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:

  1. Diabetic neuropathy
  2. Epididymitis (testicle inflammation)
  3. Hydrocele (fluid buildup that causes swelling of the scrotum)
  4. Idiopathic testicular pain (unknown cause)
  5. Inguinal hernia
  6. Kidney stones (hard objects that form due to chemicals in urine)
  7. Mumps
  8. Orchitis (inflamed testicle)
  9. Prostatitis (infection or inflammation of the prostate)
  10. Scrotal masses
  11. Spermatocele (fluid buildup in the testicle)
  12. Testicle injury or hard hit to the testicles
  13. Testicular torsion (twisted testicle)
  14. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
  15. 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.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Oct. 19, 2021