What causes pain in one testicle?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Pain in one testicle can result from several causes, including infections (such as epididymitis or orchitis), physical injury, testicular torsion (twisting of the spermatic cord), inguinal hernia, kidney stones, or varicocele. Some causes, like torsion, are medical emergencies requiring immediate care, while others may resolve with treatment or time.

Because the causes vary widely in severity, identifying the likely source of your pain quickly is important. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be causing your discomfort and get personalized guidance on your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

There are many reasons one testicle might hurt. One common cause is an infection in the testicle or the nearby tube, like the epididymis. This is when germs make parts of the testicle red and swollen. Another possibility is a twist in the testicle, called torsion, which cuts off the blood flow and can cause serious pain. Sometimes, an injury to the testicle can cause pain or swelling. Other causes include hernias or nerve pain. Sometimes, the exact cause of testicular pain can be difficult to identify. Because of all these possibilities, you can check your symptoms with our free AI-powered tool to help you understand what might be causing your discomfort and when to seek medical care.

(References)

Polackwich AS, Arora HC, Li J, Levine L, Tojuola B, Parekattil S, Shoskes DA. Development of a clinically relevant symptom index to assess patients with chronic orchialgia/chronic scrotal content pain. Transl Androl Urol. 2018 May;7(Suppl 2):S163-S168
Calixte N, Brahmbhatt J, Parekattil S. Chronic Testicular and Groin Pain: Pathway to Relief. Curr Urol Rep. 2017 Sep 02;18(10):83.
Payne B, Brzezinski WA, Clark AV, Estrada CA, Kraemer RR. Lessons Learned from a Middle-Aged Man with Testicular Pain: Exercises in Clinical Reasoning. J Gen Intern Med. 2017 Mar;32(3):355-359. doi: 10.1007/s11606-016-3882-0. Epub 2016 Oct 24. PMID: 27778213; PMCID: PMC5330999.

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