What causes lump on testicle? Get Insights on the reasons for cyst, pea sized, and hard lumps that hurt, forming on the right, left side or bottom of the testicle, how to get rid and best treatment.
The majority lumps and swellings on testicle are caused by non- cancerous conditions that may either need or not need treatment. What is important is to examine your condition to know if it needs doctor’s attention or not.
Lump on Testicle Causes
A lump that develops on the testicle may be abnormal with severe symptoms or with less pain. The testes occur under the penis in the sac- like bag called scrotum. Their main function is to provide sperm and hormone called testosterone. A testicular mass or lump is a fairly common condition that can have many different causes. This problem may appear in males at any age.
The lump may be located at one side of the testicle or both. The lumps always indicate a sign of problems on the testicles. There are many different conditions that may result to lumps on testicles. Here we shall look at some of the causes.
Causes of testicular lumps and swellings
There are many reasons why your testicles may become swollen or develop a lump. Some of the main causes may include:
Varicocele
Is a type of lump that is most common type on the testes. It occurs in about one in every seven men, as research reveals. Enlarged veins in the testicles may cause this disease. The problem become more noticeable when one is in puberty, as blood flow in this stage increases in the fully developed testicles.
Hydrocele
This is where fluid develops in the testicles and the condition is very common in the newborn male children. This is common in premature babies. The fluid may go away on its own after a given period of time. But it is important to notify your doctor and depend on his/ her advice.
Epididymal cyst
This occurs when the long coiled tube behind your testicles called epididymis become filled with fluid and can’t drain. If it contains sperm, it’s known as a spermatocele. This form of lump on testicles is very common and it usually go away on its own.
Testicular torsion
This is a condition that occurs when your testicles are twisted maybe due to an injury or accident. The condition mostly occurs to boys in the age of 13 to 17 years of age, but can affect males at any age level. The problem usually requires quick response to treat it as it may cause worse conditions.
Epididymitis and orchitis
Epididymis is a structure above your testicle that stores sperm. Epididymitis is the inflammation that occurs on the epididymis. It is caused by a bacterial infection from sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.
An infection also causes orchitis, which is also an inflammation of testicles. Bacteria or mumps virus can cause the infection.
Hernia
This problem occurs when part of your bowel pokes through your groin. This can cause your scrotum to become enlarged.
Testicular cancer
It also cause lump on testicles and only the doctor can ascertain that the lump is caused by cancer. This testicular cancer is not common but it is the most common type of cancer that attacks men at the age of 15 to 35.
Symptoms of testicular lump
Nearly all testicular lumps may cause a noticeable swelling and changes in the texture of the testicle. Other symptoms may vary with the underlying cause of the condition on the testicles.
- A varicocele rarely causes symptoms. If it does, the affected testicle may feel heavier than the other or the lump may feel like a small sac of worms.
- A hydrocele is painless in infants, but it can cause a feeling of abdominal pressure in older boys and men. it also causes visible swelling of the testicles.
- Epididymal cysts are also usually painless. In some males one may feel heavier than normal.
- An infection may cause pain, swelling, or tenderness in one or both of your testicles. It can also result in fever, headache, nausea and throwing up.
Though not common, testicular torsion is typically caused by a scrotal injury,. It may have the following symptoms:
- A fever
- Frequent urination
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Lump on testicles
- Unusual positioning of testicles
A lump caused by testicular cancer may have the following symptoms:
- A mild ache in the abdomen or groin
- Swelling or tenderness in your breast
- Heaviness in the scrotum
- A sudden collection of fluid in your scrotum
- Pain
Pea Sized on Testicle Lump
Lumps feel like masses within the testicle or scrotum. When other symptoms are added like swelling, pain and redness, an infection may be the cause. If the testicular lump is the only sign present, the cause may be injury, inflammation or a mass formation.
Some of the conditions for pea-sized lumps may be very serious, hence it is critical to go get testicular lump checked out by a physician. In the case of testicular cancer, early discovery greatly helps the rate of treatment and ability to cure the cancer.
Cyst on Testicle
An epydidymal cyst is a smooth, fluid-like lump found on the testicles. In some cases men affected may worry that they are a sign of cancer or another severe problem, epididymal cysts are in fact benign and hence have no health risks
The cysts form when fluid builds up in a tube behind the testicles called epididymis, which stores and transports sperm. It can happen that you have more than one lump on testicles at a time and they can appear on both testicles. It is said that up to a third of men are affected by this condition and the cysts can develop at any time in life, although it is most likely to occur in those who are middle aged.
Epididymal cysts can be very small, but some can grow to the same size as a testicle or even as large as a tennis ball. Not unless the cyst is infected, there are no symptoms, and in some cases it may be fluid filled and become painful and swollen.
