Testicular pain in teens could be a sign of testicular torsion. The most important thing to know about testicular torsion is that it is an emergency that must be treated immediately. But, it can be difficult for teenage boys to talk about their testicles or tell a parent if they are having pain.
There is one type of pain that adolescent boys and their parents should never ignore – testicle pain. Sudden onset of severe pain in the testicles or scrotum can indicate that an adolescent or teenaged boy has a condition called testicular torsion. And it needs immediate medical attention.
The most common causes of acute scrotal pain in children and adolescents include testicular torsion, torsion of the appendix testis, and epididymitis (table 1).
It's possible that you are having "growing pains," but only a doctor can tell for sure. Your doctor may send you to a urologist, a specialist in conditions that affect a guy's reproductive system.
Is testicular pain normal during puberty? Some boys feel occasional mild self-limiting discomfort, but 'pain' is not normal and medical advice is warranted.
Causes of testicle pain or pain in the testicle area can include: Diabetic neuropathy. Epididymitis (testicle inflammation) Hydrocele (fluid buildup that causes swelling of the scrotum)
Rest and protect your testicles and groin. Stop, change, or take a break from any activity that may be causing your pain or soreness. Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
Testicular pain sometimes requires no treatment and will go away on its own. If the pain is a mild, dull ache, the testicle is not tender to touch and feels normal with no swelling, it is reasonable to take over the counter pain relief for a few days, which often settles it.
Torsion can happen to boys and men of any age, but is most common in 12- to 18-year-olds. It can happen after strenuous exercise, while someone is sleeping, or after an injury to the scrotum. Often, though, the exact cause isn't known.
“When kids are playing sports or messing around, they get hit down there quite often,” says pediatric urologist Audrey Rhee, MD. But persistent pain after a kick or hit can signal trauma that requires urgent medical treatment. Scrotum pain can also be a sign of infections or other medical conditions.
They descend from the abdomen at or near birth, and one thing a pediatrician checks for in boys is if their testicles have descended properly. At puberty the testicles begin to grow rapidly and get much larger, so they naturally hang lower as they get bigger. But they don't “drop” at puberty.
Most of the time, a boy's testicles descend by the time he is 9 months old. Undescended testicles are common in infants who are born early. The problem occurs less in full-term infants. Some babies have a condition called retractile testes and the health care provider may not be able to find the testicles.
Testicular pain can be a result of several different causes, ranging from normal growth of the testicles, infection, injury or testicular torsion. Testicular torsion is one of the most serious causes of testicular pain and needs to be addressed urgently to prevent permanent damage to the testicle.
Most testicular lumps and swellings are caused by benign (non-cancerous) conditions, although occasionally they can be a symptom of testicular cancer. It's important to see your GP if you notice a lump or swelling in one of your testicles so they can try to identify the cause and arrange any further tests if necessary.
An overactive muscle causes a testicle to become a retractile testicle. The cremaster muscle is a thin pouch-like muscle in which a testicle rests. When the cremaster muscle contracts, it pulls the testicle up toward the body.
Boys need to know that any genital pain is serious and should not be ignored. Ignoring testicle pain for too long or simply hoping it goes away can result in severe damage to the testicle and even its removal.
Immediate action required: Go to A&E immediately or call 999 if you have: sudden, severe pain in a testicle. testicle pain along with feeling sick, being sick or pain in your tummy. testicle pain that has lasted more than an hour or continues when you're resting.
Anxiety affects every part of the body, including the genitals. On men, this may result in conditions such as testicular pain and a smaller penis. In women, this could result in yeast infections, dryness, and other health conditions. Anxiety may also lead to issues with libido and sexual desire.
In the scrotum, testicles are about 2°C cooler than normal core body temperature, which is important for sperm production. This is why the scrotum contracts and brings the testes closer to the body in cold weather and relaxes in hotter weather.
Calcifications: These are small structures in the testicle or along the main sperm pipeline (vas) can become hard, almost rock like. These are always painless and rarely need to be removed.
The testicles contain a great number of densely packed nerve endings in a small area. This high concentration of nerves makes them very sensitive and susceptible to pain. Unlike other organs, which may be internal and receive protection from muscles and bones, the testicles are external and more vulnerable to injury.
Many testicular problems cause both pain and swelling. Sometimes, the pain can be dull or achy and worsen over time. Testicular pain can also be sudden and severe and can make a child's stomach upset. If your child has sudden, severe pain in the testicles, it's important to see a medical provider right away.
Curiosity about genitalia is a perfectly normal part of early sexual development. When little kids touch their own genitals or show an interest in looking at other people's private parts, they are most likely doing what young children are born to do: learning about themselves and the world around them.
There are case reports showing that testicular torsion could happen at age beyond 60. Although more than 88.5% of testicular torsion happen before age of 25,2 testicular torsion should not be only ruled out by age.