The testicles, the organs that are the site of both testosterone production and sperm synthesis in man, hang outside the body because of the requirement that they remain slightly cooler than body temperature. As a result, are sensitive to various environmental and physical insults, especially when the rest of you is in motion. Pain in the testicles while running can result from a variety of sources ranging from comparatively benign to very serious.
Adjacent Inflammation
Inflammation of structures near the testicle can manifest as testicular pain. For example, epididymitis, which most often strikes men between the ages of 20 and 40 is an inflammation of the sperm-carrying tube connected to the back of the testicle. It usually occurs on one side, and the most common cause is a sexually transmitted disease, or STD, such as gonorrhea. Besides testicular pain worsened by movement, symptoms include a swollen scrotum, bloody or unusual discharge from the urethra, and pain on urination or ejaculation. Treatment depends on the cause; if an STD is the culprit, you'll be given a course of antibiotics. In any event, you should stop running for at least a few days.
Circulatory Compromise
Interruption of the blood supply to the testicle rapidly leads to pain. Testicular torsion, for example, occurs when the testicle twists around, or torses, on its spermatic cord, somewhat in the manner of an object suspended from a rope, cutting off the blood supply to the testicle. This usually leads to the sudden onset of severe pain and swelling and constitutes a surgical emergency. You should stop running and seek medical assistance immediately, as surgery is required in most cases. If treatment is delayed, gangrene and loss of the organ may result. An abdominal hernia may also interrupt blood supply to one or both testicles when a loop of bowel protrudes into the scrotum; this, too, is corrected by surgery.
Prostate Disease
Pain resulting from prostatitis, or inflammation of the prostate, may be felt in the testicles. Prostatitis is most often the result of bacterial infection. Pain or burning on urination or ejaculation, cloudy or bloody urine, and urethral discharge are some of the hallmarks of prostatitis, especially when fever and chills are present. Prostate cancer, one of the most common cancers in males older than 50, includes many of the same symptoms. If you have testicular pain along with these symptoms, stop running and see your doctor immediately.
Chafing and Trauma
Although running is not considered a contact sport, the extended repetitive motion of your legs can expose your testicles to forms of pain and injury sedentary people are unlikely to experience. The wrong kind of shorts or an ill-fitting pair can lead to chafing of the scrotum and soreness of the testicles, while an occasional misstep can result in transient "squashing" of a testicle with accompanying pain. Taking care to use petroleum jelly or body glide to minimize friction and wearing properly fitting and supportive shorts or tights can keep such insults from occurring.
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