When the epididymal cyst become large, it may cause some discomfort which then lead to some one opting for their removal. The removal involves a simple operation to cut the cyst out of the epididymis. Though, if a cyst is not infected and does not cause pain and discomfort, there is no need for surgery o treatment.
Although lump on testicles or epididymal cysts are benign, it is still necessary to get any new or unusual lumps and bumps in your genital area checked out by a physician.
Lump on Testicle Hurts so Much
There are numerous causes of lumps or pain in the scrotum or testicles. Most lumps are not caused by cancer, and a good number of them are normally not serious. Though, it is important to notify your doctor on any changes that may occur on your body. All males should know how their testes usually feel like, so that they can notice if some new changes occurring on them.
Painful lump on testicles may be caused by?
Swellings in the testicles can be due to extra fluid, abdominal tissue growing, and even normal tissue which has become swollen, inflamed or hard. This is usually accompanied by much pain and discomfort that may require doctor’s attention.
Common testicular painful lumps
The pain may be caused by a twisted testicle in the scrotum. The condition is normally called torsion of the testis. This commonly occurs in teens. It may also occur in younger children. The pain usually develop quickly in the affected testis but may also spread to the abdomen. The affected testis swells with tenderness and inflammation.
Inflammation of the epididymis [epididymitis] and testicles [orchitis] may also result to lump on testicle that is painful. This is usually a result of infection, most commonly from a urine infection or a sexually transmitted infection. It can happen to males who get mumps and does not occur often before puberty.
Also painful lump on testicle may be due to collection of blood around the testicle. This may be due to injury or trauma and the condition is commonly known as haematocele.
Common causes of painless lumps in the testicles
A condition known as hydrocele. It may be large or small and it usually occur with no pain. The condition occurs with fluid filled scrotum that appear swollen up. There is no apparent reason for hydrocele development, and the can be left alone to disappear. If needed a small surgery can help drain the fluid.
Another condition is inguinal hernia which occurs from the weakness in the wall of the abdomen the tissue from the intestines can pass into the tunnel that testicles passed through as they lowed to the scrotum causing the problem. The sausage shaped lump formed by hernia may go away if you lie down.
Also an epididymal cyst can cause a fluid-filled sac which grows at the top the testicle. It is benign and the lump can be felt separate from the testicle. A spermatocyte is a cyst which feels like an epididymal cyst but it is filled with sperm.
Varicocele, a collection of enlarged vein in the scrotum. It occurs next to and above one testicle or both of the testicles. Also testicular cancer is normally painless lump on testicles. Though this is not common.
Hard Lump on Testicle
The formation of a hard lump on your testicles may be as a results of numerous things. When a condition on the testicle is left unattended for a long period, it may result to more severe complication one of them being a hardened lump.
It is always important that one should respond fast when he realize a problem or some changes with his genital areas. A hard lump on testicle may be caused by either epididymal cyst or varicocele. Pain from varicocele usually will go away on its own and the swelling as well.
Lump on Bottom of Testicle
To feel for lumps that occur on bottom of the testicle, it is best to examine yourself when you are warm and relaxed after bath. You can stand in front of your mirror and hold each testicle in turn between your fingers. Feel the body of the testicle and all the structures attached to it.
Facts about testicular lumps
- The vast majority of swellings in the scrotum are benign and should not give cause for concern
- Benign in the scrotum may require surgical treatment if they cause significant symptoms
- A simple ultrasound scan will usually differentiate between benign and cancerous swellings
- If the lump is attached to the surface of the testicle, it is probably benign
- If the lump on testicles is within the body of the testis itself, there are possibilities it may be cancerous
- Testicular cancer may appear in men at the age of 20 to 50
The following may result to a swelling on the bottom of testicles
Swellings of the scrotum are usually cystic, inflammatory or solid. Clinical examination and ultrasound scanning can usually differentiate between the possible causes.
The first one is cystic swellings are the most common swellings and are caused by a hydrocele, a cyst in the epididymis or varicose veins above the testicle. They are benign and only require treatment if they cause serious signs.
Another cause is the infection of the epididymis, twisting of testicle or infection of the testicle itself due to mumps are the commonest causes of inflammation.
Solid swellings also may cause the problem. It include tuberculosis and syphilis, a sperm granuloma or nodule [usually following a previous vasectomy], chronic inflammation of the epididymis. If the lump is within the testicle itself, it may be a testicular tumour.
A hernias arising in the groin can extend down towards the testicle but simple examination will reveal that the swelling does not arise from the scrotum itself. Urologists do not treat hernias and your GP may recommend referral to a hernia surgeon.
Treatment available for this problems
Hydrocele repair, excision of an epididymal cyst and open surgery, laparoscopic surgery or radiological embolization may be needed for significant symptoms. Although treatment is not necessary.
