Thanks for your question. Testicular pain can cause lots of worry. Sometimes pain in your scrotum (sac that contains your testicles) can be “referred” or spread to your lower abdomen or hip area; the opposite can happen as well.

What are the causes of scrotal pain?

Many things can cause scrotal pain including:

• Testicular torsion. This is a twisting of the testicle that causes severe pain and must be treated immediately!
• Varicocele. This is a swelling of the veins in the scrotum. It typically causes a dull pain or heaviness.
• Hydrocele. This is a collection of fluid (or liquid) around the testicle. It’s usually painless, but sometimes can be associated with a dull pain or heaviness.
• Trauma. If you’ve been hit in the testicle from things like sports you may have some pain. This can also happen if you’ve injured your hip, a muscle, or a ligament.
• Infection. Sexually transmitted infections can cause pain. Other than pain you may notice discharge from your penis.
• Hernia. An inguinal hernia is a bulging of contents of the abdomen that goes through a weak part in the lower abdomen. This can cause bulging, swelling, or pain.
• Testicular Cancer. This is cancer of the testes. Usually, it’s a painless lump or swelling of the testicle. However, some people may have a dull pain or heaviness in their scrotum, lower abdomen, or by their anus.

What should I do if I have pain in my scrotum?

First thing to know is that if the pain is severe you should see a healthcare provider right away.

If the pain is mild, you can try resting and taking pain medicine such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. It’s important to check with your healthcare provider to make sure it’s safe for you to take the medicines.

When should I see a healthcare provider?

You should see your healthcare provider if:

• You are having severe pain
• The pain is not getting better after a few days
• You have any other symptoms as well as the pain (this can include discharge from your penis, vomiting, fever, and so on)