Why Is My Left Testicle Hurting?

Experiencing pain in either your right or left testicle can be concerning. The underlying cause can be a minor issue, like mild trauma. But the discomfort can also be due to more serious conditions, such as testicular cancer or testicular torsion.

Pain in your testicles may originate from the testicle itself or may be referred from other nearby areas such as your lower back or groin.

Most medical conditions that cause pain in your left testicle can also cause pain in your right testicle. Some causes may only cause pain on one side, whereas others are more likely to cause pain on both sides.

It’s important to seek medical care if you have pain in your testicles without an obvious cause, especially if you have severe pain that could be a sign of a serious condition that requires prompt treatment.

Below, check out some common causes of testicular pain, specifically left testicle pain. (And keep in mind, testicular pain is very different from having a sore penis.)

One of the most common causes of testicular pain is direct injury or trauma to your testicles. About 10 percent of abdominal trauma cases cause genital or urinary tract damage, and most of those cases affect the external genitalia. Men are at a higher risk than women due to the vulnerable anatomy of the penis, testicles, and scrotum.

Trauma can occur during sports, other physical activities, or accidents. One study looking at over 8,000 cases of scrotal trauma in the U.S. found scrotal or testicular trauma is rare, but occurs most commonly after assault by firearm. 

Your testicles are highly sensitive, and even a minor hit to the testicles or inflammation of the testicle can result in mild pain to severe pain. 

Along with sharp or dull pain on one or both testicles, you may have:

• Swelling

• Bruising

• Discoloration

• Noticeable enlargement of your testicle

In most cases, the pain subsides with home remedies such as:

• Rest

• Ice

• Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen

Severe trauma can cause testicular rupture, a medical emergency requiring surgery.

Epididymitis is inflammation of the epididymis, the coiled tube at the back of your testicle that stores sperm. It’s classified as acute epididymitis if it lasts less than 6 weeks or chronic if it lasts longer. More than 600,000 men experience epididymitis each year in the U.S. Most cases occur in men between 18 and 35 years of age.

Symptoms can include:

• Sudden or gradual pain in one or both testicles

• Fluid buildup around your testicle called a hydrocele (more on that below)

• Tenderness around your scrotum

• Painful ejaculation

Potential causes of epididymitis include:

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea (the most common cause)

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

• Groin injuries

• Side effects of a medication called amiodarone (used for an irregular heart rhythm)

• Tuberculosis

Treatment typically involves antibiotics to address bacterial infection, possibly with anti-inflammatory medications to relieve symptoms. Other ways you can reduce inflammation include:

• Rest

• Wearing supportive underwear

• Applying a cold pack to your groin

Testicular torsion is a serious condition where your spermatic cord twists and cuts off blood flow to one of your testicles. Your spermatic cord is the cord that attaches your testicle and epididymis to the rest of your reproductive tract.

Testicular torsion can occur spontaneously with no obvious cause or after physical activity. It’s most common in teenagers.

Symptoms of testicular torsion can include:

• Sudden and severe pain in one testicle

• Swelling

• Nausea and vomiting

• Abdominal discomfort

• One testicle appearing higher than the other

Testicular torsion is a medical emergency that requires immediate surgical intervention to untwist the spermatic cord and restore blood flow. Delay in treatment can lead to permanent damage or loss of the testicle.

A varicocele is an enlargement of the veins within the scrotum, similar to varicose veins in the legs. It is a common cause of testicular discomfort and may also affect fertility. About 15 to 20 percent of men have a varicocele. Even more—about 40 percent—of men with infertility have one.

Pressure in these veins can lead to pain often described as throbbing or a dull ache.

Some people have no noticeable symptoms. In rare cases, pain might be sharp or stabbing.

While mild cases may not require treatment, more severe varicoceles might need surgical treatment. There are no medications known to effectively treat varicoceles. 

A hydrocele is the accumulation of fluid around your testicle between layers of a tissue called tunica vaginalis. It’s often painless but can result in a feeling of heaviness or discomfort if the swelling is significant.

Hydroceles can occur due to:

• Inflammation

• Injury

• Congenital conditions you’re born with

• A reaction to tumors or infections, such as epididymitis

Treatment may not be necessary for small hydroceles not causing symptoms. Larger or symptomatic swelling can be treated by a doctor who can drain the fluid with a needle, called aspiration. Aspiration is often effective but it comes with a small risk of infection. The hydrocele can also be removed surgically.

Orchitis refers to inflammation of one or both testicles. It’s often caused by viral infections such as mumps. About20 to 30 percent of boys or men who get mumps after puberty develop orchitis.

Orchitis is more often unilateral, meaning symptoms develop only on one side.

Othercauses include:

• Viruses such as rubella, coxsackievirus, varicella, echovirus, or cytomegalovirus

• Bacterial infections of the kidneys or urinary tract

• STIs

• Autoimmune diseases

Potential symptoms include:

• Testicular pain

• Swelling

• Fever

• Fatigue

• A feeling of heaviness in your scrotum.

