Will you believe if we say that, prolonged sitting will cause testicle pain? Yes, these days the sedentary lifestyle starts to affect individuals in multiple ways and this testicle pain is one among them. Several men experience pain or discomfort in their testicles when sitting for an extended period. Further, let’s focus on this unfamiliar connection between prolonged sitting and testicle pain, and we can also explore its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

What are testicles?

Before knowing why prolonged sitting causes testicle pain, it’s crucial to understand the anatomy of testicles. The testicles are nothing but two oval-shaped organs located within the scrotum, simply like a loose pouch of skin below the penis. They produce sperm and testosterone, the hormone that is crucial for male reproduction and development.

Testicles are crucial organs with complex structures. Each testicle is made up of numerous components, including the seminiferous tubules, which produce sperm. These tubules are closely coiled and lined with cells that undergo a process known as spermatogenesis, where the sperm cells are formed.

Around the seminiferous tubules, there will be Leydig cells that will produce the testosterone. This hormone is responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics, like deep voice, facial hair, and muscle mass. In case any issues arise in this organ consider reaching out to the best urology hospital in Coimbatore to avoid potential health issues.

Further, the testicles are surrounded by the spermatic cord, a structure that contains blood vessels, and nerves.

What are the common causes of pain in the testicles?

Various factors can trigger this pain in the testicles, the common causes include:

Testicular torsion: This condition arises when the spermatic cord, which supports the testicles, gets twisted, stopping the blood supply to the testicles.

Epididymitis: When epididymitis becomes inflamed, it is a coiled tube that stores and carries sperm, which will result in pain and inflammation in the testicles.

Inguinal hernia: When some part of an individual’s intestine pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles, it causes pain in the testicles.

We can say that testicular torsion is a medical emergency that needs immediate medical help, in case you overlook it, eventually, permanent damage will be caused to your testicles. Epididymitis is often caused by bacterial infection and can be treated by using antibiotics.

Also, the inguinal hernia doesn’t have a direct connection with the testicles, but it can cause some level of pain in the scrotum. This happens only when the hernia adds pressure on the nerves that supply the testicles, leading to discomfort and pain.

You need to understand that testicle pain can be triggered by a range of factors like trauma, STD (sexually transmitted disease), kidney stones, and even referred pain from issues in the lower back and abdomen. So always you should consider reaching out to the healthcare professional for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Is there any connection between prolonged sitting and testicle pain?

Yes, obviously there is a connection between prolonged sitting and testicle pain, further, let’s see what ways it causes testicle pain:

Posture:

Your posture remains a significant reason for testicle pain when sitting for an extended period. Simply, when slouching or sitting for a long time even without taking breaks, will add pressure on the pelvic area and compress the nerves and blood vessels supplying the testicles, resulting in discomfort and pain.

When sitting in the slouched posture for a continuous period your body will start to adopt that position. Also, the poor posture not only disturbs your back and neck but also affects the pelvic area. Eventually, your pelvis will tilt back, and cause your lower spine to round and the tailbone will tuck under.

Eventually, testicles are pushed upwards towards the body, which will increase the pressure on your nerves and blood vessels. Further, sitting for extended periods without taking breaks can result in muscle imbalances in the pelvic region. The muscle that is responsible for supporting your pelvis and testicles becomes tight and weakened, it will also cause pain and discomfort when sitting.

The role of pressure and compression:

When sitting continuously without taking a break it will add some pressure and compression in your pelvic area. Automatically, this pressure will restrict your blood flow to the testicles, resulting in discomfort and pain. Further, tight clothes like jeans or underwear, can worsen the issue by constricting the testicles and increasing the pressure.

Just imagine that you are sitting on a hard surface for an extended period, and that pressure on the surface will compress the blood vessels and nerves in the pelvic area, restricting the oxygenated blood flow to the testicles. This insufficient blood flow can result in testicular pain and can also result in conditions such as varicocele, in this condition veins in the scrotum become enlarged and twisted.

As mentioned above, the clothes we use play a pivotal role in testicle pain when sitting. Tight dresses like jeans or underwear can restrict the proper functioning of the testicles, worsening the pressure on the already compressed blood vessels and nerves. This causes throbbing, or sharp pain in the testicles, eventually, you will feel unbearable pain when sitting for a long time.

Also, you need to understand that, not just men will experience testicle pain as a result of prolonged sitting, women will also experience discomfort in their pelvic region due to sitting for an extended period. The pressure and discomfort in their pelvic region will disturb their ovaries and a few other reproductive organs, which causes pain and discomfort.

The only way to avoid this testicle pain is to take breaks in between when sitting for a long time. Also, you can try doing exercises that strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which will enhance your posture and reduce discomfort. Further, when opting for loose-fitting dresses and using ergonomic chairs can offer testicle pain relief by alleviating the pressure and helping for proper blood flow to the testicles.

