Urinary tract infection
One of the most common possible causes for testicular pain is urinary tract infection (UTI). It can occur when bacteria build up within your bladder, kidneys, ureters and urethra. One of its symptoms includes lower back pain, which can be an indicator of the severity of the UTI. Natural treatments include keeping yourself hydrated in order to flush out the bacteria from your system and drinking vitamin C and cranberry juice.
Kidney stones
Kidney stones are solid mineral deposits that form in the kidneys. Smaller kidney stones don't always cause symptoms and can pass naturally over time. However, larger stones can block the flow of urine from the kidneys and cause pain in the lower back, which may also extend to the groin area. Changing to a low-sodium diet, cutting back on animal protein and eating lemons can help you reduce your risk of developing kidney stones. These home remedies can also help the stones pass naturally after a few weeks.
Epididymitis
Epididymitis is a condition characterized by the swelling and inflammation of the epididymis, which is a curved duct at the back of the testicle responsible for storing and transporting sperm from the testicle to the vas deferens. This is often caused by trauma, UTI and viral and bacterial infections, including sexually transmitted infections. Epididymitis can cause, among other symptoms, lower back and groin pain, swelling of the scrotum and pain while urinating. To ease your discomfort, get some rest and lie down to elevate your scrotum. Apply a cold pack and wear some loose fitting pants. Avoid any strain to the area (such as sexual intercourse) until the infection disappears.
Lumbar spondylolisthesis
Lumbar spondylolisthesis (LS) is a condition wherein a vertebrae in the lower part of your spine, known as the lumbar region, is displaced. This can occur due to an injury, general wear and tear or strong, repetitive strain on the spine. LS can cause lower back pain, which can extend to the testicles and even the legs. Treatment can include applying heat or ice to reduce the pain, signing up for some physical therapy and manual or chiropractic manipulation by a trained health professional.
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction (PVD) is the inability to fully control your pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are found near your bowel and groin area, at the bottom of the pelvis. Tightening and relaxing these muscles will be difficult to do and it can cause a weakened ability to control urination. In more serious cases, PVD can cause pain in the testicles that can extend to your lower back. Yoga, stretching and pelvic floor exercises can help your muscles relax and reduce the pain. Taking a warm bath and avoiding straining your pelvic floor muscles even further will also help.
Testicular cancer
In very rare cases, lower back and testicle pain can be a sign that you have testicular cancer. The most common symptom would be swelling or a lump on the testicle, but sometimes it can cause pain in the testicle that extends up to the lower back, meaning that the cancer has spread. The best solution for testicular cancer would be to detect it early, before pain even develops, which means regularly performing tests to check if your testicles have a lump, their size has changed or if there's any pain or discomfort in that region. (Related: Testicular cancer survivors report being less tired if they regularly engage in high-intensity interval exercise.)
Mild back pain is a normal occurrence. When lower back pain manifests with testicular pain, it usually means there's an underlying condition that warrants your immediate attention. If you are experiencing this, seek the immediate advice of your trusted natural health practitioner.
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