Pain In The Scrotum : Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Last Updated: 04/07/2022

Pain in the scrotum is noted with inflammatory and voluminous processes, fluid accumulation, trauma, some infectious and parasitic pathologies. In diseases of the kidneys, ureters, prostate, rectum due to irradiation. More often dull, pulling, aching, bursting, less often sharp, twitching, pulsating. The causes of pain in the scrotum are determined by the results of a survey, external examination, diaphanoscopy, ultrasound and laboratory tests. Sometimes a puncture is required. Prior to diagnosis, immobilization using a special bandage or suspensor is recommended.

Why there is pain in the scrotum

Lack of sexual release

Pain in the scrotum is the result of sexual arousal without subsequent discharge. This condition is more common in adolescence and youth, develops against the background of a combination of high libido and the absence of a sexual partner. In adults, it is observed when circumstances arise that prevent sexual relations, voluntary refusal of sex for religious reasons.

A similar condition is observed in men who practice protection by interrupting sexual intercourse, in patients suffering from orgasmic dysfunction. In all these cases, the cause of pain is the rush of blood to the genitals without the subsequent release of seminal fluid. The pain is dull, bursting, aching. May persist for several hours.

Inflammatory diseases

Pain in inflammatory diseases is combined with edema, hyperemia, hyperthermia. It is caused by nonspecific bacterial infections, develops after injuries, invasive medical procedures. In children and adolescents, it may be the result of a viral infection: mumps, measles, rubella. It is revealed in such pathologies as:

  • Orchitis. Occurs acutely or chronically. In the first case, it is accompanied by a pronounced pain syndrome, symptoms of general intoxication. In the second, the condition is satisfactory, the pain is slight or moderate, dull, aching, pulling. Possible discharge from the urethra.
  • Epididymitis. Rarely seen in isolation. Can be combined with orchitis, urethritis. According to clinical manifestations, it resembles orchitis, it can also be acute or chronic.
  • Epididymoorchitis. The acute form is manifested by hyperthermia up to 4 ° C, sharp pains, aggravated by walking, radiating to the lower abdomen, lumbar region. In the chronic form, all symptoms are smoothed out.
  • Funiculitis. It develops with inflammatory lesions of the testicle and its epididymis, rarely occurs in isolation. It is characterized by pain, fever, thickening of the spermatic cord.

With impaired immunity, massive infection, the acute forms of the listed diseases can turn into purulent inflammation. There is a deterioration in the condition, an increase in symptoms of intoxication, an increase in pain, which becomes twitching, pulsating. Along with nonspecific microflora, inflammation of the testicle, spermatic cord and epididymis can be caused by the following sexually transmitted diseases:

  • gonorrhea;
  • trichomoniasis;
  • chlamydia;
  • mycoplasmosis.

Clinical manifestations of specific infections vary. A typical feature is the discharge from the urethra of a copious yellowish, greenish or whitish secret with an unpleasant odor.

Pain in the scrotum

 

Purulent processes

Purulent inflammation can affect the organs or soft tissues of the scrotum, be local or widespread, occur primarily or develop as a result of the infection moving from nearby anatomical structures:

  • Abscess of the scrotum. Rare pathology. A limited abscess is formed intrascrotum or in the area of ​​superficial soft tissues. There is an increasing edema. Pains quickly amplify, get jerking character, break a night's sleep. Body temperature rises to febrile numbers.
  • Fournier's gangrene. An extremely dangerous form of erysipelas with the formation of phlegmon, necrosis of the genital organs. It begins with general symptoms: weakness, weakness, subfebrile condition. A few days later, a painful area of ​​compaction and redness appears in the scrotum. Local manifestations progress simultaneously with the aggravation of general symptoms. With the appearance of zones of necrosis, pain decreases due to the death of nerve endings.
  • Complication of prostate abscess . An abscess of the prostate gland sometimes breaks into the urethra, rectum, scrotum, nearby cellular spaces. A breakthrough occurs after a temporary improvement in the condition, with damage to the scrotum, it is accompanied by its edema, hyperemia, and severe pain.

