Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. Statistics say that 10 to 15 percent of adults in the United States suffer from Irritable bowel syndrome. However, only 5 to 7 percent of these people have been diagnosed with this disease.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an annoying condition. It can have several adverse effects. IBS testicular pain can often co-occur. It’s not uncommon to have testicular pain while suffering from irritable bowel syndrome.
One of the main focuses of my discussion will bowel problems cause testicle pain. Moreover, I will also try to go through a few ways to manage your testicular pain.
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Signs and symptoms of testicular pain
You might feel IBD and testicle pain for several reasons. The criteria of pain vary from person to person. Some people complain of dull and numbing pain. Some patients complain about pain before and after releasing bowels.
The pain may come in waves. It sometimes feels like a sharp, stabbing pain. The pain may persist for several days, then go away on its own. It comes back after a few days. Patients have also complained about shrinkage of testicles and persistent pain.
The pain may be aggravated while changing positions. Usually, it is a dull ache, and you may feel tenderness while palpating your genitals. The pain may spread as right testicle pain and lower abdomen pain to your abdomen and posterior side.
Accompanied symptoms with testicular pain
Several other signs and symptoms can accompany IBS testicular pain. You must be alert and look out for your symptoms to prevent the condition from getting worse. Make sure to consult your general physician. Tell them your observations precisely.
The other signs and symptoms with testicular pain may include:
- Your testicles may feel tender upon touch
- Redness or erythema of the testicles may be observed
- Swelling may be present, and they may become larger in dimension
- The pain may be accompanied by fever
- You might feel pain while urinating
- Excessive pain may lead to nausea and vomiting
- Penile discharge may be present
- You might have painful sexual intercourse
- Pain during ejaculation may be present
- Blood may appear in the urine
- Specks of blood may be present in ejaculation
Testicular pain on its own is an annoying condition. However, you should keep an eye out for other symptoms as well.
IBS Testicular Pain
Initially, bowel and testicular pain may seem unrelated. But, a lot of male patients with Irritable Bowel syndrome suffer from pain in the testicles. So, it is not an uncommon phenomenon. Let’s go through the connection between IBS and testicular pain.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a painful but common condition. This syndrome causes painful spasms and contractions of the large intestine, i.e., the colon. Irritable bowel symptoms do not lead to cancer. It also doesn’t severely harm the intestines.
Most of the patients in the emergency room with stomach pain are suffering from IBS. IBS causes stomach pain, abdominal pain, cramps, gas, and bloating. It also causes abnormal bowel habits.
Some people experience severe diarrhea and watery stool. While others suffer from constipation. There are cases of experiencing alternate episodes of diarrhea and constipation.
These abdominal conditions can lead to testicular pain. The nerves that lead to your testicles come from several places, including your abdomen, around your stomach, kidney, etc. When you suffer from constipation or irritable bowel movement, you tend to put pressure while relieving yourself.
Related: Does Almond Milk Cause Constipation?
This pressure, in turn, may cause pain and may spread to the testicles. This is called referred pain. Excessive stress can lead to inflammation of the nerves. This would result in persistent pain in the testicles.
Other causes for testicular pain
If you’re suffering from IBS testicular pain, then both might be related. However, that might not always be the case. Since pain in your testicles is a sensitive issue, you should consider other causes as well.
Here are some other conditions that might cause testicular pain:
Testicular torsion
Testicular torsion is a condition where the spermatic cord that attaches the testicles to the body becomes twisted, obstructing blood supply. If the twisting is continued, the testicular tissue might face necrosis. That means that testicular tissue might start to die.
It can happen during vigorous exercise, heavy weight lifting, sexual intercourse, etc. It is common in ages 12 to 18 but can happen to anyone. It is a severe condition indeed.
Symptoms include severe pain in the scrotum, swelling, abdominal pain, swelling, redness, nausea, vomiting, etc.
Testicular torsion should be considered a medical emergency. Check with your doctor as soon as you can if you’re suspicious. The doctor may be able to untwist the spermatic cord manually. But, you may need to consider surgery if that is not possible.
