Sports injuries are common across all levels of athletic participation, but certain injuries are anatomy-specific. Testicular injuries are one such example, they occur in individuals who have testicles and are most commonly reported in contact and ball-related sports.
While cisgender women do not experience testicular injuries, this topic becomes relevant in women’s sports environments that include transgender women or athletes assigned male at birth (AMAB). Understanding how these injuries occur, their severity, and how they can be prevented is important for athlete safety.
What Is a Testicular Injury?
A testicular injury is a wound or damage caused to your testicles, usually as the result of:
- Direct impact.
- Blunt force trauma.
- Compression
- Penetrating injury (rare in sports).
The testicles are especially susceptible to trauma as they hang outside the body in the scrotum, which provides less protection than inside.
According to a study published in sports medicine literature, the primary cause of sports-related testicular injury is blunt trauma.
How Do Women’s Sports Cause Testicular Damage?
In such women’s sports that do include AMAB athletes, injuries do occur as the result of:
1) The Ball Impact Testicular Injuries in Women’s Sports
Sports such as:
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Softball
- Field hockey
Here a high-velocity ball can hit you square in the groin.
2) Player Collisions
Contact during:
- Rugby
- Lacrosse
- Martial arts.
- Wrestling
Forcible contact to the groin can occur during high-speed play by an opposing knee, elbow or hip inadvertently striking the area.
3) Falls Related Testicular Injuries in Women’s Sports
Falling onto:
- Equipment
- Hard surfaces.
- Another player
- Blunt compression trauma may result.
4) Lack of Protective Equipment
A study on sports-related testicular injuries in young male athletes has revealed that many of these athletes are not wearing protective cups regularly, potentially making them more susceptible to injury. This significantly increases injury risk.
How Serious Are Testicular Injuries in Women’s Sports?
The majority of sports related testicular trauma are low-impact and will heal themselves with:
- Rest
- Ice
- Pain management
But severe injury can cause:
- Testicular rupture.
- Hematoma (blood collection).
- Nausea and Vomiting.
- Torsion (rotation of the spermatic cord).
- Loss of blood supply.
- Fertility complications if untreated.
Symptoms of a Testicular Injury
Athletes ought to consult with a doctor or visit a 24/7 ER facility nearby, if they have:
- Severe groin pain.
- Swelling of the scrotum.
- Bruising or discoloration.
- Vomiting or Nausea (frequent with severe trauma).
- Pain out of proportion to presenting time (more than 1 hour).
- Blood in urine.
The intense pain with nausea can be a sign of testicular torsion, which is a surgical emergency.
What Does the Research Say?
According to published research, sports-related testicular injuries involve:
- The most frequent aetiology is blunt trauma.
- The highest risk is posed by contact sports and ball sports.
- The use of protective equipment is not uniform among athletes.
- Proactive medical evaluation results in better outcomes and less risk of complications.
In severe cases the treatment is delayed, leading to permanent injury.
How to Reduce the Risk of Testicular Injuries in Women’s Sports
Here’s how you can curtail such a risk:
1) Protective Cups
Females are less likely to get these types of severe injuries with the Female groin protection.
Although it has been proven to be effective, utilization continues to be low in various sports.
2) Proper Fitting Gear
Well-fitting compression shorts and underwear garments helps to control the region.
3) Rule Enforcement
The strict application of safety rules in combat sports tends to minimize unwanted hits.
4) Education
This is what athletes, coaches and trainers need to know:
When Testicular Injuries in Women’s Sports is an Emergency?
You should see a doctor help if:
- Pain is bad and not getting any better.
- There is rapid swelling.
- The testicle appears misshapen.
- Nausea and vomiting occur.
- There is suspected rupture.
Key Takeaway
Cisgender female athletes do not have testicular injuries, though this reality may be applicable within the broad range of settings associated with women’s sports, which could include transgender women or individuals that were assigned male at birth.
Most sports-related trauma to the testicle is mild, but significant injury necessitates immediate medical attention. Appropriate protective equipment and prompt treatment are needed to avoid long-term sequelae.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) Can testicular injuries occur in women’s sports?
Cisgender women do not have testicles, so traditional testicular injuries do not occur in cis female athletes. However, injuries may occur in women’s sports settings that include transgender women or athletes assigned male at birth (AMAB) who retain testicular anatomy.
2) What sports carry the highest risk for testicular injuries?
Contact and ball-related sports carry the greatest risk. These include soccer, basketball, softball, lacrosse, martial arts, rugby, and wrestling. Direct impact from a ball, knee, elbow, or collision is the most common cause.
3) What are the warning signs of a serious testicular injury?
Seek immediate medical care if there is:
- Severe or worsening groin pain.
- Significant swelling or bruising.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Blood in the urine.
- Persistent pain lasting more than an hour.
These symptoms may indicate rupture or torsion, which require urgent treatment.
4) Do athletic cups really prevent testicular injuries?
Yes, research shows that protective athletic cups significantly reduce the risk of severe trauma. However, many athletes do not consistently wear them, even in higher-risk sports.
5) When should someone go to the emergency room for a groin injury?
Go to the equipped ER like Aether Health ER immediately if the pain is intense, swelling develops quickly, nausea occurs, or the testicle appears to misshapen. Early evaluation can prevent permanent damage and protect long-term health.
