Men beware – scrotal pains are silent killers!

Testicular pains or heaviness in the scrotum is as a result of infection affecting the epididymis gland, and it could lead to cancer if ignored, an endocrinologist has said.

Speaking on Wednesday during an interview with NAN, Dr. Samuel Ola of the College of Medicine, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, urged men to pay attention to any pain in the scrotum.

He said the pains, which are major symptoms of testicular cancer, are common among African men and occur between the ages of 35 and 60.

“Testicular pain or discomfort is the pain felt in one or both testicles,” he said.

“The pain may originate from the testicle itself or may be the result of other conditions affecting the scrotum, groin, or abdomen.”

The consultant explained that the causes and symptoms of the pains could be difficult to differentiate, so he advised that medical evaluation of the pains should be sought immediately from a trained professional.

Ola said one of the more severe conditions that could cause pain is testicular torsion, in which case the testicle is twisted inside the scrotum, preventing blood from flowing into it.

He also said a more common cause of the pain is epididymitis, an infection of the epididymis gland, which could be treated with antibiotics.

“Testicular cancer is the most severe cause of testicular pain and manifests as a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum,” he said.

“The scrotum suddenly collects fluid and you can experience pain inside it or in one of the testicles or feel a dull ache in your groin or belly.”

He advised male athletes to wear a cup over their groin area when playing rough sports, adding that such cups prevent injuries to the testes.

“These pains are silent and sudden killers’ in African men,” he said, advising men to look out for such symptoms as nausea and vomiting, scrotal tenderness, scrotal swellings and redness, abdominal pain, and fever.