Help with husband's symptoms

Hi,  my DH is having tenderness in his right testicle along with a sensation of pulling/twisting.  It happens intermittently with no real pattern and has been going on for 3 weeks.  He does not describe the feeling as pain -- only that's a sensation that his testicle might "pop".  His urine tested negative and his symptoms remain even after a 10-day cycle of antibiotics.  He's 35, no family history of testicular cancer.  We agree that the affected testicle is a bit larger than the other, although we can't be sure whether it always has been.  When the symptoms come on, he says he can feel a "bulging" on the back side of the testicle.  It's worth mentioning that he has some abdominal discomfort that he's been blaming on a herniated disc in his lower back.  That disc was diagnosed two years ago and recently started giving him trouble again.  I don't know what to think but I hope to get him an ultrasound for the testicle as well as a neurologist appt. for the back trouble!  Thanks in advance for any insight you can give us.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Testicular tenderness can be due to a cyst, hydrocele, varicocele, cancer or infection.

Urine tests to rule out infection should be done.  

However, a testicular ultrasound would be the most revealing test, and would evaluate for the aforementioned conditions.  

Most cases of testicular swelling are benign and treatable, however cancer does need to be ruled out.  Hence, the recommendation for an ultrasound.

This option can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
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