Testicle Pain for Days? Here’s When It’s a Red Flag

The First 24 Hours: When Pain Starts Out of Nowhere

Andre, 27, was halfway through a weekend hike when the soreness kicked in, nothing dramatic, just a low, internal pull in his right testicle. He’d had sex two nights before, protected but rough. By the time he got home, the ache was constant enough to notice when he sat down. He iced it, took ibuprofen, and figured he’d wait until Monday. Sunday came, and the pain hadn’t improved.

This story’s common: a testicle hurts, but not enough to scream ER. The problem? You can’t always tell what’s urgent just by the intensity of pain. Sudden, sharp testicle pain can signal testicular torsion, a medical emergency where the spermatic cord twists and cuts off blood flow. This needs treatment within 6 hours to save the testicle. But torsion isn’t the only cause. A low-level ache could mean epididymitis, often triggered by chlamydia or gonorrhea, and the longer it goes untreated, the higher the risk of permanent damage or fertility issues.

The critical takeaway? Pain that doesn’t improve within 24 hours, even if mild, deserves attention. If it’s severe or came on instantly, don’t wait at all.

STD-Related Testicle Pain: The Silent Culprit

One of the most overlooked causes of testicular pain is untreated sexually transmitted infections. Many people don’t connect the dots because they don’t have other classic symptoms. No discharge. No burning pee. No visible sores. Just…testicle pain.

In reality, infections like chlamydia or gonorrhea often settle into the epididymis, a tightly coiled tube behind the testicle. When this happens, the condition is called epididymitis, and it can cause dull to sharp pain, swelling, and even fever. It can affect one testicle or both, but it’s almost always felt on just one side.

Here’s what’s especially tricky: STD-caused epididymitis might take days to show up after exposure. So you could have had sex a week ago, felt fine, and now suddenly experience pain with no obvious trigger. That makes testing essential, not just to confirm the cause, but to start treatment before the infection spreads or causes lasting damage.

Table 1: Common causes of testicle pain, how they feel, and when to seek help. If unsure, testing is your fastest route to clarity.

People are also reading: What Happens When Syphilis Goes Untreated: One Man’s Story

Delayed Pain After Sex or Ejaculation

There’s another group of readers that may not feel pain right away, it creeps in the morning after sex or even a day or two later. For some, it’s an ache after ejaculation. For others, the scrotum feels sore after sitting or lying in certain positions. While occasional mild discomfort might stem from overuse or position, lingering pain is different.

Victor, 34, had sex with a new partner, used a condom, and thought everything was fine. Two days later, he felt a sharp twinge in his left testicle. He dismissed it, but by the fourth day, it was a dull, nagging ache. No discharge, no fever, just discomfort. A home test revealed chlamydia.

STDs can lie low before flaring up. They can also aggravate underlying conditions, like varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum) or chronic inflammation. If testicle pain shows up after sex and doesn’t resolve within 48 hours, or worsens, testing for STDs becomes the smartest first move, even if you’ve tested recently. Reinfection is common, and symptoms can vary dramatically.

Home tests make it easier to rule out or confirm infections without a clinic visit. You can order a discreet combo test kit to check for the most common causes, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, without leaving home.

Check Your STD Status in Minutes

Test at Home with Remedium
6-in-1 STD Test Kit

Claim Your Kit Today

Save 60%

For Men & Women

Results in Minutes

No Lab Needed

Private & Discreet

Order Now $119.00 $294.00

For all 6 tests

When It’s Not an STD: Other Causes You Can’t Ignore

Not all testicle pain is caused by infection or sex. In fact, a surprising number of cases come from anatomical issues, vascular problems, or even referred pain from elsewhere in the body. This is where things get confusing, because the pain can feel the same, but the cause is completely different.

Take Alex, 22, a college soccer player who began noticing occasional soreness in his left testicle after long practice sessions. There were no STD risks, no sexual activity in months. But every time he ran drills or lifted weights, the ache returned. It turned out to be a varicocele, a swelling of the veins inside the scrotum, often described as feeling like a "bag of worms." It wasn’t dangerous, but it was definitely uncomfortable, and needed monitoring.

Then there’s referred pain, which means the issue isn't in the testicle at all. Kidney stones, lower back injuries, or even muscle strain in the groin can radiate pain downward. The brain isn’t great at distinguishing exactly where that pain is coming from, so your testicles might feel like the problem, even if they’re not.

