Identifying the Culprit Behind Testicular Pain - Epididymitis or Varicocele?

Testicular pain is a common occurrence among men in their daily lives. It can manifest as mild, dull discomfort that persists for several days, or as severe, intense pain accompanied by swelling and discomfort in the testicles. Epididymitis and varicocele are two common conditions that can cause testicular pain. So, which one is the culprit? Read on to discover the answer in this article!

How Does Epididymitis Contribute to Testicular Pain?

Epididymitis is a prevalent urological condition that affects males and can present as either acute or chronic. Acute epididymitis may result from retrograde infection or scrotal injury. Symptoms typically include fever, elevated white blood cell count, scrotal swelling and pain, lower abdominal pain, and groin pain. The pain tends to worsen with standing or walking. In severe cases, the epididymis and testicles may swell, and tenderness in the spermatic cord can cause excruciating testicular pain.

On the other hand, chronic epididymitis develops gradually and is often a consequence of inadequate treatment of acute epididymitis or long-term infection. Symptoms include scrotal swelling, discomfort, pain, and exacerbated symptoms during sexual activity. The pain usually radiates to the lower abdomen and the inguinal region, and it may sometimes be accompanied by secondary hydrocele. The epididymis and testis may undergo varying degrees of proliferation and hardening, accompanied by mild tenderness.

How Does Varicocele Contribute to Testicular Pain?

Varicocele is a vascular disease caused by genetic factors related to congenital developmental abnormalities. If the patient has congenital weak vascular walls or poorly developed venous valves, long-term upright walking increases venous blood pressure, which can cause varicocele.

Varicocele can cause testicular pain. Because most varicoceles compress the testes and epididymis, causing testicular nerve compression and resulting in testicular pain.

In addition, people with varicocele are often accompanied by varying degrees of orchitis, which can cause abnormal enlargement of the testicles and easily cause testicular pain. Testicular pain requires active treatment, otherwise it can lead to impaired sperm production and affect normal male fertility.

The testicular vein itself does not have venous valves. Therefore, these chemical neurotransmitters will reflux into the testis through the testicular vein, causing chemical stimulation and resulting in this hidden pain symptom. At the same time, there are rich venous anastomoses between the bilateral testes, and varicocele on one side can cause testicular pain and discomfort on both sides.

Is it epididymitis or varicocele that causes testicular pain?

As seen above, epididymitis and varicocele can cause testicular pain, but they are entirely different diseases.

Epididymitis is a pathological change caused by inflammatory lesions of the spermatic cord, with lesions including shrinking of the spermatic vein and swelling and inflammatory reaction of the epididymal connective tissue. During the acute phase of epididymitis, there is obvious pain accompanied by high fever. After becoming chronic, the epididymis can be palpably swollen and tender. Antibiotics are effective in treating acute epididymitis, while chronic epididymitis can be treated with natural medicine Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill.

Varicocele is a disease caused by excessive blood flow in the spermatic vein wall, with lesions including enlarged and tortuous spermatic veins. Patients with varicocele have less obvious pain, but people can feel a tortuous and dilated vein mass in the scrotum, accompanied by venous blood reflux and sexual dysfunction. Surgery is often required for treatment.