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Other Names: Scrotal Trauma, Straddle Injury, Toilet Sat Injury
Genital Injuries
On this page:
Genital injuries are injuries that can occur
to external male genitals. These injuries can occur fairly easily since the
scrotum
and penis are not protected by bony
structures.
A genital injury often causes severe pain but usually goes away quickly without
causing permanent damage. Symptoms that might be persistent may be a cause
for concern and immediate attention.
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- Sports or recreational activities, such as ice hockey, cross-country
skiing, mountain biking, baseball or soccer.
- Falling from a bike onto the cross bar.
- Work-related activities e.g. exposure of genitals to toxic or irritating
chemicals, burns, cuts, amputation of penis
- Work or projects around the home like falling on a pointed object.
- Motor vehicle accidents.
- Gun shot wounds
- Physical trauma or injury due to assault (direct blow, blunt trauma
or cuts caused by sharp objects)
- Entrapment of foreskin, scrotum or penis in a zipper
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- Symptoms of shock like lightheadedness, restlessness, shallow, rapid
breathing, moist, cool skin or possibly profuse sweating, weakness.
- Abdominal distress
- Pelvic pain
- Severe pain in the penis, scrotum or testicles.
- Swelling in the scrotal region that lasts longer than 1 hour.
- Painful erection (priapism) for more than 2 to 3 hours.
- Bleeding or abnormal discharge from the penis.
- Discoloration or bruising of the skin over penis or scrotum.
- Wound, redness, rashes, skin irritation or ulcers on the penis or
scrotum.
- Gradually growing lump in the shaft of the penis.
- Urinary Problems like inability to urinate, difficulty or burning
with urination, frequent urge to urinate without being able to pass
much
urine, urgent
need
to urinate,
blood
in urine.
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The most serious implication of genital injuries is priapism. Priapism is
a condition in which the penis stays erect without sexual stimulation. This
condition
is
unbearably
painful and
severe
episodes
can last
for days
or weeks. Priapism can damage the penis, making
it impossible to get a normal erection. This may result in a disease condition
called erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is
the main long-term result of priapism, and it can occur after just one episode
of priapism. Genital injuries can be very painful and can bleed
heavily. It can affect the reproductive organs as well as the bladder and urethra.
There may be temporary or permanent damage to the genital tissues depending
on the amount of damage, which can range from minimal to severe. However,
some injuries,
such
as a
cut or small
bruise,
may heal completely. Other injuries may cause recurrent infection if there
was damage to the urinary system, scarring, or atrophy of the testes. If the
penis was actually cut off and surgically reattached, the patient may
have decreased sensation in the penis or erectile dysfunction.
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Immediate
Care |
Rest |
Lie down and elevate your legs 12 inches or
more. Control any bleeding and keep yourself warm or cool depending on the
weather. Record the the pulse every 5 minutes and reassure to relieve anxiety.
Apply gentle but firm direct pressure for 10 minutes with gauze if there
is bleeding. Rest and protect the injured or sore area. |
Drain & Suture |
If there is a minor cut, wash the area with soap and water
for five minutes and suture the cut. Drain the accumulated pool of blood
|
Urinary Catheter |
Urinary catheter is inserted to relieve urinary obstruction
due to blood clot or hematoma |
Ice |
Apply an ice or cold pack immediately to reduce pain and
prevent or minimize swelling for 10 to 20 minutes, three or more times a
day. Protect your skin from frostbite by placing a cloth between the ice
and the skin. After 48 to 72 hours, if swelling is gone, apply gentle warmth
to the area with a heating pad. |
Support |
Wear a soft athletic support or jock strap to provide
support and decrease the pain in the testicles. |
| Medications |
Pain Medications |
Pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen
(Advil or Motrin), Naproxen, (Aleve or Naprosyn), Ketoprofen (Actron or
Orudis) and Aspirin. |
Antibiotics |
Broad spectrum antibiotics should be prescribed by your
physician to treat or prevent infection |
| Ongoing Care |
Warm Bath |
Take a warm bath, which may help relieve pain and itching.
Avoid using bubble bath because it may cause additional irritation.Use gentle
soaps, such as Basis, Cetaphil, Dove, or Oil of Olay. |
Loose Clothing |
Avoid further irritation by wearing loose and soft under
clothing. Do not use soaps, perfumes, or hygiene sprays on the genital area.
|
Avoid Sex |
Avoid intercourse until symptoms improve. Do not use a
condom. |
Consult your physician |
Consult your physician regarding a possibility of a sexually
transmitted disease as sores or ulcers might be the first signs of these
diseases. |
Prevention |
Protect yourself by wearing a jock strap and
cup while performing tasks that might involve the risk of injuring your
genitals. |
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Yale Nw Haven Health
Palm Beachpost.com
Discovery Channel
WebMD
Health Scout
American Accreditation HealthCare Commission
MD Advice
Health Guide
Health Canada
N.O.H.A.R.M
Golden Age Health Canada
Ethnic Medicine Information from Harborview
Medical Center
The Cross Cultural Healthcare Program
Health Web
LifeMD
Men's Health Canada
C Health
MEDLINEplus
MayoClinic
Healthfinder
The Cleveland Clinic Glickman
Urological Institute
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