In very rare cases, persistent or unexplained testicle pain could be a sign of something more serious, like a cyst, a hernia, or even testicular cancer. The pain here is usually mild and is more like discomfort or heaviness. It often comes with a lump or a change in size. It doesn't go away with movement, rest, or sex like pain from an infection does.

Table 2: Less common but important causes of testicle pain. When the usual suspects don’t fit, these should be considered.

What If the Pain Is On and Off?

For some people, the pain isn’t constant, it comes and goes. You might feel it one day, only to have it disappear the next. Or it might spike after sitting for a long time, then ease up when you lie down. This kind of pattern can be especially maddening because it’s hard to pin down. But it’s not in your head.

Jeremy, 30, described his discomfort as “a low ache that shows up randomly, sometimes after driving, sometimes during sex, and sometimes just while doing nothing.” He tested negative for STDs, had no lumps, but still felt like something was off. Eventually, a urologist diagnosed him with chronic epididymitis, a lingering inflammation that never fully resolved after a prior infection. Treatment helped, but the biggest shift was mental: knowing it wasn’t dangerous helped him stop catastrophizing.

On-and-off pain might signal nerve irritation, minor inflammation, or even a psychological loop where the anxiety of the pain feeds into the experience of it. That doesn’t mean it’s imagined, it means your nervous system is on high alert. What helps? Getting clarity. Ruling out STDs and serious conditions lets you approach the issue with less fear and more options.

If you’ve been swinging between “it’s probably nothing” and “what if it’s cancer,” you’re not alone. But staying in that limbo doesn’t help. Taking the step to test or see a provider can interrupt the spiral. You don’t have to guess. You can know.

How Long Is Too Long?

If you’ve had testicle pain for more than three days, and it’s not improving, or it’s getting worse, it’s officially time to stop waiting. That doesn’t always mean it’s something scary. But it does mean your body is asking for attention. Some infections can spread upward to the prostate. Inflammation can become chronic. Even a simple muscle strain can benefit from evaluation if it’s affecting your daily life.

The general rule from urologists? If the pain lasts longer than 48 hours, or is severe, new, or paired with other symptoms like fever, swelling, or urinary changes, you should get checked. If you’re sexually active and haven’t tested in the past 3–6 months, or had a new partner recently, STD testing is a safe first step.

You can visit our homepage to explore discreet test options or get a full panel sent to your door. It’s fast, confidential, and doesn’t require an in-person visit. Especially for those without easy access to clinics, this can be a lifeline.

Why Guys Delay Getting Help (And Why That Can Backfire)

There’s a reason so many people wait too long to get testicle pain checked. It’s not just inconvenience. It’s fear. Fear of what the diagnosis might be. Fear of being judged by a provider. Fear of acknowledging something that feels too vulnerable. And on top of that, a layer of shame that testicular pain even matters, especially when you don’t have visible symptoms.

We see you. And none of that fear makes you weak. The truth is, getting checked is a power move. It says you care enough about your body to find out what’s going on. It says you’re not going to let silent symptoms sneak up and cause long-term harm. And it means if something is wrong, you’ll be ahead of it, not behind.

Maurice, 38, ignored mild right testicle pain for nearly two weeks. By the time he finally sought help, the infection had spread to his prostate, and his treatment course was longer and more intense. “If I’d just dealt with it sooner,” he said, “I could’ve avoided the whole mess.”

The takeaway? You deserve peace of mind. And you don’t have to wait until the pain becomes unbearable to get it.

Should You Test at Home or Go to a Clinic?

The answer depends on your symptoms, timeline, and comfort level, but let’s break it down with real context, not just vague advice.

Say it’s been two days since the ache started. It’s not getting worse, but it’s still there. You don’t have discharge or fever, but you’ve had unprotected sex in the last month. You’re probably wondering: will an at-home test even work right now?

Here’s the nuance: most STD infections that cause testicle pain, like chlamydia or gonorrhea, can be detected with high accuracy using a urine sample or urethral swab. These tests work best around 7–14 days after exposure, but can sometimes detect infections earlier if symptoms have already begun. That means if you’re symptomatic now, testing today is valid. If it comes back negative but pain continues, retesting in a few days can confirm.

