Is Testicular Pain A Sign Of An STD?

Certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can cause pain in your testicles and scrotum. Two of the main STDs that cause testicular pain are Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.

Chlamydia often goes unnoticed due to the lack of symptoms. In men, the most common symptom is a small amount of discharge from the penis. The symptoms can go away for periods of time, but that doesn’t mean that you no longer have the std. Even without symptoms, you can spread chlamydia to others and develop further complications in yourself.

Gonorrhea, like chlamydia, can sometimes be asymptomatic. That means that even though you are infected, you would have no apparent signs of infection.

When symptoms of gonorrhea and chlamydia are present in men they can include:

-White, yellow, or green urethral discharge, resembling pus
-Inflammation or swelling of the foreskin
-Pain in the testicles or scrotum
-Painful or frequent urination
-Anal discharge, itching, pain, bleeding, or pain when passing stools
-Itching, difficulty swallowing, or swollen neck lymph nodes
-Eye pain, light sensitivity, or eye discharge resembling pus
-Red, swollen, warm, painful joints

If left untreated, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea will eventually result in inflamed and swollen testicles. Both STDs may cause a medical issue called Epididymitis. Epididymitis is an inflammation of the tube called the epididymis running down the back side of the testicles. In the beginning, the pain and swelling can be mild, but if left untreated, the symptoms can become more pronounced and sever.

Other symptoms that could become present if Epididymitis is left untreated are:

-Low-grade fever
-Chills
-Pain in the pelvic area
-Pressure in the testicles
-Pain and tenderness in the testicles
-Redness and warmth in the scrotum
-Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin
-Pain during sexual intercourse and ejaculation
-Pain during urination or bowel movements
-Urgent and frequent urination
-Abnormal penile discharge
-Blood in the semen

It is important to get tested regularly once you become sexually active. Both Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are treatable and if treated in a timely manner — most people will not experience any lasting effects from these STDs. If left untreated, both STDs can cause irreversible damage to your reproductive organs. This damage can occur even if you never experience symptoms, so this makes it even more imperative to get tested on a regular basis.

If at any time you experience testicular pain and are unsure of the reason — you should always seek medical attention. There are other serious medical conditions that could be the cause of the pain and swelling in the testicular region that are not due to an STD.

Other reasons for swelling could include an infection in the prostate, UTI or mumps.

If you are sexually active and feel as though you may have contracted an STD that is causing swelling or pain there are simple tests that you can take from the privacy of your own home. myLAB Box™ offers at home a variety at home testing.