Spermatic colic is pain affecting the spermatic cord, close to the testicles in men. Symptoms, duration, treatments with Professor Stéphane Droupy, urologist andrologist.
What is spermatic colic?
Spermatic colic is the name given to the pain felt in men along the path of the spermatic cord, at the level of the testicles. “It’s quite rare” reassures Professor Stéphane Droupy, urologist andrologist. This usually happens when semen is not evacuated. Of the spasms then take place at the level of the epididymis, a sort of funnel located on the upper edge of the testicle, where
sperm while waiting for them to reach maturity. “Men then feel pain along the path of the spermatic cord, that is to say at the level of the testicles and in the groin. This pain is accompanied by a feeling of pelvic heaviness and can
be unilateral or bilateral“, he explains.
What are the symptoms ?
Pain can occur:
► When tensioning the seminal vesicles in a man who would have intercourse without ejaculation;
► During a dysorgasmia – at the time of orgasm or ejaculation, the man feels pain -, inflammation of the accessory sexual glands or even chronic prostate;
► A malformation – rare – such as the presence of a prostatic mediant cyst (this can occur in the case of infertility) which would obstruct the ejaculatory ducts.
These pain may be felt on palpation. The pain may extend to the lower abdomen and upper legs. It usually subsides naturally.
Duration: how long does spermatic colic last?
“The duration of spermatic colic is variable. For example, for a man who will not ejaculate, colic can last several hours.”
How long should you abstain from sex?
“Sexual abstinence can cause some pressure but It is difficult to know after how long of abstinence spermatic colic can occur. It depends a lot on the rhythm of sexual intercourse“, explains Professor Droupy. On the other hand, if the colic is the result of inflammation, the urologist advises the patient not to practice sexual abstinence and, on the contrary, to have regular ejaculations during treatment in order to renew the sperm to avoid germ retention.
What are the treatments to relieve it?
Treatment depends on the cause. If colic occurs because of infection or chronic inflammation, doctors try to identify the germ using sperm culture, a urine test, or even a collection after prostate massage. Of the painkillers, anti-inflammatories or antibiotics will be prescribed depending on the germ. In the case of a malformation, a spermogram makes it possible to identify the malformation. The treatment is then surgical : “If there is a cyst, we open the cyst to ensure that the pressure decreases in the ejaculatory ducts. The technique works well but still carries a risk of recurrence: the cyst can reform. If there is an abnormality of the seminal vesicles, the vesicle is removed or the seminal junction is resected.“This last operation may also carry risks of recurrence.
What natural treatments for spermatic colic?
In all cases, the natural treatment consists of ejaculate in order to reduce tension and a reduction in symptoms.
Thanks to Professor Stéphane Droupy, Head of the urology-andrology department at Nîmes University Hospital, professor of urology at the University of Montpellier.