Pain and swelling in the testicles can result from a number of things, from viral or bacterial infections to injury. The cause of this pain and swelling is very important because the treatment varies depending on the cause. Testicular pain is usually caused by torsion of the testicle due to twisting, inflammation of the testicle (orchitis) from viral infection with mumps (mumps), or bacterial infection with the epididymis or epididymo-orchitis. However, most likely the cause is not cancer because testicular cancer is generally painless. When testicular pain occurs, there are several things you can do to treat it.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Relieve Fast
Step 1. Use pain medication
Pain relievers such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, or aspirin can be used to relieve pain and swelling. These drugs work by inhibiting the production of prostaglandin compounds (which cause inflammation). The recommended dosages for each of these drugs are as follows:
- Ibuprofen (or similar generic drug), 200-400 mg tablet, with or immediately after meals, up to three times daily.
- Aspirin, 300 mg tablet, up to four times daily.
- Paracetamol, tablets 500 mg maximum three times a day.
- Do not mix these medications. Overdose can cause serious side effects.
Step 2. Lie on your back
Until you get medical help, lie on your back, and support the testicles in a comfortable way to help relieve the physical pressure and pain.
You can also wear a scrotal support such as a jock strap. Using this device can help relieve testicular pain by protecting the area from friction with your feet, pain from scrotal movement, and external contact that can trigger irritation
Step 3. Apply a cold compress
If pain and swelling occur suddenly, apply a cold compress by placing an ice pack or frozen vegetable bag on the testicle to help relieve it.
- Applying a cold compress is an important step because if the swelling is serious, it can prolong the time the testicle can survive without a blood supply.
- Wrap an ice cube or bag of frozen vegetables in a dry cloth before applying the compress to prevent frostbite.
Step 4. Rest and avoid strenuous activities
Give the testicles time to heal naturally by avoiding activities that can make the pain and swelling worse. Avoid lifting heavy objects, running, and other strenuous sports.
If you are unable to rest completely, wearing support underwear and/or straps may also help
Method 2 of 3: Observing the Symptoms
Step 1. Know the risk factors
There are several common risk factors for both bacterial and viral infections that cause testicular pain. These risk factors include:
- Sexual activity
- Strenuous physical activity such as frequent cycling or riding a motorcycle
- Sitting too long like on a long trip or driving a truck
- History of prostate or urinary tract infection
- Benign prostate enlargement or prostate surgery, usually in older men
- Anatomical defects such as the posterior urethral meatus, which occur in prepubescent males
Step 2. Check for injuries
Testicular pain from an injury called testicular torsion causes pain in the testicle and the epididymis (the tube on the underside of the testicle). However, to be sure, a detailed physical examination is required. If you have an injury to your testicles, especially testicular torsion due to twisting, see your doctor as this can be dangerous for the testicles.
- The doctor may check the Cremasteric reflex, which does not appear if the testicle is injured. This is done by moving the hammer along the inner thigh which will cause the healthy testicle to rise for cover into the scrotal sac.
- Testicular torsion usually appears as a sudden pain.
Step 3. Diagnose pain due to infection
Age plays an important role in screening for infection. Infections that cause testicular pain include bacterial infections of the testicles and epididymis. It occurs as a result of bacteria ascending from the rectum, usually in men over 35 years of age and less than 14 years of age. For men between the ages of 15 and 35, the main cause of testicular infection is usually sexually transmitted bacteria such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. When the part is touched during the examination, you will feel pain. Your doctor may check to see if elevating your testicles can relieve your pain, which is known as Prehn's sign.
- Treatment of the infection will help relieve pain and prevent the infection from getting worse and the potential for sepsis.
- The Cremasteric reflex will still appear in pain caused by infection.
Step 4. Check for orchitis
Orchitis, which is caused by a viral infection, causes sudden pain and swelling in the testicles. Acute pain and swelling will occur in the testicle. Orchitis caused by the mumps orchitis virus (an infection that is becoming increasingly common due to not being given the MMR vaccine at the age of 11 months). About 20-30% of children with mumps will develop mumps orchitis. Mumps orchitis usually appears one week after the onset of parotitis, which is swelling of the parotid gland under the jaw.
There is no cure for mumps orchitis, but it can cause infertility. The only way to deal with this is by providing supportive care, such as painkillers and cold compresses
Step 5. Check for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
In sexually transmitted infections, the common symptom is pain in the testicles which may be accompanied by a burning sensation when urinating. The onset of these symptoms appears gradually and takes several weeks to be felt. Testicular pain may also be associated with symptoms of nausea and vomiting, as well as abdominal pain. The Cremasteric reflex appears normally in this disease.
- Ultrasound examination will show increased vascularity, pockets of infection, or abscess formation.
- You may also experience other symptoms such as discharge or blood in the urine.
Step 6. Watch for signs of epididymo-orchitis
Pain from this bacterial infection can develop rapidly, in about a day. The epididymis and testicles swell rapidly and become large, red, and painful. This infection will also cause severe pain.
You may also have other infections such as a urinary tract infection or a urethral infection
Step 7. Run laboratory tests
Laboratory tests are helpful for detecting infection. Your doctor may test for bacteria such as E. coli in your urine. If you are sexually active, your doctor may test for Chlamydia or Gonorrhea in a urine sample with the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) test.
Ultrasound examination is usually done in all cases of scrotal pain and swelling to determine if there is a more serious problem
Method 3 of 3: Coping With Persistent Pain
Step 1. Treat bacterial infection
Men of any age can develop an infection that causes testicular pain, from the bacteria E. coli or other bacteria. Meanwhile, for elderly men, benign prostate enlargement plays an important role in the occurrence of this infection. Bacteria that accumulate in the enlarged prostate will inhibit the elimination of urine from the bladder completely. As a result, E. coli bacteria or other gastrointestinal bacteria can rise again and cause infection.
- Medical treatment to overcome this includes giving Bactrim DS or quinolone antibiotics. The treatment period is about 10 days, unless there are concomitant prostate problems, which require longer treatment.
- Often, Prehn's sign can relieve symptoms of a bacterial infection. Cold compresses can also help.
- You can relieve the pain with Panadol, Motrin, or stronger (prescribed) narcotics for a few days.
Step 2. Treat sexually transmitted infections
This infection can be treated with antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe ceftriaxone followed by azithromycin or doxycycline. Pain symptoms should improve within 24-48 hours. While waiting for the antibiotics to take effect, you can apply a cold compress and support the testicle to help relieve the pain. You can also use painkillers, especially during the first few days.
Step 3. Treat testicular injury
Injury to the testicle due to twisting causes the testicle to not get an adequate blood supply. This usually occurs after various types of injuries, such as slips from a bicycle and bumps to the groin. Extreme testicular injuries can cause the sperm ducts to twist and require surgery. Each year, this injury affects 3.8% of 100,000 men under the age of 18.
- Early detection of the testes that are high in the scrotum and the absence of the Cremasteric reflex is sufficient to determine surgery. This procedure can help prevent orchidectomy, which is the surgical removal of the testicles.
- Even minor injuries can cause swelling, pain, high fever, and increased frequency and urge to urinate.
- The time span between injury and surgery is about 4-8 hours. This will prevent severe damage to the sperm ducts which must be treated immediately to prevent removal of the testes. Despite prompt treatment, the average percentage of orchidectomy was 42%. Meanwhile, delays in diagnosis can lead to orchidectomy and possibly infertility.
