You see it in movies all the time. Some guy gets hit right in the privates. Yow!
If you're a boy, you probably already know your penis and scrotum are sensitive. Why?
And more important, what do you do if you're having pain or another problem "down
there"?
Let's start with some definitions.
You might have grown up calling it something else, but penis (say:
PEE-niss) is the official word for this part of a boy's body. The scrotum
(say: SKRO-tum) is the sac that hangs below and holds two small organs called testicles
(say: TESS-tih-kulz).
The bones of your ribcage protect your heart and lungs. Muscles protect other internal
organs, like your liver and kidneys. But unless you count your underwear, there's
no protection for a boy's penis or scrotum. This area also has a lot of nerve endings
— which make it extra-sensitive — so if a soccer ball accidentally whams
into a boy in that spot, it really hurts.
Injuries
Unfortunately, there are lots of ways for a boy to hurt his penis or scrotum. It
can happen while he's riding his bike
or playing sports.
It can happen if someone bumps or kicks a boy there. Some sports require boys to wear
athletic cups to protect that part of the body, but most of the time boys don't wear
this kind of protection.
The good news is that these injuries are not usually serious, though a boy will
usually feel pain and even could be nauseated
for a while. The testicles are loosely attached to the body and are made of a spongy
material, so they're able to absorb most collisions without permanent damage. Minor
injuries don't usually cause long-term problems. But it's a good idea to tell a parent
if you get this kind of injury, just in case.
If it's a minor injury, the pain should slowly go away in less than an hour. Meanwhile,
your mom or dad could give you some ice to apply and some pain
relievers to take. You also could lie down and take it easy for a while.
Sometimes, the injury might be more serious. Make sure you tell a parent so you
can see a doctor if:
- the pain is really bad
- the pain doesn't go away in an hour
- the scrotum is bruised, swollen (puffy), or punctured (has a hole in it)
- if the nausea and vomiting
continue
- if you get a fever
These are signs of a more serious injury, so seeing a doctor is a must.