It hurts to even think about it. A baseball takes an unexpected
bounce when you're crouched and waiting to field a grounder, an
opponent misses a kick on the soccer field and his foot has only
one place to go, or you're speeding along on your bike and you
hit a big bump. All result in one really painful thing - a shot to
the testicles, one of the most tender areas on a guy's body.
Testicular injuries are relatively uncommon, but guys should be
aware that they can happen. So how can you avoid injury?
Why Do Testicular Injuries Happen and What Can You Do?
If you're a guy who plays sports, likes to lift weights and
exercise a lot, or leads an all-around active life, you've
probably come to find out that the testicles are kind of vulnerable
and can be injured in a variety of ways. Because they hang in a sac
outside the body (the
scrotum
), the testicles are not protected by bones and muscles like other
parts of your
reproductive system
and most of your other organs. Also, the location of the testicles
makes them prime targets to be accidentally struck on the playing
field or injured during strenuous exercise and activity.
The good news is that because the testicles are loosely attached
to the body and are made of a spongy material, they're able to
absorb most collisions without permanent damage. Testicles,
although sensitive, can bounce back pretty quickly and minor
injuries rarely have long-term effects. Also, sexual function or
sperm production will most likely not be affected if you have a
testicular injury.
You'll definitely feel pain if your testicles are struck or
kicked, and you might also feel nauseous for a short time. If
it's a minor testicular injury, the pain should gradually
subside in less than an hour and any other symptoms should go away.
In the meantime, you can do a few things to help yourself feel
better such as take pain relievers, lie down, gently support the
testicles with supportive underwear, and apply ice packs to the
area. At any rate, it's a good idea to avoid strenuous activity
for a while and take it easy for a few days.
However, if the pain doesn't subside or you experience
extreme pain that lasts longer than an hour; if you have swelling
or bruising of the scrotum or a puncture of the scrotum or
testicle; if you continue to have nausea and vomiting; or if you
develop a fever, get to a doctor
immediately
. These are symptoms of a much more serious injury that needs to be
addressed as soon as possible.
Serious Testicular Injuries
Examples of serious testicular injury are
testicular torsion
and
testicular rupture
. In the case of
testicular torsion
, the testicle twists around, cutting off its blood supply. This
can happen due to a serious trauma to the testicles, strenuous
activity, or even for no apparent reason.
Testicular torsion isn't common, but when it does happen, it
most often occurs in guys ages 12 to 18. If it occurs, it is
crucial
to see a doctor as soon as possible - within 6 hours of the time
the pain starts. Unfortunately, after 6 hours, there is a much
greater possibility that complications could result, including
reduced sperm production or the loss of the testicle. The problem
may be fixed by a doctor manually untwisting the testicle. If that
doesn't work, surgery will be necessary.
Testicular rupture
can also happen, but it is a rare type of testicular trauma. This
can happen when the testicle receives a forceful direct blow or
when the testicle is crushed against the
pubic bone
(the bone that forms the front of the pelvis), 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. To fix the problem,
surgery is necessary to repair the ruptured testicle.
Seeing a Doctor
If you have to see a doctor, he or she will first need to know
how long you have been experiencing pain and how severe your
discomfort is. To rule out a hernia or other problem as the cause
of the pain, the doctor will examine your abdomen and groin. In
addition, the doctor will look at your scrotum for swelling, color,
and damage to the skin and examine the testicle itself. Because
infections of the reproductive system or urinary tract can
sometimes cause similar pain, your doctor may do a urine test to
rule out a
urinary tract infection
or infection of the reproductive organs.
Preventing Testicular Injuries
It's a good idea to take precautions to avoid testicular
injuries, especially if you play sports, exercise a lot, or just
live an all-around active life. Here are some tips to keep your
testicles safe and sound:
-
Protect your testicles.
Always wear an athletic cup or athletic supporter when playing
sports or participating in strenuous activity. Athletic cups are
usually made of hard plastic, are worn over the groin area, and
provide a good degree of shielding and safety for the testicles.
Cups are best used when participating in sports where your
testicles might get hit or kicked, like football, hockey, soccer,
or karate. An athletic supporter, or jock strap, is basically a
cloth pouch that you wear to keep your testicles close to your
body. Athletic supporters are best used when participating in
strenuous exercise, cycling, or doing any heavy lifting.
-
Check your 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 you as effectively.
-
Keep your doctor informed.
If you play sports, you probably have regular physical exams by a
doctor. If you experience testicular pain even occasionally, talk
to your doctor about it.
-
Be aware of the risks of your sport or activity
.
If you play a sport or participate in an activity with a high
risk of injury, talk to your coach or doctor about any additional
protective gear you should use.
Participating in sports and living an active life are great ways
to stay fit and relieve stress. But it's important to make sure
your testicles are protected. When you're exercising or playing
sports, make sure that using protective gear is part of your
routine and you'll be able to play hard without fear of
testicular injury!
Reviewed by:
T. Ernesto Figueroa, MD
Date reviewed: September 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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