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.
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