Suspensors

[Durand]

Recently, I have had a little discomfort in the testicles region when I am playing. A friend told me that I have to use some kind of suspensor to minimize the tension in the tissue around the scrotum.
Anyone has had this problem?? :oops:

[saxophil]

:o
Durand, I am a medically trained woman, so I can answer to your problem not from personal experience.
Of course I don't know your age, weight or physical condition which can be important in your particular case.
While saxplaying there is some pressure built up beneith the mediastinum that is as a matter of fact all what saxplaying is about, to slowly let release this mediastinum while exhaling by giving strength is this release process with your surrounding abdominal muscles.
Pain in the testicles can of course have multiple causes, but you say it only occurs during saxplaying, so let's stick to this. ( no torsio testis, no epidydimitis, ....)
It occurs to me you might suffer of a "varicocoele" which is in normal words nothing but a sample vein fragility in this region, like the vein problems one can have on the legs especially women.
Wearing a suspensor can relief this pain but doesn't take the cause away, here in belgium and I suppose in the US for sure, an urologist is trained in detecting this varicocoele thing, and in healing it of course, simple catheterisation with a little balloon to tighten up this vein so to speak, you can get it done during lunch hour under simple local anesthesia.
I did on purpose not mention the part ( left or right ) of the testicles that is in most cases involved ( simple anatomy knowledge ) so where does it hurt most? Left or right or all the same?
Did you know that varicocoele is the most common cause of male infertility in the world? That is why children here are checked for it at age 14 approx. during medical school check-up.
Let me explain: spermcells do not like body temp of 37°C thats why the scrotum is outside your body, otherwhise you would not produce quality spermatozoa, even not at all. In the varicocoele problem this vein which is larger than it should be normally kind of raises the scrotum temp by some 1/10 degrees and so the testicles become dysfunctional.
OK?
Always willing to answer your questions, but I strongly suggest you to go to a doctor, he can rule out this diagnosis at once or confirm it.
:!: v.

[Durand]

:cry:
Thankx so much Veronique , your reply has been so explicit!
I am going to go to Doctor next week, monday.
I can't stop playing sax, but the pain is increasing and I better check this properly not just using a suspensor.
Thank you so much

[saxophil]

My pleasure, like to help where I can, hope it was not too explicit for this forum, I am used to this situations so maybe got carried away in the scientifics, hey let me know what u'r doctor said.
x v. :D

[saxophil]

Ooops, forgot to say u may feel free to send me an answer at my hotmail, maybe you do not want your specific medical situation on this forum, we women would not mind but I have the feeling men are never too keen to that kind of stuff ( am I sounding sexist now??? )
The adress is clicking on the button send email on this marvellous new forum layout.
x v.