Bumps on Scrotum – should you be worried?

Almost every man would have noticed some kind of bump in the pubic region or on the scrotum by the time they reach their 40s. Under normal circumstances, they are not bothered much about them and the bumps go away on their own. But if they had unprotected sex few days prior to noticing the bumps, their heart pounds at the fastest rate and they immediately start googling, reading unnecessary stuff and freak out.

From simple and common pimple or cyst to untreatable herpes, there can be several reasons why bumps appear on the scrotum. Let’s find out the reason what can cause bumps on the scrotum.

Pimples

When the pores on the scrotum are blocked because of improper cleaning/maintenance or due to build up of dirt and oils due to sweating, pimples can form on the folds of the scrotum. They are just like the pimples that form on the face. They are circular in shape, sometimes reddish and sometimes colourless. Once they ripe, white pus can come out of them. This is totally normal and nothing to worry about. 

Just keep your genitals clean and dry as much as possible.

Sebaceous Cyst

Sebaceous glands are present under the skin and they open up through the hair follicle. If the gland is damaged due to scarring or surgery or for any other region, the oils get in the gland gets accumulated and the gland grows bigger in size. These are called Sebaceous cysts’.  Their size can range from a tiny one to a large grape fruit. One or two are ok to ignore but if their count and size is increasing by the day, you must see a good sexologist near you to get them treated.

Spermatocele

Epididymis is the place in the scrotum where the sperms grows and gets nurtured before getting ejaculated. When a cyst grows in the edididymis, it is called ‘spermatocele’. This is not harmful and not cancerous but one can feel a lump under the skin in the scrotum. When you find such a lump in the scrotum you need to visit your sexologist just to make sure that it is not any type of cancerous growth.

Varicocele

When any vein in the scrotum gets enlarged, the condition is called ‘Varicocele’. This kind of abnormality happens in the left side of the scrotum usually. They look like the varicose veins that occur on the legs. Varicocele in scrotum can affect fertility, so it is important that you see your doctor whenever you see any enlarged vein in your scrotum.

Genital Herpes

Genital Herpes, is a sexually transmitted infection. This is caused by virus and is not completely curable. Herpes causes bumps called ‘sores’ on the penis and on the scrotum or in the pubic region. These sores are filled with puss like material and can ooze out infected fluid when drained.   HPV – Human Papilloma Virus can cause ‘Genital Warts’ on the scrotum. This too is a sexually Transmitted Infection.

Testicular Mass on scrotum

Whenever there is a bulge or a lump on the scrotum, it is termed as ‘scrotal mass’ or ‘testicular mass’. Most of the time, these masses are benign and could have been caused due to injury or infection. You need to see your sexologist to make sure that they are not any cancerous tumours.

Orchitis

When virus or bacteria infects the scrotum of a man, it can cause swelling of scrotum. This condition is termed as ‘Orchitis’. This can cause pain when the person pees or ejaculates. Pain and tenderness of the scrotum are often seen symptoms of Orchitis.

Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer can occur in one or both the testicles. It is a tumour that grows in the place where sperms are made.  Before this spreads and affects your fertility, you must see a good sexologist.

Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis

This condition results in lumpy bumps on the skin of the scrotum. They are not generally cancerous. Their size can range from a small millimetre to few centimetres. See your doctor whenever you feel that there are some bumps on your scrotum.