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Genital injury

Scrotal trauma; Straddle injury; Toilet seat injury

 

A genital injury is an injury to male or female sex organs, especially those outside the body. It also refers to injury in the area between the legs, called the perineum.

Considerations

 

Injury to the genitals can be very painful. It may cause a lot of bleeding. Such injury can affect the reproductive organs and the bladder and urethra.

Damage may be temporary or permanent.

 

Causes

 

Genital injury can occur in both women and young girls. It may be caused by placing items into the vagina. Young girls (usually less than 4 years of age) may do this during normal exploration of the body. Objects used may include toilet tissue, crayons, beads, pins, or buttons.

It is important to rule out sexual abuse, rape, and assault. The health care provider should ask the girl how the object was placed there.

In men and young boys, common causes of genital injury include:

  • Having the toilet seat fall down onto the area
  • Getting the area caught in a pant zipper
  • Straddle injury - falling and landing with the legs on each side of a bar, such as a monkey bar or the middle of a bicycle

 

Symptoms

 

  • Abdominal pain
  • Bleeding
  • Bruising
  • Change in shape of the affected area
  • Faintness
  • Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
  • Object embedded in a body opening
  • Groin pain or genital pain (can be extreme)
  • Swelling
  • Urine drainage
  • Vomiting
  • Urination that is painful or the inability to urinate
  • Wound

 

First Aid

 

Keep the person calm. Be sensitive to privacy. Cover the injured area while giving first aid.

Control bleeding by using direct pressure. Place a clean cloth or sterile dressing on any open wounds. If the vagina is bleeding severely, put sterile gauze or clean cloths on the area, unless a foreign body is suspected.

Apply cold compresses to help reduce swelling.

If the testicles have been injured, support them with a sling made from towels. Place them on a padded cloth such as a diaper.

If there is an object stuck in a body opening or wound, leave it alone and seek medical attention. Taking it out may cause more damage.

 

Do Not

 

Do not try to remove an object by yourself. Seek medical help immediately.

Never volunteer your thoughts on how you think the injury happened. If you think the injury was the result of assault or abuse, do NOT let the person change clothes or take a bath or shower. See immediate medical help.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

A straddle injury is damage to the testicle or urinary tract. Immediately get medical help if there is:

  • A lot of swelling or bruising
  • Blood in the urine

Seek immediate medical help if there is a genital injury and:

  • Pain, bleeding, or swelling
  • A concern about sexual abuse
  • Problems urinating
  • Blood in the urine

 

Prevention

 

Teach safety to young children and create a safe environment for them. Also, keep small objects out of the reach of toddlers.

 

 

References

Gerber GS, Brendler CB. Evaluation of the urologic patient: History, physical examination, and the urinalysis. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Novick AC, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 3.

 
  • Female reproductive anatomy - illustration

    External structures of the female reproductive anatomy include the labium minora and majora, the vagina and the clitoris. Internal structures include the uterus, ovaries and cervix.

    Female reproductive anatomy

    illustration

  • Male reproductive anatomy - illustration

    The male reproductive structures include the penis, the scrotum, the seminal vesicles and the prostate.

    Male reproductive anatomy

    illustration

  • Normal female anatomy - illustration

    The vagina is a thin-walled tube which lies between the bladder and rectum. It is often called the birth canal, since it provides the passageway of delivery of an infant.

    Normal female anatomy

    illustration

    • Female reproductive anatomy - illustration

      External structures of the female reproductive anatomy include the labium minora and majora, the vagina and the clitoris. Internal structures include the uterus, ovaries and cervix.

      Female reproductive anatomy

      illustration

    • Male reproductive anatomy - illustration

      The male reproductive structures include the penis, the scrotum, the seminal vesicles and the prostate.

      Male reproductive anatomy

      illustration

    • Normal female anatomy - illustration

      The vagina is a thin-walled tube which lies between the bladder and rectum. It is often called the birth canal, since it provides the passageway of delivery of an infant.

      Normal female anatomy

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

        Tests for Genital injury

         

           

          Review Date: 12/2/2014

          Reviewed By: Jennifer Sobol, DO, Urologist with the Michigan Institute of Urology, West Bloomfield, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healtcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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