At-home rapid tests give you privacy and speed. You can collect a sample without anyone watching, and often get results in minutes. For deeper confirmation, mail-in lab kits (which you also collect at home) offer even higher sensitivity, especially for mixed infections or longer-lasting symptoms.

Clinic visits are ideal when you have severe symptoms, swelling, fever, or need a physical exam to rule out things like torsion or hernias. If cost, transportation, or stigma is a barrier, start with home testing. It’s not second-tier, it’s real medicine, designed for people who need answers discreetly.

Table 3: Comparing testing paths for testicle pain. No choice is “best”, just the one that fits your situation.

How to Talk About It (Even If You're Embarrassed)

Let’s be real, testicle pain is hard to talk about. Even to partners, even to doctors. But untreated pain that stems from STDs or infections doesn’t just affect you. It can put others at risk, too. And that’s where communication becomes more than a kindness, it becomes care.

If you think your testicle pain might be linked to a recent sexual encounter, you don’t have to launch into a full-blown speech. One sentence can do the job: “I’m getting checked for something because I’ve had some pain, I think it’s best you do, too.” No blame, no shame. Just honesty.

For healthcare providers, you can say exactly what you’d Google: “My testicle has been hurting for two days, and I’m worried it might be an infection or STD.” You’ll be surprised how quickly they cut through the awkwardness and get to helping.

And if you’re not ready to talk? Start by testing privately. That way, when you do share, you have facts, not fears.

People are also reading: Tested Negative for Chlamydia? You Might Still Have It in Your Throat

When Should You Retest?

Retesting is important for two main reasons: confirmation and prevention. If you test very early after exposure (within a few days), some infections might not show up yet. That’s not a flaw in the test, it’s biology. STDs need time to replicate to detectable levels.

If your initial test is negative but symptoms persist, or if you have new exposure, you should retest within 7 to 14 days for accuracy. This is especially true for infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea, where early treatment can stop symptoms fast but doesn’t always show up on a first test.

If you’ve tested positive and finished treatment, most doctors recommend a follow-up test about 3 weeks after finishing antibiotics. This helps ensure the infection is cleared and hasn’t come back. Reinfection happens more often than you’d think, especially in relationships where both partners aren’t treated.

Retesting doesn’t mean you failed. It means you’re serious about your health. It means you’re taking the smart route, no shame, just protection.

And if you’re ready to move forward? You can order a test kit today and get peace of mind from home. No appointments, no awkward waiting rooms, just answers.

Check Your STD Status in Minutes

Test at Home with Remedium
7-in-1 STD Test Kit

Claim Your Kit Today

Save 62%

For Men & Women

Results in Minutes

No Lab Needed

Private & Discreet

Order Now $129.00 $343.00

For all 7 tests

Why Testicle Pain Needs More Attention, Not Less

It’s too easy to minimize this kind of pain. It’s “probably nothing.” It’s “just a strain.” It’s “not worth going to the doctor for.” But here’s the truth: ignoring testicular pain doesn’t make it go away. If anything, it increases the risk that something small becomes something serious.

That doesn’t mean you need to panic every time your testicle feels sore. But it does mean listening to your body, tracking what you feel, and taking action when pain lingers, worsens, or shows up without a clear reason. Especially when it lasts longer than 48 hours. Especially when there’s swelling, fever, or sexual risk involved.

You don’t have to guess. You can know. You can test, treat, and move on, without shame, without delay, and without anyone else dictating what’s “serious enough.”

FAQs

1. Can testicle pain really be caused by an STD?

Yes, and it happens more than people realize. Infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea can travel down into the epididymis, the coiled tube that lives on the back of your testicle, and cause inflammation that hurts like hell or just aches subtly. Even if you don’t have discharge or burning when you pee, that doesn’t rule it out. Some people feel it as a dull pressure; others get a sharp jab when sitting. If you’ve had any kind of recent sexual activity, testing is the smartest first move.

2. How do I know if the pain is serious?

Ask yourself this: is it getting worse, staying the same, or easing up? Pain that suddenly appears out of nowhere and feels intense, especially if you're nauseous or one testicle is sitting higher than the other, get to the ER. That could be testicular torsion, which is an emergency. But if it’s more of a slow-building ache that’s lasted more than a day or two? That’s when you book an appointment or test at home. Either way, don't just “wait it out” for a week hoping it disappears. Your future self will thank you.