Orchitis may also coexist with epididymitis. When these two conditions occur together, it’s often referred to as epididymo-orchitis.

Treatment for orchitis depends on the underlying cause. Viral orchitis may resolve on its own with supportive care such as:

• Rest

• Applying ice

• Pain relievers such as ibuprofen

Bacterial orchitis requires antibiotic therapy prescribed by a doctor. It’s important to seek medical attention any time you suspect an infection in or around your testicles. 

A spermatocele is a cyst that grows and develops close to your testicle. These cysts often don’t cause symptoms and are filled with a milky white substance that might contain dead sperm cells. They may cause pain or a feeling of heaviness if they grow large. These large cysts are known as giant spermatoceles. 

Giant spermatoceles are rare. They can be treated with aspiration to remove fluid with a needle, as well as sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a chemical to shrink the cyst. 

An inguinal hernia occurs when a portion of your intestines protrudes through a weak spot in your abdominal wall and into your groin or scrotum. This bulging can result in pain directly caused by pressure on your scrotum or referred pain that radiates to your scrotum from pressure on other structures in your groin. 

Symptoms can include:

• A visible bulge in your groin area

• Discomfort or pain that worsens with physical activity

• A dragging sensation in your scrotum

Hernias usually don’t resolve on their own and often require surgical repair, particularly if they cause significant pain. There’s also a risk of complications like strangulation, when the blood supply is cut off to your intestines.

Older studies indicate that doctors perform an estimated 800,000 inguinal hernia repairs in the U.S. each year, often using minimally invasive procedures. 

Testicle cancer affects about 1 in 250 males in their lifetime. Unlike most cancers, it’s common in younger people. The average age at diagnosis in the United States is around 33. 

Testicular cancer is often painless in its early stages until the tumor grows quite large. The most common initial symptom is a noticeable lump on one of your testicles. 

Some people may experience a dull ache or heaviness in their testicle or scrotum. 

Early detection is key to successful treatment. If your healthcare provider suspects testicular cancer, they’ll conduct tests such as: 

• Physical exam

• Review of your personal and family medical history

• Ultrasound

• Blood tests

Treatment typically involves surgery to remove the affected testicle (called an orchiectomy), sometimes followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Pain from kidney stones can radiate to the testicles, especially if the stones are located in the lower ureter near the bladder. You may also have other symptoms such as:

• Severe flank (torso) pain

• Blood in your urine

• Nausea and vomiting

• Fever and chills

• Cloudy urine

• Burning when urinating

Kidney stones tend to be more common as men get older.

Treatment for kidney stones depends on the size and location of the stones. Small stones may pass on their own if you drink extra fluids and take medications to reduce pain, such as ibuprofen.

Larger stones may require medical procedures such as shock wave therapy or a surgical procedure called ureteroscopy. 

CPPS is characterized by ongoing discomfort in your pelvic area with an unknown cause. It’s associated with chronic prostatitis, or long-term inflammation of the prostate that may or may not be associated with bacterial infections. 

People with CPPS may have:

• Testicular pain

• Pain in prostate area

• Pain in perineum area

• Lower abdomen pain

The exact cause is often unclear. Symptoms seem to stem from a mix of psychological factors and issues in the immune, nerve, and hormone systems. It can occur in all age groups but appears to be particularly common in middle-age men.

Other symptoms can include:

• Persistent or intermittent urinary difficulties

• Painful ejaculation 

• Worsening pain with prolonged sitting 

Treatment often involves a combination of:

• Medications, including anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants

• Physical therapy 

• Stress-management techniques 

• Wearing athletic supporters during physical activity

Consulting a healthcare professional is the best step toward addressing testicular pain effectively, especially if you’re thinking: My left testicle hurts when I touch it.

While some causes of testicular pain are minor, others require prompt medical care to make sure they aren’t serious. If your primary healthcare provider thinks you may have a serious issue, they may refer you to a specialist in urology (the reproductive and urinary system) called a urologist

It’s important to seek immediate medical care in the emergency room if your pain is sudden, severe, or accompanied by symptoms such as:

• Swelling

• Fever

• Nausea

• Changes in testicular appearance

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing complications and ensuring optimal outcomes. Some conditions affecting your testicles may contribute to the development of complications such as infertility or hypogonadism.

Many conditions can cause pain in your left testicle that can range from mild to severe. Some (but not all) of the potential causes of testicle pain include:

• Injury or trauma 

• Epididymitis

• Varicoceles

• Hydroceles

• Testicle torsion

• Orchitis

• Spermatoceles

• Hernia

• Testicular cancer

• Kidney stones

• CPPS

It’s important to seek medical attention any time you notice symptoms involving your testicles without an obvious cause.