Male Genital Problems and Injuries
Male genital problems and injuries can occur fairly easily since the scrotum and penis are not protected by bones. Genital problems and injuries most commonly occur during:
- Sports or recreational activities, such as mountain biking, soccer, or baseball.
- Work-related tasks, such as exposure to irritating chemicals.
- Falls.
A genital injury often causes severe pain that usually goes away quickly without causing permanent damage. Home treatment is usually all that is needed for minor problems or injuries. Pain, swelling, bruising, or rashes that are present with other symptoms may be a cause for concern.
Male genital conditions
- Testicular cancer. This is the most common cancer in men 15 to 35 years old. Testicular cancer is more common in white men than in black men. Many growths in the scrotum or testicles are not cancer (benign). However, a painless lump in a testicle may be a sign of cancer.
- An erection problem. This may occur when blood vessels that supply the penis are injured. A man may not be able to have an erection (erectile dysfunction), or the erection may not go away naturally (priapism), which is a medical emergency.
- Torsion of a testicle. This occurs when a testicle twists on the spermatic cord and cuts off the blood supply to the testicle. This is a medical emergency.
- Scrotal problems. These problems may include a painless buildup of fluid around one or both testicles (hydrocele) or an enlarged vein (varicose vein) in the scrotum (varicocele). Usually these are minor problems but may need to be evaluated by your health professional.
- Problems with the foreskin of an uncircumcised penis. Conditions that makes it difficult to pull the foreskin back from the head of the penis (phimosis) or that prevents a tightened, retracted foreskin from returning to its normal position over the head of the penis (paraphimosis) need to be evaluated.
- Hypospadias. This is a common birth defect where the urethra does not extend to the tip of the penis.
- Undescended testicles (cryptorchidism). This occurs when one or both testicles have not moved down into the scrotum.
- An inguinal hernia. A hernia occurs when a small portion of the bowel bulges out through the inguinal canal into the groin.
- A kidney stone. A stone forms from minerals in urine that crystallize and harden. Kidney stones are usually painless while they remain in the kidney, but they can cause severe pain as they break loose and travel through narrow tubes to exit the body.
- A sebaceous cyst. A cyst that is filled with a cheeselike, greasy material may develop beneath the outer layer of the skin in the scrotum.
Infections
Infections can occur in any area of the genitals, including:
- A testicle (orchitis).
- The epididymis (epididymitis).
- The urethra (urethritis).
- The prostate (prostatitis).
- The bladder (cystitis).
- A simple hair follicle (abscess) or deeper abscess in the scrotum that may involve the testes, epididymis, or urethra.
- The genital area (Fournier’s gangrene).
- The foreskin (balanitis).
Rashes
Rashes in the groin area have many causes, such as ringworm or yeast. Most rashes can be treated at home.
A rash may be the first symptom of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). If you may have been exposed to an STD, do not have sexual contact or activity until you have been evaluated by your health professional. This will reduce the risk of spreading a possible infection to your sex partner. Your sex partner may also need to be evaluated and treated.
Male genital problems may be related to whether the penis is circumcised or not. For more information, see the topic Circumcision.
Little boys may play with toys or other objects near their penis and accidentally cause an injury. Anything wrapped around the penis or an object in the penis needs immediate evaluation to avoid problems.
If you use a urinary catheter to drain your bladder, your health professional will give you instructions on when to call to report problems. Be sure to follow the instructions your health professional gave you.
Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a health professional.
Emergencies
Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.
- Signs of shock, such as rapid breathing, clammy skin, weakness, or a feeling that you are about to pass out
- Severe scrotal pain and swelling that lasts longer than 1 hour
- Painful erection (priapism) for longer than 4 hours
- Amputation of penis
Check Your Symptoms
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the “Yes” in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.
- Exposure to a sexually transmitted disease (STD): Go to the topic Exposure to Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
- A groin problem or injury: Go to the topic Groin Problems and Injuries.
- A rash on other parts of your body as well as the genital area: Go to the topic Rash, Age 12 and Older or Rash, Age 11 and Younger.
- Problems urinating: Go to the topic Urinary Problems, Age 12 and Older or Urinary Problems, Age 11 and Younger.
- A problem after circumcision: Go to the topic Circumcision.
- A burn to the genital area: Go to the topic Burns.
- A cut: Go to the topic Cuts.
- Problems after a body piercing: Go to the topic Body Piercing Problems.
- Problems after an operation, such as a vasectomy: Go to the topic Postoperative Problems
If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.
