Exercise can help us reap many benefits. For example, we have better energy levels, we can increase our muscle strength, and it can contribute toward maintaining a healthy weight. One way that some choose to reap these benefits is by doing high-intensity or high-impact workouts. However, a word of caution is needed. While carrying out this type of exercise, it’s important to protect your package.
Some high-intensity and high-impact exercises can bring on pain in your groin area. You may experience other symptoms, including an increased urgency or frequency to urinate or even difficulties urinating. You could also experience pain during intercourse or constipation. In addition, you may experience some discomfort or pain in the abdominal muscles.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FEEL PAIN IN MY TESTICLES DURING OR AFTER EXERCISE?
If you experience testicle pain after running or performing any other form of exercise, then it’s essential that you first rule out any serious causes of the pain. Check to see if they have any lumps or bumps that could indicate a cyst or growth.
If there are no lumps, but they feel tender, then it could be possible that you have an infection such as epididymitis. If they feel squidgy like a bag of worms, then you may have a varicocele, which is a varicose vein of the scrotum. During exercise, these can swell and cause discomfort. The best thing to do if you notice pain or discomfort is to make an appointment with your GP to get it checked out.
If you have ruled out any serious causes, then it is most likely a musculoskeletal cause, such as adductor muscle sprain, strain, pelvic floor muscle injury, or spasm. Or it could be a problem related to your posture or body mechanics that is putting your body in positions that put undue strain on your body leading to injury.
HOW CAN I REDUCE THE PAIN?
If you have already visited your GP to rule out any serious causes, then there may be a strain or sprain, or pelvic floor spasm. Make an appointment with Maiden Lane Medical Physical Therapy to help you to restore your pelvic floor muscles.
Wearing breathable cotton underwear that gives good support can help to reduce irritation from sweat and reduce excessive movement.
If you have tight adductor muscles or your pelvic floor is the cause, then the following stretches can help:
Butterfly Stretch
Sit on the floor with the base of your feet touching. Relax your thighs. You can increase the pressure of this stretch by exerting a gentle downward force on your thighs.
Happy Baby
This is a simple pose that can be used to stretch hip flexors and adductor muscles.
On your back, bend your knees, lifting your legs off the ground in a position wider than your torso.
Gently hold onto your feet and bring your knees towards your armpits. To deepen the stretch, you can hold onto your toes and flex your ankles.
Frog Stretch
To do this stretch, start in a tabletop position on your hands and knees. Ensure that your hands are directly below your shoulders and your knees are below your hips. Breathe in 3 to 5 deep breaths.
Engage your core muscles, and as you exhale, move your right knee out towards the side. Be careful that you do not force yourself into an uncomfortable position.
Keep opening up your hips and turn your feet toward the side. Slowly bring your forearms down, lay your palms flat on the floor, and press together. Finally, exhale and press your hips backward until you feel a deep stretch.
Again you should not feel uncomfortable. Hold the position and breathe deeply 5 to 10 times for 30-60 seconds.
Piriformis Stretch
To perform this stretch, it’s essential to keep your back straight. First, take a hand towel and roll it up into a cylindrical shape. Sit on a firm surface, placing your weight on the bones at the lowest point of your posterior. Take the towel and place it behind you, resting under your gluteal muscles.
Then while contracting your abdominals and relaxing your upper body at the same time, arch your back by pushing your butt back and slightly pushing your chest forward. From this posture, with your feet flat on the floor, lift your right leg and place the ankle on your left knee. Hold for 20 seconds and then repeat. Again this stretch should not hurt.
Schedule an Appointment with Maiden Lane Medical Today!
At Maiden Lane Medical Physical Therapy, our specialist team will be able to help with any musculoskeletal causes of your pain and discomfort. Our specialist team has experts in different fields of physical therapy, and together we provide the type of treatment you need.
Our Pelvic Floor physical therapists work with you for pelvic pain and urinary/constipation symptoms.
