Testicle Pain

About a month ago I woke up with a fairly significant pain in my right testicle.

I waited about a week to see if it would get better, then went to urgent care

The doctor did a full exam but didn't find anything of concern.

So the following week I went back to urgent care again. New doc did another exam, again, nothing unusual found. She ordered an ultrasound, which I had to wait another two weeks for.
It's easy to be a Monday morning quarterback, but several things in this story trouble me as a physician. I'm glad to hear it all turned out okay, though.

1. Waiting a week when you had testicular pain wasn't a great idea.
2. Going to urgent care was a sub-optimal choice since most UCs don't have US capability. If you were my patient and called me with that complaint, I would have sent you to the ER right away. Some causes of testicular pain are surgical emergencies.
3. The first UC provider not recommending an US is deeply disturbing.
4. The fact that it took 2 weeks to get an US appointment is a disgrace.

You didn't mention anything about seeing a urologist. That really ought to be the next step, even if you're feeling better, especially since this has happened to you before. The evaluation from a specialist is going to be more thorough that that of most UC providers.
 
1. Waiting a week when you had testicular pain wasn't a great idea.

I only see doctors as a last resort and it usually takes over a month to get an appointment. The pain wasn't intense, just uncomfortable and lingering.

2. Going to urgent care was a sub-optimal choice since most UCs don't have US capability. If you were my patient and called me with that complaint, I would have sent you to the ER right away. Some causes of testicular pain are surgical emergencies.
3. The first UC provider not recommending an US is deeply disturbing.

First UC doc didn't find anything to warrant an ultrasound or CT scan (said so on the aftercare summary).

Second UC doc didn't see anything of concern either, but ordered the ultrasound just to be safe.

4. The fact that it took 2 weeks to get an US appointment is a disgrace.

Yeah, I was kind of surprised by the wait considering I was in pain. I was mostly better by the time I had the ultrasound. I was on a wait list for earlier appointments, but never got a call (they're usually gone by the time I respond anyway).

There was another older lady at the reception desk when we were in the waiting room. I don't know what kind of scan she was needing, but the receptionist told her they were booked out until August 2025! Yikes.

You didn't mention anything about seeing a urologist. That really ought to be the next step, even if you're feeling better, especially since this has happened to you before. The evaluation from a specialist is going to be more thorough that that of most UC providers.

No urologist. Other than a CT scan every other test came back normal. I'm of the belief if you go looking for something, you'll find it. :)
 
I only see doctors as a last resort and it usually takes over a month to get an appointment.
Not at the ER.
First UC doc didn't find anything to warrant an ultrasound
A guy with testicular pain that can't be explained on exam warrants an US.
No urologist. Other than a CT scan every other test came back normal. I'm of the belief if you go looking for something, you'll find it. :)
Yeah, that's kind of the point. I much prefer finding issues when they're minor and treatable rather than when they are advanced and irreparable.
 
I have pain in my right testicle that started when and was a result of hernia surgery on my right groin. The pain worsens when I lift something heavy or intense exercise or long hikes. I've found that wearing an athletic supporter(jock strap) helps a lot. cradling the jewels reduces the bounce and sway and the pain resulting from that. It's may be also worth mentioning to your SO that reducing the volume of the contents of your testicles provides great relief from the pain. It's worth a shot! lol.
 
I've had urology issues treated in the ER and urgent care before seeing my urologist. He was amused by their suggestions. I was happy to drive a couple hours each way for his expertise.

Please check a urologist out, there's a reason they study a few cubic feet of the body for multiple years.
 
Female here.....

Our son had this issue. Started when he was 35, he had pain and very bad swelling. Saw a urologist and got scanned and tested for everything. Ruled out kidney stones and tumors and some other things. Treated with ibuprofen and doxycycline but he would have bouts of this recurring. He would feel unwell as it started back up again and then would have the pain and swelling. After dealing with it for 2 years his urologist suggested removing the epididymis. He had this done a few months ago and it seems to have been the right thing to do. He said the recovery was longer than he expected but he's glad he had it done. He had to be very careful with that area for a few weeks but all is good now. The lab results on the removed tissue showed scarring which must have been what caused this to keep coming back.

If I don't have all the details correct it's because it was his testicle and I'm the Mom!

He's the father of two boys, 6 and 3 and they are happy with the size of the family so that was not an issue.
 