For inflammatory swelling, antibiotics may be used to control the lump on testicle. Your doctor may refer you to a urologist if you are above 50 or to a genitomedical clinic if you are young and with sexually acquired disease. Testicular involvement with mumps usually requires no specific treatment apart from painkillers. Suspected torsion of the testis requires emergency attention which may involve surgery.
If you have testicular cancer, you will be referred urgently to the urology clinic. The testicle affected is remove through operation immediately. Artificial testicle can be inserted at the same time or at a later date.
Tuberculosis and syphilis are rarely seen nowadays but are treated with appropriate antibiotics. Sperm granulomas in the epididymis may be removed if they are uncomfortable but they do not always require treatment.
Lump on Testicle that Moves
There are times you may develop a lump on testicle that is movable as it may not be attached to the tissues of the testicle. Such kind of lumps are usually harmless and may just go away on their own. The lump may be infected or not. When it is infected it may need some treatment to go away. For antibiotics, may be efficient for bacterial infection.
Only the doctor should prescribe the appropriate medication.
Movable lumps are may be removed or left to go away on their own. In case of recurring episodes of the lumps, this is enough to tell you that there is a problem. It is important to see a doctor.
Lump on Testicle STD
In case one or both testicles are swollen, it is often disturbing and can cause a discomfort to the affected person. For people who is sexually active, it is easy to assume that swollen testicles are the result of an STD. apart from sexually transmitted diseases, there are many infectious and non-infectious causes of testicular swelling.
Several infectious causes of the lump on testicles include epididymis – inflammation of the tube that carries sperm from the testicles to the penis caused by the sexually transmitted diseases chlamydia and gonorrhea. The STDs can cause numerous symptoms besides swollen testes, and are easily treated with antibiotics. Orchitis [inflammation of one or both testicles] can also be caused by several types of bacteria and viruses.
Lump on testicles, or a sensation of a fullness in the testicle, may also result to an inguinal hernia. Inguinal hernias appears when part of the intestine becomes displaced, slipping through the inguinal canal into the testis. This develops a visible bulge in the testicular sac, swelling, and in most cases pain as the intestinal loop is confined or held up in such a small space.
Severe causes of lump on testicles
Testicular masses, such as a hydrocele, spermatocele, or rarely testicular cancer are also causes of testicular swelling. A hydrocele fluid collection around the testicle, spermatocele cyst that forms in the epididymis, and testicular cancer can all be painless, but can cause pain when they become large enough to press on other structures in the groin.
Testicle lumps are mostly caused by some potentially severe processes, it is very important that anyone experiencing testicular swelling be evaluated by a doctor to determine the cause. Swelling accompanied by sudden, severe testicle pain requires immanency medical attention.
- Your testicular is associated by severe or unexpected pain, nausea, or vomiting.
- You may feel lump on testicle in the scrotum
- Your swelling is associated by fever
- Your scrotum id tender to touch, is red, or feel warm
- You have been in recent contact with someone who has mumps.
How to Get Rid of Lump on Testicle, Treatment
If you want to treat your lump on testicle, it is important that you be aware of the underlying causes of the swelling. It is common that your health care provider may perform a physical checkup and also ask you a number of questions about the swelling like, when the lump started, and how you fill. He/ she may ask if you had intercourse before the swelling started or not to ascertain if it is a STIs or not.
He/she may want to know if it is getting worse all the time and the size. Quantity as accurately as you can. Or may be interested to have a closer look on the swollen testicle to confirm if the swelling may be fluid and if you fill tissue in the swollen area. If the swelling is on one part of the testicle or in the entire testicle.
The treatment that involves lump on testicle will depend on how you answer the questions and symptoms and the doctor may conduct some tests to conclude on the real problem.
Lump on testicle causes treatment
Treatment on hydrocele
This usually involves the doctor shining some light in the swelling to conclude that the swelling is caused by a fluid. If the swelling does not go away after some drug’s prescription, a surgery may be carried out to drain the fluid.
Treatment for torsion of the testis
Torsion of the testis occurs when the tissue supporting the testis is twisted hence block blood flow, you may need to see a doctor immediately. A minor surgery may be carried out immediately to re-aline the vessels.
Treatment for epididymis
Epididymis is a viral infection around the testis and the doctor may screen to ascertain the condition. You may be given anti- viral drugs and the problem may disappear after some days.
Treating Mumps
Mumps may lead to a lump on testicle and sore testis [orchitis] usually on one side. Orchitis may occur after 7 to 10 days after swelling of the glands. This can be treated by use of drugs. This should be done after testing done by a doctor.
Home care activities
It is important to always be careful to yourself to prevent sexually transmitted infections. You can use protection during intercourse or abstain if possible. You can as well be going for screening with your partner to be on the safe side. Lastly avoid having numerous sexual partners.