You are assessed for proper mechanics and posture.
We help to improve your movement patterns to eliminate the cause of pain and/or injury.
Find out how our doctors can help you!
FAQ
Can exercise cause testicular pain?
Problems with your lower back, hip joint, pubic bone, the adductor muscles on the inside and outside of your thighs, and hernias, both inguinal hernias or ‘sports hernias,’ can be felt in the testes. If you have any of these problems, you may experience a dull ache. If you have a trapped nerve in the back or groin area, it may cause dull or sharp pain or twinges in your testicles.
Can running cause testicular pain?
Some runners may feel testicular pain when running caused by a varicocele. This is a type of varicose vein inside your scrotum. Varicoceles are genetic. Muscle clenching during running can cause blood flow to back up, and the vein can enlarge, causing pain.
What are some conditions that cause pain in the testicles?
Testicular pain can be caused by various conditions, including testicular torsion (twisting of the testicle), epididymitis (inflammation of the epididymis), orchitis (inflammation of the testicle), inguinal hernia, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, testicular cancer, and trauma.
When should I go to the doctor for testicular pain?
If you experience severe pain or sudden pain in your testicles, then it is advised that you seek emergency medical care. Also, if you have experienced scrotum trauma and still have pain or swelling after an hour, you should seek medical help.
Can testicle pain go away on its own?
Depending on the cause of the pain, you will need some type of treatment or therapy. Once the cause has received medical attention, the pain may improve within 1 to 3 days. In some cases, it may take up to 4 weeks. You can relieve pain by limiting activity until the pain decreases. In some situations, a cold pack can also be applied to the affected area to reduce swelling.
How can I prevent testicular pain while exercising?
Wear supportive underwear or athletic cups that provide proper protection and reduce movement. Make sure your clothing is well-fitted and not too tight. Warm up adequately before exercising to increase blood flow and flexibility. Avoid exercises or movements that put excessive strain on the groin area.
Medically Reviewed By
Exercise can help us reap many benefits. For example, we have better energy levels, we can increase our muscle strength, and it can contribute toward maintaining a healthy weight. One way that some choose to reap these benefits is by doing high-intensity or high-impact workouts. However, a word of caution is needed. While carrying out this type of exercise, it’s important to protect your package.
Some high-intensity and high-impact exercises can bring on pain in your groin area. You may experience other symptoms, including an increased urgency or frequency to urinate or even difficulties urinating. You could also experience pain during intercourse or constipation. In addition, you may experience some discomfort or pain in the abdominal muscles.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FEEL PAIN IN MY TESTICLES DURING OR AFTER EXERCISE?
If you experience testicle pain after running or performing any other form of exercise, then it’s essential that you first rule out any serious causes of the pain. Check to see if they have any lumps or bumps that could indicate a cyst or growth.
If there are no lumps, but they feel tender, then it could be possible that you have an infection such as epididymitis. If they feel squidgy like a bag of worms, then you may have a varicocele, which is a varicose vein of the scrotum. During exercise, these can swell and cause discomfort. The best thing to do if you notice pain or discomfort is to make an appointment with your GP to get it checked out.
If you have ruled out any serious causes, then it is most likely a musculoskeletal cause, such as adductor muscle sprain, strain, pelvic floor muscle injury, or spasm. Or it could be a problem related to your posture or body mechanics that is putting your body in positions that put undue strain on your body leading to injury.
HOW CAN I REDUCE THE PAIN?
If you have already visited your GP to rule out any serious causes, then there may be a strain or sprain, or pelvic floor spasm. Make an appointment with Maiden Lane Medical Physical Therapy to help you to restore your pelvic floor muscles.
Wearing breathable cotton underwear that gives good support can help to reduce irritation from sweat and reduce excessive movement.
If you have tight adductor muscles or your pelvic floor is the cause, then the following stretches can help:
Butterfly Stretch
Sit on the floor with the base of your feet touching. Relax your thighs. You can increase the pressure of this stretch by exerting a gentle downward force on your thighs.
