A ruptured testicle is a health emergency that happens when the membrane holding the testicle breaks. Testicular rupture can occur with blunt force to your scrotum or a penetrating injury. The injury often requires surgical repair, and sometimes your testicle must be removed. You can maintain fertility with only one healthy testicle.
A ruptured testicle is a health emergency that happens when the membrane covering a testicle breaks. It can occur when:
Testicles are a pair of organs that make hormones and sperm in people assigned male at birth. They’re located in your scrotum, a sack of skin that hangs away from your penis. Each testicle is covered by a membrane called the tunica albuginea. And each testicle contains seminiferous tubules, which are the structures where sperm is made.
Because your testicles aren’t protected by muscles or bones, they can be injured easily. When a testicle ruptures, the tunica albuginea breaks and the seminiferous tubules stick out.
It’s important to seek medical attention quickly if you think you might have a ruptured testicle.
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Anyone assigned male at birth can experience a ruptured testicle. It’s more common in adolescents and young adults who play sports.
Although testicle injuries are relatively common, rupture is not.
A force of 50 pounds or more can rupture a testicle.
Testicular rupture occurs with trauma (injury). It may be blunt force or a penetrating injury, including:
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A ruptured testicle causes severe pain and swelling in your scrotum.
If you experience injury to your scrotum or testicular pain, seek medical attention. You can visit your primary care provider, a urologist or the emergency department.
A healthcare provider will ask you questions about your symptoms and perform a physical examination of the entire area.
They may order an ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create images of structures inside your body. During a testicular ultrasound, a healthcare provider will:
Sometimes other tests like an MRI are needed.
They also may order a urine test (urinalysis) to check for signs of infection or disease.
It’s important to get a prompt diagnosis and to differentiate a ruptured testicle from other testicular disorders and problems, such as:
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Most cases of testicular rupture require surgery to:
During ruptured testicle surgery, a surgeon will:
Sometimes a ruptured testicle can't be repaired and must be removed.
To prevent injury to your testicles:
It can take several weeks to a couple of months to recover from testicular rupture. Your healthcare provider may suggest that you:
One testicle is usually sufficient for you to produce sperm and maintain fertility. So if your other testicle is healthy, you should be able to conceive.
Seek prompt medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms after injury to the testicles or scrotum:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
A ruptured testicle is a health emergency often requiring surgery. If you’ve experienced an injury to your scrotum, contact your healthcare provider, a urologist or an emergency department.
Last reviewed on 06/06/2022.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy