele (Enlarged veins in the scrotum.)

Causes of testicle pain or pain in the testicle area that start outside of the scrotum include:

  1. Diabetic neuropathy (Nerve damage caused by diabetes.)
  2. Henoch-Schonlein purpura (A condition that causes certain small blood vessels to become inflamed and bleed.)
  3. Inguinal hernia (A condition in which tissue bulges through a weak spot in the muscles of the abdomen and can descend into the scrotum.)
  4. Kidney stones — or hard objects made of minerals and salts that form in the kidneys.
  5. Mumps (An illness caused by a virus.)
  6. Prostatitis (Infection or inflammation of the prostate.)
  7. Urinary tract infection (UTI) — when any part of the urinary system gets infected.

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

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Dec. 07, 2023

See also

  1. Abnormal sperm morphology: What does it mean?
  2. Infertility — Not just a female condition
  3. Chlamydia trachomatis
  4. Epididymitis
  5. Gonorrhea
  6. Is a home sperm test useful?
  7. Low sperm count
  8. Male infertility
  9. Male masturbation: Does frequency affect male fertility?
  10. Spermatocele
  11. Testicular cancer
  12. Testicular microlithiasis