Sharp Pain in Testicles

[floyd357]

Today I have had a sharp pain occur on my right testicle. It has continued for the past hour, and it is somewhat of a throbbing pain, subsiding for 5 to 10 minutes. My scrotum has a red color, however, it has been like this for quite sometime. The area on the back of my testicle is most tender to the touch, although I dont i feel a lump. However, I do believe that this is where the epididymis is.

I have had this symptom before, but never so severe, and it usually did not last. What do you believe is the cause? Does it need medical attention or should it just go away?

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

The most serious thing to worry about would be testicular torsion.  This wouldn't really be a chronic pain issue, but rather an 'acute pain'.  A hernia, or infection are possibilities as well, but 'torsion' is when the testicle twists and closes of the blood supply.  The testicle will die in several hours and have to be removed, leaving the person less fertile, or sterile if it happens to both sides.  If the pain is severe and has continued all day, I would go the ER and have it checked;  You can also check for a urology forum and see if they have advice.  I do not know if there are any tricks to make the diagnosis, or whether you just need to go in and have it examined.

[Jaybay]

Have you ever been checked for a hernia?