Testicular Injuries

Testicular injuries are relatively uncommon, but it’s important to know what to do if one happens and how to avoid injury in the first place.

Why Do They Happen?

Males who are active in sports or other physical activities have probably found out that the testicles are vulnerable and can be injured in a variety of ways.

The testicles hang in a sac outside the body called the scrotum (SKRO-tum). So they're not protected by bones and muscles like other parts of the reproductive system and other organs. Also, their location puts them at risk to be struck on the playing field or injured during heavy exercise and activity.

But because the testicles are loosely attached to the body and are made of a spongy material, they can absorb most hits without permanent damage. Testicles, while sensitive, can bounce back pretty quickly. Minor injuries rarely have long-term effects. Also, sexual function or sperm production isn't likely to be affected by a testicular injury.

Unfortunately, there are lots of ways for boys to hurt their testicles.

It can happen while bike riding or playing sports, or if someone bumps or kicks a person there. To help prevent injuries, some sports require males to wear special underwear with a shield, called an athletic cup. An athletic cup can protect the penis and scrotum during sports. But not everyone wears this kind of protection and sometimes injuries happen.

What Should I Do About an Injury?

A person will definitely feel pain if the testicles are struck or kicked, and they might feel nauseated for a short time. If it's a minor testicular injury, the pain should gradually ease in less than an hour and any other symptoms should go away.

To feel better, boys can take a pain reliever, lie down, gently support the testicles with supportive underwear, and apply wrapped ice packs to the area. It's a good idea to avoid strenuous activity for a while and take it easy for a few days.

But get your child to a doctor right away if he experiences these symptoms of a much more serious injury:

• pain that doesn't let up or extreme pain that lasts longer than one hour
• swelling or bruising of the scrotum or a puncture of the scrotum or testicle
• nausea and vomiting
• fever

Serious Testicular Injuries

Serious testicular injuries include testicular torsion and testicular rupture.

Testicular torsion is when the testicle twists around, cutting off its blood supply. It's rare, and when it does happen it's often for no clear reason. Occasionally torsion is due to a serious trauma to the testicles or heavy activity.

Testicular Torsion

Testicular torsion is most common between ages 12 to 18 and is a medical emergency. Go to the emergency room right away.

If doctors fix a torsion within 4–6 hours of when the pain starts, there's usually no lasting damage to the testicle. A torsion that isn't fixed quickly is likely to lead to loss of the testicle or permanently reduced sperm production. Doctors sometimes fix a torsion manually by untwisting the testicle. If that doesn't work, they do a simple surgery.

Testicular Rupture

Testicular rupture is a rare type of testicular trauma. It can happen if the testicle gets a forceful direct blow or is crushed against the pubic bone, causing blood to leak into the scrotum. Testicular rupture, like testicular torsion and other serious injuries to the testicles, causes extreme pain, swelling in the scrotum, nausea, and vomiting. Surgery is needed to fix the ruptured testicle.

What Do Doctors Do?

First, doctors need to know how long the male has been having pain and how severe it is. To rule out a hernia or other problem as the cause of the pain, the doctor will examine the abdomen and groin.

The doctor also will look at the scrotum for swelling, color, and damage to the skin, and examine the testicle itself. Infections of the reproductive system or urinary tract can sometimes cause similar pain. So, the doctor may do a urine test to rule out a urinary tract infection or infection of the reproductive organs.

How To Prevent Testicular Injuries

Take steps to avoid testicular injuries, especially during sports, exercise, or while just living an all-around active life.

Here are some tips to keep your child's testicles safe and sound:

• Protect the testicles. Always wear an athletic cup or athletic supporter when playing sports or doing a heavy activity. Athletic cups are usually made of hard plastic and worn over the groin area. They provide a good degree of shielding and safety for the testicles. Cups are best used when doing sports where your child's testicles might get hit or kicked, like football, hockey, soccer, or karate. An athletic supporter, or jock strap, is basically a cloth pouch that your child wears to keep testicles close to the body. Athletic supporters are best used for strenuous exercise, cycling, and heavy lifting.
• Check the fit. Make sure the athletic cup and/or athletic supporter is the right size. Safety equipment that's too small or too big won't protect testicles as effectively.
• Keep the doctor informed. Schedule regular sports physicals with a doctor. If there is testicular pain even once in a while, talk to the doctor about it.
• Be aware of the risks of sports or activities. Males who play a sport or do an activity with a high risk of injury, should talk to their coach or doctor about any other protective gear they should use.

Playing sports and living an active life are great ways to stay fit and relieve stress. But it's important to protect the testicles. Be sure your child uses protective gear to play hard without fear of testicular injury.