Happy Baby
This is a simple pose that can be used to stretch hip flexors and adductor muscles.
On your back, bend your knees, lifting your legs off the ground in a position wider than your torso.
Gently hold onto your feet and bring your knees towards your armpits. To deepen the stretch, you can hold onto your toes and flex your ankles.
Frog Stretch
To do this stretch, start in a tabletop position on your hands and knees. Ensure that your hands are directly below your shoulders and your knees are below your hips. Breathe in 3 to 5 deep breaths.
Engage your core muscles, and as you exhale, move your right knee out towards the side. Be careful that you do not force yourself into an uncomfortable position.
Keep opening up your hips and turn your feet toward the side. Slowly bring your forearms down, lay your palms flat on the floor, and press together. Finally, exhale and press your hips backward until you feel a deep stretch.
Again you should not feel uncomfortable. Hold the position and breathe deeply 5 to 10 times for 30-60 seconds.
Piriformis Stretch
To perform this stretch, it’s essential to keep your back straight. First, take a hand towel and roll it up into a cylindrical shape. Sit on a firm surface, placing your weight on the bones at the lowest point of your posterior. Take the towel and place it behind you, resting under your gluteal muscles.
Then while contracting your abdominals and relaxing your upper body at the same time, arch your back by pushing your butt back and slightly pushing your chest forward. From this posture, with your feet flat on the floor, lift your right leg and place the ankle on your left knee. Hold for 20 seconds and then repeat. Again this stretch should not hurt.
Schedule an Appointment with Maiden Lane Medical Today!
At Maiden Lane Medical Physical Therapy, our specialist team will be able to help with any musculoskeletal causes of your pain and discomfort. Our specialist team has experts in different fields of physical therapy, and together we provide the type of treatment you need.
Our Pelvic Floor physical therapists work with you for pelvic pain and urinary/constipation symptoms.
You are assessed for proper mechanics and posture.
We help to improve your movement patterns to eliminate the cause of pain and/or injury.
Find out how our doctors can help you!
FAQ
Can exercise cause testicular pain?
Problems with your lower back, hip joint, pubic bone, the adductor muscles on the inside and outside of your thighs, and hernias, both inguinal hernias or ‘sports hernias,’ can be felt in the testes. If you have any of these problems, you may experience a dull ache. If you have a trapped nerve in the back or groin area, it may cause dull or sharp pain or twinges in your testicles.
Can running cause testicular pain?
Some runners may feel testicular pain when running caused by a varicocele. This is a type of varicose vein inside your scrotum. Varicoceles are genetic. Muscle clenching during running can cause blood flow to back up, and the vein can enlarge, causing pain.
What are some conditions that cause pain in the testicles?
Testicular pain can be caused by various conditions, including testicular torsion (twisting of the testicle), epididymitis (inflammation of the epididymis), orchitis (inflammation of the testicle), inguinal hernia, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, testicular cancer, and trauma.
When should I go to the doctor for testicular pain?
If you experience severe pain or sudden pain in your testicles, then it is advised that you seek emergency medical care. Also, if you have experienced scrotum trauma and still have pain or swelling after an hour, you should seek medical help.
Can testicle pain go away on its own?
Depending on the cause of the pain, you will need some type of treatment or therapy. Once the cause has received medical attention, the pain may improve within 1 to 3 days. In some cases, it may take up to 4 weeks. You can relieve pain by limiting activity until the pain decreases. In some situations, a cold pack can also be applied to the affected area to reduce swelling.
How can I prevent testicular pain while exercising?
Wear supportive underwear or athletic cups that provide proper protection and reduce movement. Make sure your clothing is well-fitted and not too tight. Warm up adequately before exercising to increase blood flow and flexibility. Avoid exercises or movements that put excessive strain on the groin area.