Sperm Build-Up Causes Abdominal Pain in Men?

Abdominal pain can be caused by a lot of reasons, however, if men experience abdominal pain during or before ejaculation, then the causes need to be further investigated. It may trace back to: sperm cramps, urinary tract problem, scrotal pain, testicular torsion, varicocele vein, or simply sperm build-up. Ultimately any concerns in the pelvic floor might be the main cause behind this peculiar abdominal pain. But don’t worry, we will guide you on the symptoms to help you circle in on the real concern. Read on.   

What do we mean by sperm build-up?

Sperm buildup is nothing but sperm retention. It works in the same concept as a full bladder would. When ejaculation is not regular, sometimes sperm tends to build-up without any release in the epididymis. This can store the immature sperm for a few days until it achieves a proper release from the penile cavity. 

Just like a full bladder causes abdominal pain, a sperm build-up may cause pain and discomfort in the genital area. Although there is limited scientific evidence to support the claim, every person’s anatomy is not the same and management of sperm production and storage would be different in each case. More than sperm build-up, often sperm cramps have a direct correlation with pelvic floor stress and abdominal pain. 

How are Sperm Cramps linked to Abdominal Pain?

First things first: Sperm cramps are neither a disease nor a medical condition. Sperm cramps, in most cases, are a symptom of an underlying medical issue of the urinary tract or reproductive organs in men. Going to a doctor with sperm cramps is like going to a doctor complaining of gas—they will have to get to the root cause before giving you a diagnosis and a treatment. 

When sperm cramps find their way to the pelvic and lower abdominal areas, it is essential to identify the underlying concern before dismissing the cramps as abdominal pain. This leads us to the next question —

Which type of Sperm Cramps cause Abdominal Pain?

Here are some of the probable reasons due to which sperm cramps may lead to abdominal pain. Some of these might also be due to sperm build-up as well. Let us handle each cause individually. 

Epididymitis:

The tube behind the testicles is called epididymis. When this coiled (snake-like) tube gets swollen, it can cause pain, discomfort, and the feeling of cramping in testicles. It might affect the pelvic floor leading to abdominal pain. This may be due to STIs, UTIs or e coli infections.

If any of these symptoms match you must reach out to a urologist (specialising in the urinary tract and male reproductive system) or, in very few cases, an andrologist (a subspecialty of urology focusing on male reproductive health).

Ejaculation Cramps:

When ejaculation gets uncomfortable and moves past a dull, aching pain to a sharp, intense pain in testicles or lower abdomen or causes involuntary tightening of muscles, then it can mean one of these:

• Prostatitis or an enlarged prostate 
• Hypersensitive nerves in the genital area 
• Tension in the pelvic floor due to muscle tightening

Varicocele:

The male scrotum (the sac of skin that contains testicles) has many veins like the rest of the body. But varicocele happens when these veins are enlarged (swollen and bigger than usual), become twisted, and multiple veins cluster together. This might be due 

• Increased pressure in retaining sperm for longer periods
• Malfunction in the scrotal valves
• Congenitally weaker or less developed veins that can’t withstand pressure 

If your sperm cramps are being caused by varicocele, there is no way you can diagnose that on your own. You will need a doctor to evaluate you and get to the root cause before treatment

Prostatitis:

The prostate gland, located just below the bladder, sometimes swells and causes cramps that could be mistaken for sperm cramps. This is also called prostatitis. A swelling or enlargement of this gland can cause discomfort in the pelvic area, leading to pain. This can be traced back to the following: 

• Bacterial infection in the urinary tract or UTI
• Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) caused by inflammation.
• Nerve irritation around the scrotum. 

Testicular Torsion:

If your pain is linked to testicular torsion, you will feel an intense pain that you won’t be able to ignore at all. This is a serious condition where the spermatic cord (collection of vessels, nerves, and ducts that run to and from the testes) twists and cuts off the flow of blood to testicles. Testicular torsion needs immediate medical help. This can be due to 3 causes:

• When testicle is attached to the scrotum loosely at birth.
• Vigorous physical activity
• Direct trauma to the scrotum 

Waiting for your cramps to go away on their own is not advisable in the case of testicular torsion. The emergency room will most likely call a urologist to help you.

Blue Balls (Epididymal Hypertension):

This is commonly known as the blue balls condition. Blue Balls refers to an extended erection without any release/orgasm. This can be due to:

• Long arousal: Sexual excitement without orgasm
• Interrupted sexual activity: Ending sexual activity just before orgasm 
• External pressure: Tight clothing during arousal 
• Vascular response: Dilation and trapping of blood vessels in the genital area

Abdominal pain can be linked to multiple causes across the male anatomy, but when it is linked to the male reproductive system and sexual health, these things are often ignored or pushed under the rug due to the existing taboo around the topic.