3. Could it be cancer?

It’s rare, but let’s not pretend it doesn’t cross your mind. Testicular cancer usually shows up as a painless lump or swelling, not as pain. But some guys do report a dull heaviness or vague discomfort. If you feel a firm spot or notice that one testicle has changed shape, size, or texture, don’t panic, but do get it checked. It’s not overreacting. It’s being responsible with your body.

4. I don’t have any other symptoms. Should I still test?

Yes. Lack of symptoms doesn’t mean lack of infection. STDs are sneaky like that. You might not see or feel anything except this unexplained ache. In fact, lots of people carry chlamydia or gonorrhea without knowing, until the pain shows up in the testicle. So don’t wait for burning, discharge, or fever to give you “permission” to test. If your gut says something’s off, trust it.

5. What if it hurts on and off? Is that still a red flag?

Intermittent pain is annoying, and yes, it still counts. You might go all day without a twinge, then get hit with a low throb when you sit down or after sex. That kind of start-stop pattern could mean inflammation that hasn’t fully cleared, or even something like a varicocele. It doesn’t have to be a medical emergency to be worth checking out. Repeat pain is your body whispering. Don’t wait until it starts shouting.

6. Is it normal to feel embarrassed talking about this?

Completely. But here’s the secret: doctors hear this stuff every single day. You won’t shock them. You won’t gross them out. You’ll just get help. And if talking face-to-face feels impossible right now? Start with a home test. It’s private, fast, and gives you something solid to act on instead of just spiraling through Google.

7. How soon should I test after symptoms start?

If you're already feeling pain, it's a good time to test. That means the infection has likely had time to grow to detectable levels. The sweet spot for accuracy is usually 7–14 days after exposure, but symptoms are your green light. If you test and it’s negative but you’re still hurting? Retest in a few days. You’re not overdoing it. You’re being smart.

8. Can masturbation cause testicle pain?

Sure, especially if things got a little intense or frequent. The epididymis can get inflamed from overuse, just like any other body part. But if the pain sticks around longer than 24 hours, or feels different than your usual post-orgasm soreness, it's worth a closer look. Especially if there’s pressure, swelling, or it feels more internal than surface-level.

9. What’s the deal with testicle pain after sitting too long?

Believe it or not, it’s common. Sitting, especially on a hard chair, long car rides, or bad posture, can compress the scrotal area and trigger aches. It’s usually positional or nerve-related. But here's the catch: if it keeps happening, or if it’s not the only symptom, you’ll want to rule out something deeper, like a varicocele or inflammation.

10. If I test positive, how fast can I treat it?

Fast. Most bacterial STDs that cause testicle pain, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, are treatable with antibiotics. Sometimes just one dose. What matters is catching it early, finishing your meds, and making sure partners are treated too. A positive result isn’t the end of the world. It’s actually the beginning of clarity, and relief.

You Deserve Answers, Not Assumptions

Testicle pain doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Whether it’s been bothering you for hours or days, you don’t need to sit in silence, hoping it will pass. From infection to strain to something more complex, there are clear, actionable ways to find out what’s going on and how to fix it. The hardest part isn’t the test, it’s deciding to take the first step.

Don’t wait and wonder, get the clarity you deserve. This combo test kit for home use quickly and privately checks for the most common STDs.

Sources

1. Healthline – Understanding Testicle Pain

2. Testicle Pain Causes (Mayo Clinic)

3. Epididymitis – Symptoms and Causes (Mayo Clinic)

4. Epididymitis – STI Treatment Guidelines (CDC)

5. Testicular Pain: Causes, Sides, Diagnosis & Treatment (Cleveland Clinic)

6. Testicular Torsion – Symptoms & Causes (Mayo Clinic)

7. Testicular Torsion – StatPearls (NIH NCBI Bookshelf)

8. Epididymitis – Clinical Infectious Diseases (Oxford Academic)

9. Chlamydial Infections – STI Treatment Guidelines (CDC)

About the Author

Dr. F. David, MD is a board-certified infectious disease specialist focused on STI prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. He blends clinical precision with a no-nonsense, sex-positive approach and is committed to expanding access for readers in both urban and off-grid settings.

Reviewed by: J. Morales, PA-C | Last medically reviewed: December 2025

This article is just for information and doesn't take the place of medical advice.