Dr Samuel Ola, a consultant endocrinologist at the College of Medicine, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has called on men to pay attention to any pain in the scrotum.
Ola, the Head of Department of Endocrinology at the hospital, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Ibadan.
He described the pains as a major symptom of testicular cancer prevalent in African men, especially those between 35 and 60 years.
“Testicular pain or discomfort is the pain felt in one or both testicles.
“The pain may originate from the testicle itself or may be the result of other conditions affecting the scrotum, groin, or abdomen,” he said.
The consultant, however, added that the causes and symptoms of the pains could be difficult to differentiate.
He advised that medical evaluation of the pains should be sought immediately by a trained professional.
Ola said one of the more severe conditions that could cause pain is testicular torsion where the testicle is twisted inside the scrotum, preventing blood from flowing into it.
He also said a more common cause of pain is epididymitis, an infection of the epididymis gland which could be treated with antibiotics.
According to him, testicular cancer is the most severe cause of testicular pain and manifests as a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.
“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 said.
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.
Ola, who described the pains as “ silent and sudden killers’’ in African men, warned against considering them as ordinary.
He listed some symptoms of the diseases to include nausea and vomiting, scrotal tenderness, scrotal swellings and redness, abdominal pain as well as fever.
The consultant recommended prompt medical examination, saying this would help detect any complication early. (NAN)
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