If there is pain or pulling in one or both testicles, the urologist should always be consulted. Pulling in the testicle should always be interpreted as an early warning signal and therefore should not be ignored.
What is pulling in the testicle?
The generic term testicular pain includes various symptoms such as stinging, a feeling of pressure or a pulling sensation in the testicle. A pulling sensation in the testicle is an alarm signal of the body for diseases of the male genitourinary tract. These complaints are not suitable for self-diagnosis, the contact person is the specialist in urology or andrology. The testicles are extremely sensitive, therefore pain, pulling or a feeling of pressure in this area are also perceived as correspondingly strong and disturbing. Various symptoms such as stabbing, a feeling of pressure or a pulling sensation in the testicles are summarized under the generic term testicular pain. The transitions are fluid and all of these symptoms can occur at once and with varying intensity. Typically, the pulling is felt directly in one or both scrotums, the discomfort can occur spontaneously, are then usually associated with a very specific event. However, the pulling may also radiate from the testicles into the anatomically adjacent groin regions. The triggers for this type of pain vary widely, and early diagnosis can be exceedingly crucial for further progression.
Causes
In certain martial arts, players wear what is called a jockstrap to protect the genital area from trauma, so blunt impacts are a major cause of testicular pain in sports. For example, traumatic impacts during a soccer match can lead to severe pain. In addition to these acute events, however, there are also various acute or chronic conditions that can lead to a pulling sensation in the testicles. Primarily, it is bacterial or viral infections of the testicles or epididymis that lead to pain, pulling or a feeling of pressure. If the testicles are inflamed, the doctor speaks of orchitis, if the epididymis is inflamed, of epididymitis. In young men in particular, however, the pulling sensation in the testicles can also be an expression of a malignant neoplasm. This testicular cancer is the most common type of tumor in young male adults. However, the intensity, duration and severity of the symptoms do not necessarily allow conclusions to be drawn about the underlying cause.
Diseases with this symptom
- Testicular cancer
- Epididymitis
- Testicular inflammation
Diagnosis and course
Testicular pain of any kind should always be reason enough to see a doctor immediately. The family doctor will always refer a patient with pulling in the testicle to the urologist as a specialist. In order to exclude serious causes in time, the diagnosis should not be waited for. After all, testicular cancer that is not treated in time can lead to death, and delayed diagnosis of inflamed testicles often means lifelong sterility. Through the medical history, the doctor will in most cases already be able to make the tentative diagnosis, because testicular pain due to traumatic impact or sports accidents are all too obvious. In the case of testicular inflammation, the patient usually complains of fever or a general feeling of illness. To confirm these and other diagnoses, various examination procedures are required. In addition to palpation and visual findings, the special ultrasound examination of the scrotum in particular promises a rapid and accurate diagnosis. This is because the testicular tissue is altered in a characteristic way in tumor neoplasms or inflammations. For extended diagnostics, testicular biopsies can also be performed for fine tissue examination. If the cause has been eliminated, the pulling in the testicle will disappear again. However, if left untreated, testicular pain can become chronic-recurrent.
Complications
A pulling in the testicle can have a wide variety of causes, so the course of this symptom can be very varied. A very common cause of a pulling in the testicle is inflammation. Inflammation in the testicles is caused by bacteria or viruses, which can even cause an abscess to develop in the worst case. If such an abscess is not treated by a doctor, there is a risk of blood poisoning which can lead to death. A pulling in the testicles can also be caused by external force.However, this is usually a harmless pulling sensation that can only be heard for a short period of time. Consequential damage is not to be expected even without medical treatment. However, if the pain persists over a longer period of time, a doctor should definitely be consulted. In this case, there is a risk of testicular torsion, which can lead to permanent and permanent damage. Other complications that can occur in connection with a pulling in the testicles are fever, chills, nausea and a high sensitivity to touch. If back pain and a pulling in the testicles occur at the same time, this is an indication of a pinched nerve. As you can see, there are a number of different complications that can occur with a pulling in the testicles.
When should you go to the doctor?