I have had testicle pain in the past. First, I experienced torsion as a teen. Believe me, you’d know if that was what you had: massive swelling and pain. One testy died; I had surgery to actually tie the other down so it wouldn’t twist. Ever since, the stitching can be felt through touch, and that near the epididymis sometimes gave me a little pain, particularly when colder weather arrived and things, um, contract; basically, it just got a little crowded. Northforker reminds me that a urologist at the time also did tell me that, um, draining some supply at least periodically would ease the pressure. 🤷🏼‍♂️ Meanwhile, I later had hernia surgery, not related to the scrotum but near, and yes, there can be referred pain in the scrotum and elsewhere, after the hernia repair. It’s basically sensitive nerves, sometimes aggravated by lifting or athletics.

Anyway, those are a couple of possibilities. Little aches occasionally may not be so unusual. But as one doctor told me back then, you don’t deserve to live with constant pain.
 
Thanks for these stories. I've got my own maladies, but at least this isn't one of them. Transient issues in the past allow me to get a basic understanding of the issue, but it's got to be a very difficult thing to deal with, long term.
 
I have pain in my right testicle that started when and was a result of hernia surgery on my right groin. The pain worsens when I lift something heavy or intense exercise or long hikes. I've found that wearing an athletic supporter(jock strap) helps a lot. cradling the jewels reduces the bounce and sway and the pain resulting from that. It's may be also worth mentioning to your SO that reducing the volume of the contents of your testicles provides great relief from the pain. It's worth a shot! lol.

Some who have complained about testicle pain/discomfort had some sort of groin issue/strain. Letting the groin heal would alleviate the testicle discomfort.
 
...

He's the father of two boys, 6 and 3 and they are happy with the size of the family so that was not an issue.
That's why we have an installed spare, just in case we're not.
 
I had a 5cm Epidydimal Cyst removed in July of this year. No acute pain before or after the procedure and all is well now.

Vasectomy over 25 years ago.
Inguinal hernia repair with mesh over 25 years ago.
Diagnosed with a small hernia on my right side a few years ago, thought it had gone South this spring so I went back to the Surgeon. He referred me to a Urologist after an exam and ultrasound. Urologist diagnosed the cyst and it was taken care of. Quick and efficient procedure at the surgery center of his practice.

5cm is large and could have been left alone but it was getting in the way and would only get larger. Was probably lingering for a while and then accelerated earlier this year for some reason.

These types of things are 50/50 on re-occurrence and some people are prone to them. Overall the procedure was the least painful or uncomfortable compare to a vasectomy or hernia.

Have been back to full activity since September and I keep the boys high and tight
 
I have pain in my right testicle that started when and was a result of hernia surgery on my right groin. The pain worsens when I lift something heavy or intense exercise or long hikes. I've found that wearing an athletic supporter(jock strap) helps a lot. cradling the jewels reduces the bounce and sway and the pain resulting from that. It's may be also worth mentioning to your SO that reducing the volume of the contents of your testicles provides great relief from the pain. It's worth a shot! lol.
I tried that once and DW told me to do it myself (for faster relief!) She's very helpful that way.
 
My U doc told me he hears this complaint a lot, and he tells guys to have a soak in a hot bath for 15 mins. He says most guys report that fixes it.
 
1. Waiting a week when you had testicular pain wasn't a great idea.
2. Going to urgent care was a sub-optimal choice since most UCs don't have US capability. If you were my patient and called me with that complaint, I would have sent you to the ER right away. Some causes of testicular pain are surgical emergencies.
3. The first UC provider not recommending an US is deeply disturbing.
4. The fact that it took 2 weeks to get an US appointment is a disgrace.
These points could and should be made for any mystery pain in any body part. "wait and see if it goes away" after, say 50, is never a solid idea. Sure, it just might! But that doesn't mean the underlying issue has gone away, and won't be harder to treat and worse when (and not if, it's always when) it recurs.

If you have doctors - primary, urologist, cardio, derma, gyno, etc., no matter gender or part of the body - where if you can't at least say "i'm in pain, I have a new symptom that worries me, can I see their LPN at least?" and get an appointment within the week, you need to shop around and find a better doctor. Urgent care or the ER is for stabilizing, not for chronic ongoing stuff that needs treatment and follow up. You are a customer and a patient and should be picky and pushy.

And even if something DOES get resolved via the ER/UC, a follow up with the specialist or your primary is super important.
 
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