Is what is happening to a person—the dominance of lust over him, his inability to continue working, his practice of masturbation, and the atrophy of one of his testicles—a punishment, a trial, or an affliction?

Calamity (balā’) and trial (ibtila’) both mean an examination or test. They may also signify punishment. What the questioner does—harassing women and masturbating—is a trial and test, and it may be a punishment for previous sins. He must repent from harassing women because it is an act of disobedience and aggression, and repent from the unlawful masturbation, along with the advice to strive for marriage, preserve his chastity, and avoid intermingling with women.