Testicular Discomfort or Mass: Common Causes

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi, So basically I don't have major pain just a weird feeling like pressure or a slight heavy feeling around my left testicle and groin area. slight pain in my left leg don't know whether they are connected and also the pressure type feeling radiates into my lower abdomen on the left and slight hip and side pain I've been told pain with testicles radiates up to lower abdomen and hip and back. I've done the self examination numerous times and found no abnormal lumps on my testicles or Spermatic Cord. The only thing I can feel is the spermatic cord feels slightly swollen and a little bit more sensitive than the right one, it's not much more painful to the touch than my right one, it's mainly just that I can feel this pressure or heavy feeling. I just would really like to know what it is or what you think it might be?

There are a number of benign conditions that can cause your signs and symptoms. It is possible you may have a varicocele, a mild one. A varicocele develops when the valves of the testicular vein are incompetent, which means blood delivered into your left testicle stays there. This probably explains why there is some heaviness on the left testicle. Epididymitis (inflamed epididymis) may have similar signs and symptoms but is usually associated w/ pain. Hydrocele is an accumulation of fluid within the testicle, may also accumulate in the spermatic cord. This usually results from trauma, tumors and epididymitis. Worst case scenario, although the least of possible considerations is testicular cancer; some cases may present with testicular discomfort; if masses are present, they are usually painless. Testicular complaints are not to be taken lightly. I would suggest for you to avoid doing your own physical exam on your testicles (to minimize trauma) and go to a doctor to have tests done as soon as possible. A urologist would be the expert on this area. Some of these conditions, when not treated promptly, may cause infertility. Yours is probably a benign cause but it is always better to be safe than sorry. I do hope I have answered your question. Take care always.