A pulling testicle can occur for many different reasons, so seeing a doctor early is highly recommended. In many cases, there is simply a “little something” hiding behind a pulling sensation in the testicles. However, in the case of a serious underlying condition, the chances of recovery are best if the affected person seeks medical treatment at an early stage. In most cases, a pulling sensation in the testicles is caused by external force. Since the testicles contain a particularly large number of nerves and blood vessels, pain is felt particularly intensely at this site. However, the pain should subside after a few minutes. If the pain persists, an appropriate doctor should of course be consulted. This way, any injuries in the testicle can be diagnosed and treated accordingly. A cyst can also be responsible for a pulling sensation in the testicle. A cyst is also noticeable externally. Thus, an affected person should consult an appropriate doctor at the first signs of a cyst. The sooner a doctor is consulted, the better the chances of a quick and complete recovery. If, in the case of a serious underlying disease, a doctor and the associated treatment are not consulted, then in the worst case there is even an acute danger to life. For this reason, a pulling in the testicle should not be taken lightly.
Treatment and therapy
The therapy of testicular pain always depends on the cause. Since the cause can be found out in the vast majority of cases, the initiation of a causal treatment is possible. Testicular pain after sports accidents can be treated with special bandages and administration of decongestant drugs. Orchitis and epididymitis are treated by targeted oral administration of antibiotics, provided that bacteriological examinations have identified specific germs as the cause of the disease. Pulling in the testis due to inguinal hernia or varicose veins may also be an indication for surgery. Varicose veins of the testicle are also called varicocele, which require surgery from a certain degree of extension. In severe inguinal hernias, visceral parts press on the spermatic cords or blood vessels. Testicular pain caused by kidney stones is often described as radiating, and therapy can be performed in milder cases on an outpatient basis endoscopically or by stone disintegration, lithotripsy. If a testicle is twisted, the physician speaks of torsion; this clinical picture can also lead to a pulling sensation in the testicle. Children and adolescents are particularly often affected, because the testicles do not reach their final position in the scrotum until after the end of puberty. Massive torsion of the testicle requires immediate surgical intervention to return the testicle to its original position because of the risk of tissue death. Malignant testicular tumors also require surgical removal and may require treatment with chemotherapy or radiation.
Outlook and prognosis
In most cases, testicular traction is a serious condition that must be evaluated and treated by a physician in all cases. Without treatment, serious complications can occur. If the pulling in the testicle is caused by a tumor, surgical removal is necessary. In most cases, this results in complete infertility of the man. This may also be associated with psychological discomfort. If the pulling in the testicle is caused by accidents or blows to the testicle, the symptom usually subsides on its own. Inflammations can be treated relatively well, so that there are no further complaints or complications.Most patients also complain of fever and general weakness. In these cases, the patient must take antibiotics. An inguinal hernia is usually repaired by surgery. Tumors in unfavorable locations are treated by radiation therapy or chemotherapy. The further success and course depends strongly on the spread of the tumor. To avoid subsequent damage and infertility, a doctor should always be consulted immediately if this symptom occurs.
Prevention
Prophylaxis against testicular pain in sports activities is possible only through preventive measures of effective genital protection. However, the development of inflammation or tumors on the testicle cannot be influenced. Men should use all urological screening examinations for early detection, even if there are no symptoms. Self-examination of the scrotum is also an important preventive measure, which can be carried out particularly well after a warm bath because of the vasodilatation. Leaflets available from urologists give precise instructions on how to perform the self-examination correctly.
What you can do yourself
Pulling in the testicle can have serious causes and should therefore be clarified by a doctor in any case. If the cause is known, various home remedies and measures can alleviate the discomfort. Pulling as a result of a testicular contusion, for example, can be effectively and quickly alleviated by cooling and sparing the affected testicle. If testicular inflammation is suspected, a visit to the doctor is recommended. In addition, the affected area should be cooled and, if possible, spared. In addition, a complaint diary can be created in which the occurrence, duration and intensity of the pulling pain is recorded. If the pulling is due to varicose veins or a hernia, the only option is to see a doctor. Testicular pain after sex, on the other hand, does not require treatment. With sufficient bed rest and relaxation, the pulling usually goes away on its own. Twisted testicles require immediate emergency medical treatment. The pulling itself can be relieved by standing up straight and cooling. To prevent testicular traction from occurring in the first place, the scrotum should be examined regularly. Any abnormalities must be clarified by the family doctor or urologist and treated if necessary.