Vasectomy
Experiencing scrotal pain after a vasectomy is very rare, but it can happen. Vasectomy is a surgical procedure where the duct that carries your sperm to the urethra is sealed. It’s not entirely clear why such pain might occur.
But the damage to the nerve structures down in the scrotum might be the leading cause. Only 1 to 2 percent of the patients have scrotal pain after vasectomy. You can manage this pain quickly. You can take nerve renewal supplements by consulting your doctor to help your condition.
Hydrocele
The testicles are hanging inside the scrotum with the help of cords and blood vessels. Surrounding the testicles, there is an amount of fluid. The fluid balance may be disturbed. This disturbance may cause an excessive amount of fluid production in the scrotum.
This may cause swelling. It necessarily does not cause pain. However, discomfort may develop due to the weight of the swelling. This problem should resolve on its own within 6 months. If that doesn’t happen, the doctor might need to take surgical measures.
Varicocele
Varicoceles are similar to spider veins. When there is an enlargement of the blood vessels in the testicles, it is called varicocele. Varicoceles mainly occur around the scrotum as well as surrounding areas. This might cause pressure build-up.
This doesn’t necessarily cause pain; however, it might cause discomfort. Prolonged persistence of this condition might indicate low sperm production. This might ultimately lead to fertility problems. So, you should get checked by a doctor if you notice any changes.
How to relieve testicular pain?
There aren’t many easy home remedies for IBS testicular pain. You shouldn’t endure it; instead, you should visit your general physician as soon as possible. The doctor needs to identify your condition correctly. Only then it’ll be easier to prescribe drugs to relieve the pain.
You can take some over-the-counter painkillers to get temporary pain relief. The pain killers may include acetaminophen, paracetamols, Tylenol, etc. Be careful not to give children aspirin as it increases the risk of Reye’s disease.
The doctor might prescribe you the following treatments;
- Antibiotics in case an infection has occurred
- Painkillers for pain relief
- Use of ice to provide comfort
- Use of scrotal support to avoid discomfort
- Surgery (in case there is an adverse condition)
When to see a doctor?
Testicular pain should be treated as an emergency until proven otherwise. If you feel discomfort or pain, contact your doctor immediately. There might be instances where the pain is too much to handle. Go straight to the emergency room if something like this occurs.
Urologists, oncologists, and general surgeons specialize in such conditions. Your general physician should be able to treat basic problems. But, If there are underlying conditions, then a specialist might need to get involved.
Your doctor may perform a physical exam. They may also run blood tests, urethral swab cultures for checking STDs and discharge. They might take urine tests. Ultrasonography and nuclear exams might also help to identify the condition.
If you are experiencing testicular pain, then you shouldn’t wait. Sometimes digestive problems and testicular pain can be connected too. Thus, you should take steps and contact your doctor as soon as possible.
FAQs
Can bowel problems cause testicular pain?
Yes, bowel problems might lead to testicular pain. The nerve endings in the testicles come from the abdomen, around the stomach, kidney, etc. If one has bowel problems like irritable bowel disease, then one exerts pressure during bowel movement. This might lead to testicular pain.
Can IBS cause pelvic groin pain?
Pelvic groin pain is a common problem faced by patients suffering from IBS. One-third of women with IBS feel pain under the belly button. It is quite a common phenomenon.
What causes dull pain in testicles?
The dull pain in the testicles may be caused by trauma or injury. It can be due to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. There can be severe conditions like testicular torsion. It is best to get it checked by a doctor if you are feeling testicular pain.
Final thoughts
IBS testicular pain is not an uncommon phenomenon. However, there can be several reasons behind pain in the testicles. If you are facing discomfort, then it is advised that you should visit your doctor.
Testicular pain due to Irritable bowel syndrome is a manageable condition. However, you should not take risks as this concerns your reproductive health. Perform necessary tests.
Consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Only then can you take steps to reduce pain.