fluid accumulation

Dropsy is widespread or limited. The following pathologies are distinguished:

  • Hydrocele. Common condition. Fluid accumulates between the vaginal membranes of the testis. Discomfort and pulling pains appear when the volume of exudate reaches 30 ml or more, accompanied by an asymmetric increase in the scrotum.
  • Spermatocele. A seminal cyst is formed in the testicle or epididymis. For a long time it is asymptomatic. Pain is associated with the accumulation of a large amount of fluid, suppuration of the cyst.
  • Funicular. The cyst of the spermatic cord is also prone to asymptomatic course. Minor pulling pains, a feeling of discomfort can be observed during sexual intercourse, physical activity.

Varicocele

Pain occurs in stage 2 varicocele. The intensity of unpleasant sensations varies significantly, some patients report mild soreness or discomfort when walking, others complain of very sharp burning or shooting pains. Pain is associated with physical activity. Visually revealed varicose veins, sagging of the diseased half of the scrotum. At stage 3, the pain becomes constant, occurs at rest, disturbs at night. The asymmetry of the scrotum is progressing.

Urgent states

Sudden sharp pain in the scrotum, radiating to the perineum and groin, is the first symptom of testicular torsion. Due to unbearable pain, vomiting, collapse are possible. The scrotum is slightly enlarged, the affected testicle is located above the healthy one. The skin over the testicle is hyperemic, pale or cyanotic. There may be difficulty urinating, acute urinary retention.

The edematous scrotum syndrome develops acutely with the accumulation of a large amount of effusion. Complicates injuries, inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases of the scrotum, tumors, allergic reactions. The scrotum rapidly increases in volume. The pains are so sharp and intense that they are accompanied by vomiting, a drop in blood pressure, and the appearance of cold sweat.

Segmental testicular infarction is manifested by pain that grows over several days. With a total heart attack, the symptoms resemble testicular torsion or acute epididymo-orchitis. The intensity of sensation reaches the degree of pain shock. Patients are pale, covered with cold clammy sweat. Tachycardia, hypotension are detected, confusion is possible.

With closed injuries of the scrotum, pain is also sharp, very intense, often accompanied by the development of pain shock. The scrotum is edematous, cyanotic with a purple or black tint, greatly enlarged in size. Hematocele, dislocation of the testis, sometimes with torsion, can be observed. With open injuries of the scrotum against the background of pain and bleeding, traumatic shock almost always develops.

Neoplasms

Pain in the scrotum appears some time after the onset of compaction, sometimes combined with pain in the lower abdomen, is detected in every fourth patient with a malignant testicular tumor. Observed in germ and non-germinogenic neoplasia:

  • seminoma;
  • chorioncarcinoma;
  • malignant teratoma;
  • embryonic testicular cancer;
  • sarcoma;
  • leidigoma;
  • sertolioma.

The neoplasm increases in size, the scrotum becomes edematous. Subsequent symptoms are largely due to metastasis. For benign tumors of the scrotum, the pain syndrome is uncharacteristic, it can appear with secondary infection due to the development of inflammation.

Parasitic pathologies

Parasitic diseases of the scrotum are typical for countries with a tropical and subtropical climate. Filariasis is caused by helminths, provokes the development of elephantiasis due to damage to the lymphatic system of the genital organs. Soreness of the scrotum occurs several years after infection, often combined with hydrocele, epididymitis, funiculitis. Pain is caused by dense swelling due to the accumulation of fluid in the tissues. Wuchereriosis is also accompanied by damage to the lymphatic vessels, elephantiasis. The weight of the scrotum in both diseases can reach 15-2 or more kilograms.

Other reasons

Sharp pains in the scrotum and inguinal region, nausea, vomiting, worsening of the general condition occur when the inguinal-scrotal hernia is infringed. Another possible cause of pain is irradiation in diseases of the rectum and organs of the genitourinary system. Radiating pain is observed in the following pathologies:

  • prostatitis (congestive, calculous, etc.);
  • sclerosis of the prostate;
  • renal colic, including those caused by ureteral stones;
  • occlusion of the ureter in cancer of the kidney or ureter;
  • proctitis.

