Page 1 - Scrotal Pain
P. 1
Urological Health
Scrotal pain
Scrotal pain is any discomfort of the scrotum or its contents, the testicles and their supporting
structures.
crotal pain is any discomfort of the scrotum or • A hernia (a bulging of abdominal structures through
Sits contents, the testicles and their supporting the groin into the scrotum)
structures. It is common in men of any age, but it • Spermatic cord torsion (twisting of a testicle on its
occurs most frequently in young adults and middle- blood vessels interrupting blood flow and causing
aged men. While it may be frustrating to live with sudden severe pain)
scrotal discomfort, it is rarely an indication of a
dangerous health problem. Your evaluation has excluded these possible causes
of scrotal pain.
Inflammation of the testicle (orchitis) or the
epididymis (epididymitis) may be the cause of scrotal
testicular pain. Occasionally, both structures are involved
veins (epididymo-orchitis). These conditions may be sudden
and brief (acute) or lasting many weeks or months
testicular (chronic).
artery
In some cases, no inflammation is present, only
persistent pain (chronic orchialgia).
epididymis
vas Acute epididymitis and orchitis
deferens
Acute orchitis produces sudden pain and swelling
of the testicle. This may be associated with fever,
testis abdominal or pelvic pain, nausea, and occasionally,
vomiting. The inflammation may be due to an
infection but often no cause can be determined.
The testicles are the factory for sperm and male Infection-causing bacteria may be acquired sexually
hormone (testosterone) production. Sperm produced (in sexually active adults) or from urinary infection
in each testicle is stored and matured in the (especially in young boys and elderly men). Viruses
epididymis, a crescent-shaped structure attached to and other infectious organisms can also cause acute
the back of the testicle. At orgasm, sperm is ejected orchitis.
from the epididymis and carried through the vas
deferens to mix with secretions from the prostate and Sudden inflammation of the epididymis is called
other glands before acute epididymitis. The pain and swelling of the
being ejaculated. scrotal contents in acute epididymitis may be
indistinguishable from that of acute orchitis. It usually
Careful examination by your physician and results from spread of infection from the bladder,
investigations, if necessary, can reliably exclude many urethra, or prostate. A sexually transmitted infection
causes of scrotal pain, including: is often the cause of acute epididymitis in sexually
• A tumour of the testicle active men. Enlargement of the prostate in older men
can lead to difficulties with bladder emptying and
• Scrotal injury urinary or prostate infection, with subsequent acute
• Cysts (a localized fluid collection) of the epididymis epididymitis. In infants and boys, acute epididymitis
• A hydrocele (a fluid collection around the testicle) usually is related to a bladder or kidney infection or
an underlying abnormality of the urinary system.
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