Testicular pain in teens could be experienced as a sudden pain in the scrotum or testicular region. The pain may occur for short periods (acute-lasting for around three months) or persist for longer durations (chronic). It may happen in one or both testicles. The testicular pain and discomfort in teenagers may be due to several reasons. Read on as we explain the possible causes, symptoms, treatments, and management methods for teenage testicular pain.
Symptoms Associated With Testicular Pain In Teens
Symptoms can be seen in one or both testicles and may vary depending on the cause. Some of the common signs and symptoms that occur along with testicular pain include (1) (2): Testicular pain and swelling are also called acute scrotum. Sudden onset of severe testicular pain in teenage boys can be due to testicular torsion, and it needs emergency medical care (3).
What Can Cause Testicular Pain In Teenagers?
The most common causes of testicular pain in teens can be the following conditions (4). Seek medical care for the exact diagnosis and treatment of conditions causing testicular pain in your teen. The severity of pain may vary depending on the causing factors.
Who Is At A Greater Risk Of Having Testicular Pain?
Certain factors could increase the risk of testicular torsion, which is the leading cause of severe acute testicular pain. This may include (5):
Age: Teen boys may have an increased risk for testicular torsion. It is rare after the age of 25 years.
Family history: Positive family history may be linked to testicular torsion.
Sports injuries: Torsion may happen during sports activities if testicles are not protected with cups. However, many boys get this even when they sleep.
Unprotected sex: This can be the result of chlamydial and gonorrheal infections.
When To Call The Doctor?
If your teen has testicular or scrotal pain, then visit the emergency room soon. Early intervention could help, especially if the pain is due to testicular torsion that may cause permanent injury when left untreated for several hours. Treatment during the first six hours from the onset of testicular pain has a 90% chance to save the testicle, whereas this can decrease to 10% in 24 hours after the start of pain (1).
Medical Specialists To Treat Testicular Pain In Teenagers
The primary care physician could make a referral to the following specialists for evaluation and treatment.
Urologists General surgeons Oncologists
Your teen’s referrals are made based on the symptoms, physical examination, or after performing necessary diagnostic tests.
Diagnosing Testicular Pain In Teenagers
After a detailed assessment of symptoms and physical examination, your teen’s doctor may order some of the following tests to identify the cause of testicular pain (6).
Blood tests may help identify any inflammatory markers in the blood.
Urinalysis and urethral swab are useful to test for urinary or genital infection especially if penile discharges are present.
A kidney ultrasound is helpful to visualize kidney stones.
Testicular ultrasound may help assess the blood flow to the testicles in the cases of testicular torsion. It may also give a diagnosis of testicular rupture, tumors, hematocele (collection of blood), or epididymis.
Nuclear imaging can help assess the testicles in testicular torsion by comparing the distribution of special dyes.
In a few cases, if the testicular torsion is suspected, then after necessary tests, your teen may receive surgery without any further imaging tests.
Treating Testicular Pain In Teenagers
The following treatments can be given after the evaluation, depending on the cause of testicular pain (7).
Pain relievers: This could include anti-inflammatory medications.
Rest and application of ice packs: Minor injuries can be treated with rest and ice pack along with pain medications, as per doctors’ recommendations.
Antibiotics: Antibiotic prescription for 10 to 14 days may be provided in the case of orchitis or epididymitis to fight infection.
Support for the scrotum or scrotal elevation: Pain relief due to elevation of the scrotum is called Prehn’s sign. Acute idiopathic scrotal edema, which is the swelling of the scrotum without tenderness, may need elevation of the scrotum for the management.
Surgery: Testicular torsion requires immediate surgery, which may include untwisting of the testicles and orchiopexy that is fixing the testicles to the scrotal wall. Sometimes, the surgeons may perform manual untwisting before surgery. Testicular rupture, hematocele, penetrating injuries, and testicular tumors may also require surgical treatment.
Treatment of renal problems: Kidney stones can be treated with medications or through lithotripsy, which is a medical procedure to break kidney stones.
Home treatments and over-the-counter medications are not recommended for the treatment of testicular pain before identifying the cause. Ibuprofen (Advil) and Tylenol may give temporary pain relief. Seek emergency care if your teen has testicular pain.
Tips To Prevent Testicular Pain In Teenagers
Some causes of testicular pain can be prevented by taking these measures (8) (9).
Vaccination against mumps virus to reduce the risk for viral orchitis
Wear protective cups or other protective clothing during sports activities
Using condoms could minimize the risk of sexually transmitted infections or diseases
The regular self-examination of the testicles could help identify lumps of testicular tumors. It can help seek early diagnosis and treatment for better outcomes. Speak to the doctor to help the teen understand the correct way of self-examining the testicles.
Although one testicle can perform the functions, testicular implants can be surgically placed to improve aesthetic appearance or if a teen has emotional difficulties in accepting a single testicle (5). You may assure them that it is a part of growing up, and there is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about. Encourage them to inform you about any testicular pain since early treatment is the best way to prevent permanent damage or loss of testicles (5).
