Testicle pain has a number of possible causes. The testicles are very sensitive, and even a minor injury can cause testicle pain or discomfort. Pain might arise from within the testicle itself or from the coiled tube and supporting tissue behind the testicle (epididymis).
Sometimes, what seems to be testicle pain is caused by a problem that starts in the groin, abdomen or somewhere else — for example, kidney stones and some hernias can cause testicle pain. The cause of testicle pain can't always be identified.
Causes of testicle pain or pain in the testicle area can include:
- Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes)
- Epididymitis (testicle inflammation)
- Hydrocele (fluid buildup that causes swelling of the scrotum)
- Idiopathic testicular pain (unknown cause)
- Inguinal hernia
- Kidney stones
- Mumps
- Orchitis (inflamed testicle)
- Prostatitis (infection or inflammation of the prostate)
- Scrotal masses
- Spermatocele (fluid buildup in the testicle)
- Testicle injury or hard hit to the testicles
- Testicular torsion (twisted testicle)
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Oct. 19, 2021
- Eyre RC. Evaluation of acute scrotal pain in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Sept. 24, 2019.
- Scrotal pain. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/genitourinary-disorders/symptoms-of-genitourinary-disorders/scrotal-pain. Accessed Sept. 24, 2019.
- Belanger GV, et al. Diagnosis and surgical management of male pelvic, inguinal, and testicular pain. The Surgical Clinics of North America. 2016; doi: 10.1016/j.suc.2016.02.014
- Rottenstreich M, et al. The clinical findings in young adults with acute scrotal pain. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2016; doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2016.06.066.
- AskMayoExpert. Scrotal pain (child). Mayo Clinic; 2019.
- AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases. Recommendations for prevention and control of influenza in children, 2018-2019. Pediatrics. 2018; doi:10.1542/peds.2018-2367.
- Sullivan JE, et al. Fever and antipyretic use in children. Pediatrics. 2011; doi:10.1542/peds.2010-3852.
- 201.314 labeling of drug preparations containing salicylates. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=76be002fc0488562bf61609b21a6b11e&mc=true&node=se21.4.201_1314&rgn=div8. Accessed Sept. 24, 2019.