Home Treatment
Home treatment measures can help relieve pain, swelling, and bruising and promote healing after a genital injury. These home treatment measures also may be helpful for noninjury problems. However, if you suspect you may have a more severe injury, use first aid measures while you arrange for an evaluation by your health professional.
Home treatment for a minor injury
- Rest. Rest and protect an injured or sore area. Stop, change, or take a break from any activity that may be causing your pain or soreness.
- Ice. Cold will reduce pain and swelling. Apply an ice or cold pack immediately to reduce swelling. Apply the ice or cold pack for 10 to 20 minutes, three or more times a day. A bag of frozen peas or corn may work as a cold pack. 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 warmth to the area.
- Support. While recovering from a genital injury, wear jockey shorts, not boxers, to help support the injured area. You can use a jock strap if it helps relieve your pain.
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Home treatment measures may also be helpful for:
- Yeast infections that cause a fiery red rash with a scalloped border and sharply outlined edges in skin folds.
- Jock itch, which is a fungus (ringworm) infection of the skin that may cause a rash and blisters.
- Minor cuts or skin wounds with mild bleeding.
- A lump on the scrotal skin, such as a sebaceous cyst.
- Minor rashes that are red and itchy. These may be caused by contact with a substance (contact dermatitis), such as poison ivy, that causes an allergic reaction.
Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment
Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:
- Signs of an infection develop, such as swelling, redness, fever, or pus.
- Urinary problems develop.
- Swelling develops in the scrotum or lymph nodes in the groin.
- A rash gets worse or has not improved after 1 week of home treatment.
- Symptoms become more severe or frequent.
Prevention
The following prevention measures may help you reduce your risk of problems in the genital area. If you find a lump, growth, or other change in the genital area, use the Check Your Symptoms section to determine if and when you need to see your health professional.
Testicular self-exam
You may want to do a testicular self-exam once a month. The best time to do the exam is after a warm bath or shower when the scrotal skin is relaxed.
Male teens, young men, and men who have had undescended testicles or a family history of testicular cancer have an increased risk for developing testicular cancer.
Prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
You can take measures to reduce your risk of becoming infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). You can also reduce the risk of transmitting an STD to your sex partner. Know high-risk behaviors and the symptoms of STDs.
Delay sexual activity until you are prepared both physically and emotionally to have sex. Nearly two-thirds of all STDs occur in people younger than 25 years old. Sexually active teenagers are at high risk for STDs because they frequently have unprotected sex and have multiple partners. Biological changes during the teen years also may increase the risk of getting an STD.
Practice safe sex
Preventing a sexually transmitted disease (STD) is easier than treating an infection once it occurs.
- Talk with your partner about STDs before beginning a sexual relationship. Find out if he or she is at risk for an STD. Remember that it is quite possible to be infected with an STD without knowing it. Some STDs, such as HIV, can take up to 6 months before they can be detected in the blood. Ask about the following:
- How many sex partners has your new potential partner had?
- What high-risk behaviors does he or she have?
- Has he or she ever had an STD?
- Was it treated and cured?
- If the STD is not curable, what is the best way to protect yourself?
- Be responsible.
- Avoid sexual contact or activity if you have symptoms of an STD or are being treated for an STD.
- Avoid sexual contact or activity with anyone who has symptoms of an STD or who may have been exposed to an STD.
- Abstain from sexual intercourse to prevent any exposure to STDs.
- Don’t have more than one sex partner at a time. Your risk of an STD increases if you have several sex partners at the same time.
Condom use
Condoms can be used with contraceptive foam to prevent pregnancy or alone as protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Use a condom during vaginal, oral, or anal sex with a new partner until you are certain that he or she does not have any sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Male condom use
- Female condom use
In a long-term, single-partner (monogamous) relationship, partners may choose to quit using condoms to prevent STDs. However, using some form of birth control is important to prevent an unintended pregnancy.
Jock itch and yeast infection
Steps to prevent jock itch (fungal infection of the skin in the groin) or yeast infection (cutaneous candidiasis) include the following:
- Dry yourself well after bathing. Use a hair dryer to dry your groin area.
- Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes. Avoid tight pants.
- Use a powder to absorb moisture.
- If you have athlete’s foot, put your socks on before your underwear. This can prevent fungi from spreading from your feet to your groin when you put on your underwear.
- Change out of a wet bathing suit soon after swimming so that your skin can dry out.