What are the symptoms that are associated with testicle pain when sitting?

Simply, the testicle pain associated with prolonged sitting can be acute or chronic. Acute pain causes immediate and intense pain, and often which signals the need for medical help for conditions such as testicular torsion. While chronic pain gives persistent and intermittent pain that lasts for long periods.

Apart from pain, the symptoms associated with testicle pain while sitting for a long period include:

Inflammation of the scrotum
Nausea and vomiting
Fever
Feeling discomfort or pain when urinating
Discharge from the penis

How does sitting cause testicle pain?

Sitting for a continuous period can disturb your testicles in many ways, resulting in pain or discomfort. Further, let’s see how prolonged sitting and testicle pain are connected:

Pressure on the groin area:

Sitting for a long time on hard surfaces can add direct pressure on the perineal region, that is the area between the scrotum and anus. This pressure will compress your nerves and blood vessels, resulting in numbness or pain in the testicles.

Restricted blood flow:

When continuously sitting for an extended period, the blood circulation in the lower body becomes sluggish. Restricted blood flow can cause swelling, discomfort, or aching pain in the testicles. This exactly feels like the numbness in your legs after sitting for an extended period.

Nerve compression:

Sitting for a long time without taking breaks can compress the pudendal nerve, which runs through the pelvic region. This nerve is responsible for controlling the sensation in the genitals, and prolonged compression will result in pain, tingling, or discomfort in the testicles.

Overheating of the testicles:

Typically testicles will function better at a slightly lower temperature than the rest of the body. Sitting for an extended period, notably with tight dresses, will increase the scrotal temperature, which causes discomfort and also affects sperm health over time.

Impact on the prostate gland:

Extended periods of sitting will add more pressure on your prostate gland, resulting in irritation or inflammation. An inflamed prostate causes referred pain in the testicles.

How to diagnose testicle pain?

Doctors will diagnose the cause of this testicle pain by following several techniques like:

Medical history and physical examination:

Whenever you reach the hospital with a complaint of left testicle pain due to prolonged sitting, firstly doctors will check your medical history and will do a physical examination. Doctors will ask about your signs, and activities, and also about the recent injuries or infections that could trigger the pain. Further, healthcare providers will check your scrotum, testicles, and surrounding areas for any abnormalities, inflammation, or tenderness.

The common diagnostic tests and procedures include:

At times, healthcare providers will suggest a few more tests to exactly identify the cause of your testicle pain. Those tests include:

Ultrasound: During this non-invasive imaging technique sound waves will be used to develop an image of the testicles, which also offers precise details about their structure and blood flow.

Urinalysis: Individual urine samples will be collected to detect the symptoms of infection or other urinary tract problems that actually cause the pain.

Blood tests: Typically, blood tests will assist in evaluating hormone levels or detect the signs of infection or swelling.

Are there any treatments available for testicle pain associated with prolonged sitting?

In case you feel like your symptoms are getting worse even after following the home remedies, medical help is crucial. These interventions include:

Medications: Initially, doctors will prescribe pain relievers and other medicines based on the underlying cause of your pain.
Surgery: If you have testicular torsion or other surgical conditions, surgery becomes the mandatory option to reduce your pain.

Always keep in mind that, to find the actual cause of your pain and get the appropriate treatment you need to reach out to the healthcare provider.

Home remedies and lifestyle modifications:

In case you have mild testicle pain and it is not triggered by a severe medical condition, you can try the following home remedies and lifestyle changes:

Take frequent breaks and avoid prolonged sitting
Try to sit in a proper posture
Always prefer loose-fitting underwear and clothing
Apply a cold compress on the painful area

When to consult a doctor?

Simply, occasional pain due to prolonged sitting is quite normal, only the severe and persistent pain should not be overlooked. Consider reaching out to the best urologist in Coimbatore, when experiencing:

Sudden, severe testicular pain
Swelling, redness, or lumps in the testicles
Pain along with fever, nausea, or vomiting
Burning sensation when urinating
Pain that remains the same even after making lifestyle changes

Healthcare providers will conduct a physical examination, ultrasound, or blood tests to identify and treat the cause of your pain.

Final thoughts:

In conclusion, we can say that yes, sitting for an extended period of time can cause testicular pain due to pressure, nerve compression, restricted blood flow, and increased temperature. As mentioned above, occasional discomfort is harmless, but only those frequent and severe pain should not be ignored. Taking breaks, maintaining a good position when sitting, wearing loose dresses, and staying active can assist in alleviating sitting-related testicle pain. Simply, in case the pain persists or worsens, consider reaching out to a doctor to identify the underlying cause. So try to prioritize proper sitting habits, just understand that your overall health can go a long way in keeping your testicles pain-free.