3 Ways to Treat Swollen Testicles

Text size:  |  Post a comment  |  Print  |   | 
Add to my favorites

1. Know What is Bugging Your Balls?

In order to successfully treat your swollen testicles, it is imperative to know the underlying cause. Experts say that your health care provider will perform a physical examination and may ask you a series of questions about the swelling such as, when it developed, if it was like a bolt from the blue, if it's getting worse all the time and the size. Quantify as accurately as you can. Of course, most likely he will take a close look. He will also be interested to know if the swelling may be fluid and if you feel tissue in the swollen area, if the swelling is in one part of the testicle or in the entire testicle, if you've ever had surgery on the genital area. You'll also want to let your doctor know if you ever had an injury or trauma to your testicles. Or if you've had an infection lately. Also let the doctor know if the swelling go down after you rest in bed and of any other pain or symptoms.

2. Treat Whatever is Bugging the Swollen Testicles

Swollen testicles may be due to bacteria and viruses. The condition also called orchitis in medical parlance is usually treated with antibiotics or pain relievers. Your doctor may order antibiotics to treat the underlying infection. Infection could be due to gonorrhoea and Chlamydia spreading from the urethra or bladder. In fact, special antibiotics may be required to treat sexually-transmitted infections. Even your sexual partners might need to be simultaneously treated. Usually the tube called epididymis, which connects the testicle with another structure inside called vas deferens gets swollen. And testicles get in turn enlarged. Viral infection called mumps may also lead to swollen testicles in some patients, usually past their puberty. Your doctor might respond with appropriate pain medications and anti-inflammatory medications.

3. Rest, Relax and Follow up

Your doctor might also suggest adequate bed rest, raising the testicles up. You may want to apply ice packs to the area, as well. In any case, you might want to make sure to follow up with your physician to check if the infection has completely resolved. In fact, with appropriate antibiotic therapy, the swollen testicles should return to normal without any damage to prior sexual or reproductive abilities. However, swelling might return at a future date. As such, it is vital that you let your doctor know of swollen testicles at the earliest opportunity. It should then be possible to get rid of the infection or swelling with greater success.

About this Author

Sridhar Nadamuni is an editorial consultant and freelance health writer based in Toronto, Canada. He has an MSc in Life Sciences. He has written for consumer and trade publications in India, Europe and North America on topical health issues.

Last updated on: 11/18/09

Member Comments

Tools

Track your daily calories. See how many calories you burn and consume.

BMI is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight.

Map your local running, cycling, walking and hiking routes and track your calorie burn.

Find us on the web, receive emails and use our mobile app to keep you motivated.

This tool will help you to decide whether to treat at home or see a doctor.