Male Genital Problems and Injuries

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Signs of shock
• 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

Yes	Have you injured your scrotum or penis?
Yes	Do you have a change in the appearance or feel of your penis?
Yes	Are you concerned that the injury was caused by an intentional act?
Yes	Do you have signs of an infection in your genital area?
Yes	Do you have pain in the penis, scrotum, or testicles?
Yes	Do you have an erection problem?
Yes	Do you have a growth in the scrotum or on a testicle?
Yes	Do you have swelling in the scrotum?
Yes	Do you have an abnormal discharge, such as mucus, pus, or blood, from the penis or in your semen?
Yes	Do you have a rash or sores on the skin of the penis or scrotum?

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: March 29, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.