What is a painful vas deferens?
The vas deferens, also called Ducutus deferens, has its origin in the epididymis, from which it runs via the inguinal canal to the bladder and finally flows into the urethra. Functionally, the vas deferens plays a decisive role, especially for the transport of sperm produced in the testicles. In the course of diseases, this structure can cause pain.
This is particularly the case with inflammation of the seminal duct, which usually affects the urethra as well as the seminal duct itself and can lead to a severe burning sensation when urinating. In order to avoid the serious consequences of such an inflammation, such as infertility, timely diagnosis and initiation of therapy is of utmost importance. However, with adequate treatment, no further restrictions are to be expected.
Causes
In most cases, pain sensations in the vas deferens are due to an infection followed by inflammation. However, these often do not originate in the vas deferens itself, but are primarily inflammations of the prostate, the testicles or the urethra. Common pathogens are E. coli, enterococci or sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia or syphilis.
In almost all cases, inflammation is accompanied by a strong burning pain when urinating, pain during ejaculation and occasionally pus discharge. In addition to inflammation, other causes of pain in the spermatic duct may also be responsible for the pain. These include the condition after a so-called vasectomy, i.e. the cutting of the vas deferens as a method of contraception.
Furthermore, various spatial demands can lead to compression or infiltration of the spermatic cord. These include spermatoceles, fluid-filled cysts of the epididymis, abscesses in the context of trauma or tumors of the testicle or prostate. In rare cases, tumors of the spermatic cord itself, so-called spermatic sarcomas, can also cause pain in the course of the disease.
Pain in the vas deferens
The vas deferens is functionally involved in the transport of sperm during ejaculation through a rhythmic contraction movement of the muscles. If there are pathological changes in the structure, such as an inflammation, these movements can lead to irritation and thus to pain. These inflammations often originate in the prostate or the urethra.
However, a stone disease, disturbances in the nervous supply of the ejaculatory system, a condition after surgery or radiation, the intake of various drugs or tumors can also lead to this symptom. In the course of inguinal hernias, which are usually treated surgically, pain of the spermatic duct may occur in the course of the operation. On the one hand, the surgical procedure in the groin itself usually causes irritation of surrounding structures, such as the spermatic duct.
However, injuries to the spermatic duct during such operations cannot be ruled out and can lead to persistent pain. Such complications, however, generally occur only very rarely. Following a vasectomy, i.e. a cutting of the vas deferens, the affected structure may be in pain for a few days.
However, if the symptoms persist for more than a week, a medical consultation is recommended in order to promptly detect and treat possible infections or surgical complications. The so-called vasitis nodosa plays a special role here. This form of inflammation of the spermatic duct usually occurs after a vasectomy and is asymptomatic in most cases.
The skin layers and the strand musculature thicken. Furthermore, nodules, so-called granulomas, form, which consist of the remaining sperm and inflammatory cells. This disease is often felt as a small mass in the inguinal canal and in rare cases is accompanied by pain.