Urologist's consultation

 

Diagnostics

The cause of pain in the scrotum is determined by the urologist-andrologist. During the conversation with the patient, the doctor establishes the circumstances and time of the onset of the symptom, monitors the dynamics of the development of the disease. To clarify the diagnosis, the following procedures are carried out:

  • Physical examination . The specialist examines the external genital organs, reveals an increase in volume, swelling of tissues, changes in skin color and temperature, dilated veins, and other manifestations. Palpates the scrotum and regional lymph nodes to assess the condition of the testis, epididymis and spermatic cord, detect lymphadenitis.
  • Rectal examination. It is carried out to exclude volumetric formations, inflammatory processes of the prostate gland.
  • Diaphanoscopy. Translucence of the scrotum is performed at the time of admission, allowing for a preliminary differentiation of hydrocele and other conditions with an increase in the scrotum (tumors, hernia, edema, inflammation, elephantiasis).
  • Ultrasound of the scrotum. A safe and painless procedure used to detect torsion, varicocele, neoplasms, inflammatory processes, and other pathologies. According to indications, it is supplemented with dopplerography.
  • Scintigraphy. It is used in the process of diagnosing injuries, tumors, vascular diseases, inflammatory diseases. A dynamic study is prescribed to assess the function and blood flow of the testicles, a static study to identify structural pathologies.
  • Puncture of the scrotum. It is performed with hydrocele and spermatocele for the differential diagnosis of these conditions with tumors, hernias, hematocele.
  • Laboratory tests . To determine the activity of inflammation, to detect anemia in injuries and oncological diseases, general blood tests are prescribed. Urine tests are performed to detect kidney pathologies. If STIs are suspected, PCR is performed. Punctates and biopsies are sent for cytological or histological examination. According to the indications, a spermogram is made.

Treatment

Help at the prehospital stage

Patients with injuries are shown fixation with a suspensor or a special bandage, cold on the scrotum. In other conditions, suspensions are often effective. With severe pain and the absence of urgent pathology, a single dose of painkillers is possible. Other methods of treatment before the diagnosis is not shown.

Conservative therapy

Medicines of the following groups are prescribed:

  • NSAIDs . They reduce temperature, reduce inflammation and pain during inflammatory processes, traumatic injuries.
  • Antibiotics . Indicated for purulent foci, inflammatory diseases, injuries. Initially, broad-spectrum drugs are prescribed. After receiving the results of microbiological analysis, the antibiotic therapy regimen is adjusted.
  • Cytostatics. Recommended for patients with non-seminoma cancer, advanced stages of seminoma. supplemented with radiation therapy.
  • Antiparasitics . Needed by patients with wuchereriosis and filariasis.

With many diseases of the scrotum, wearing a suspension is effective. With the secondary nature of the pathology, treatment of the underlying disease is necessary. In the case of non-tumor processes, it is possible to prescribe physiotherapeutic procedures.

Surgery

Taking into account the nature of the pathology, the following can be performed:

  • Purulent processes : opening, drainage of phlegmon and abscesses of the scrotum.
  • Hydrocele : operations of Winckelmann, Bergman, Lord, Ross.
  • Spermatocele : excision of the spermatocele.
  • Funiculocele : excision of a cyst of the spermatic cord.
  • Varicocele : Marmar, Palomo, Bernardi, Ivanissevich operations, varicocele embolization, laparoscopic excision of the testicular vein.
  • Urgent conditions : testicular torsion surgery, wound closure, reposition or resection of the testicle, removal of a hematoma.

In case of malignant tumors, severe damage to the testicle due to a heart attack, crushing, extensive necrosis against the background of Fournier's gangrene, purulent complications of inflammatory processes, an organ-removing operation is required - orchiectomy, epididymectomy, orchiepididymectomy. Subsequently, to eliminate the cosmetic defect, an artificial testicle is implanted.

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