Maybe you noticed a swollen scrotum when you were having sex or washing up in the shower. It’s not necessarily something to get anxious about. There are quite a few causes of swollen scrotum and most are nothing to worry about. In fact, sometimes the problem will just go away on its own. Here are five things that could be causing your scrotum to swell
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Injury
Is your scrotum tender and painful to the touch? Can you remember being hit in the groin or walking into something? A minor injury should heal on its own, but if your scrotum remains swollen for more than a day or two, make an appointment with your doctor.
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Varicoceles
This swollen collection of veins develops during puberty and may cause one or your testicles to grow at a slower rate. Although most varicoceles don’t cause symptoms, some men report pain or swelling. If you suspect varicoceles, talk to your doctor because a varicocele can make reproduction difficult.
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Cysts
After an infection or injury, men can develop a cyst in the epididymis—the tube that runs between the testicles and the vas deferens. Sometimes referred to as spermatoceles, epididymal cysts can range from pea-sized to large enough to put pressure on your scrotum.
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Idiopathic swelling
This is a fancy term of unidentifiable swelling. Although it’s more common in children, men of any age can develop a swollen scrotum. If you’re not experiencing any pain, it’s likely that the swelling will subside in 3 to 6 days on its own.
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Tumors
The first thing to consider is that tumors in the scrotum are rare. Although testicular cancer is possible, it’s not a common type of cancer. Even if you do have a tumor, most testicular cancers can be cured, even if they’re diagnosed in the later stages.
