Testicular Swelling

What is a testicular swelling?

Testes are the male sex organs located inside a pouch of skin called scrotum. Their main functions are to produce sperms and to secrete the hormone testosterone. Testicular swelling is a very painful condition. It can arise due to various conditions like direct injury, infection or torsion of testes. Testicular swelling must never be ignored and medical help must be sought immediately.

What are its main signs and symptoms?

Testicular swelling presents with bulkiness in the scrotum accompanied with a lot of pain. There might be redness and a constant heavy feeling with a dragging down sensation in the groin area. Some men also notice the passing of blood in their semen. Fever, pain with urination and feeling unwell are some symptoms seen if there is infection along with inflammation.

What are the main causes?

Testicular swelling can occur due to various reasons. The common ones are

• Direct injury
• Bacterial infections due to sexually transmitted disease
• Orchitis which is an inflammation of the testes
• Epididymitis (which is an inflammation of the tube that carries semen from the testes)
• Viral infection (commonly due to mumps virus)
• Testicular torsion (which is the painful twisting of the testes)
• Testicular cancer

How is it diagnosed and treated?

Diagnosis is based on medical history and a physical examination, which is focused on thoroughly examining the area. The doctor may perform a rectal examination to check for prostate involvement. Besides these, blood and urine tests are done to check for infections. An ultrasound or a colour Doppler helps to determine the exact nature of the swelling and the probable cause.

Treatment varies based on the underlying cause of the swelling. In case of bacterial infection, an antibiotic course is prescribed for 10-14 days. Pain management drugs including anti-inflammatory medications are given, as needed. In case of fever, an antipyretic is advised. Sexually active men are advised to wear condoms or to refrain from sexual contact until they become symptom-free. Self-care involves rest, scrotal support and applying ice packs locally for 15-20 minutes daily.

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