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Testicular Pain (cont.)

Medical Treatment

The medical treatment for testicular pain depends on the cause of the pain:

  • Testicular torsion: This condition requires immediate surgery by a urologist (specialist in genital and urinary organs). Prior to surgery, a doctor may attempt to untwist the testicle to relieve the problem temporarily.

  • Epididymitis: In addition to pain medicine, the doctor will give the patient antibiotics for 7-10 days.

    • The particular antibiotic used will depend on the age and sexual history of the patient.

    • Rarely, the patient may need to be admitted to the hospital.

  • Torsion of a testicular appendage: Doctors may offer no specific treatment for this problem other than pain medicine and ice. The pain should go away within about one week.

  • Inguinal hernia: Hernias usually require surgery. If the patient has severe pain that cannot be relieved, doctors may do surgery immediately.

  • Tumor: If the patient has testicular cancer, he will be referred to a specialist for further treatment.

  • Rupture or hematocele/pyocele: A urologist will assess this problem and may perform immediate surgery.

  • Kidney stone: The patient will be given pain medicine, and an imaging study may be ordered to determine the location and size of the kidney stone.

  • Orchitis: Depending on the cause, treatment may include pain medicine, ice, or antibiotics. Rarely, orchitis may require surgical drainage from a complication.


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