Getting kicked in the cb: what ball shots really do to your body and how to recover safely

Getting kicked in cb hurts in a way few other injuries do. Here is what is actually happening inside your scrotum, how to spot serious damage, and the exact steps to protect your long-term testicular health and fertility.

The relationship

Getting kicked in cb, whether in sports, a fall, or an accident, delivers a direct blow to two of the least protected organs in the body: your testicles. The testicles sit outside the pelvis in a thin sac of skin and muscle called the scrotum, with no bone or thick muscle to shield them. That exposure is great for sperm production, which needs cooler temperatures, but it also makes testicular trauma common.

Emergency departments see testicular injuries from sports, cycling, fights, and work accidents. Blunt trauma, like getting kicked in cb, is one of the leading causes in younger men. The good news: with prompt evaluation and care, most men recover fully without serious complications.

The pain you feel after getting kicked in cb is not just “in your head.” The testicles are packed with sensory nerves and linked to deep abdominal nerves. That shared wiring is why a fast kick to the scrotum can trigger stomach cramps, nausea, even vomiting. This pain response is your body’s alarm system to protect sperm production and hormone function.

How it works

To understand what getting kicked in cb does to your body, it helps to know the basic structure around your testicles and nerves.

Shared nerve pathways between testicles and abdomen

The spermatic cord is the bundle of blood vessels, nerves, and the vas deferens that runs from each testicle up into your abdomen. Micro-definition: the spermatic cord is the “lifeline cable” that connects the testicle to the body. During fetal development, the testicles start high in the abdomen and then descend into the scrotum, dragging some of their nerve supply with them.

Because of this shared origin, pain signals from a blow to the testicle travel along the same nerve routes used by parts of your abdomen and kidneys. The brain can have trouble pinpointing where the pain is coming from, so it “maps” it to the lower belly as well as the scrotum. That is why getting kicked in cb often causes deep, cramping pain in the stomach and groin instead of just on the surface.

Why testicular pain feels so intense

The testicles are surrounded by a thin capsule called the tunica albuginea. Micro-definition: the tunica albuginea is a tough, stretchy shell that wraps the testicle. Inside that shell sit tightly packed tubes where sperm are made. This dense, pressure-sensitive structure is filled with pain fibers, so even modest swelling ramps up nerve signaling.

When you are kicked in cb, the testicle can be suddenly compressed against the pubic bone or thigh. This spike in pressure irritates pain fibers, triggers local release of inflammatory chemicals, and causes the sharp, sickening pain most men describe. Functional MRI and clinical pain research show that genital pain lights up brain areas linked to both physical and emotional distress, which is why even short-lived testicular pain can feel overwhelming.

Immediate responses: muscle spasm, nausea, and dizziness

A strong blow to the testicles can trigger a vasovagal response. Micro-definition: a vasovagal response is a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure caused by nerve reflexes. This can cause nausea, sweating, lightheadedness, or even brief fainting after getting kicked in cb.

At the same time, muscles in the lower abdomen and around the scrotum contract automatically to pull the testicles closer to the body, trying to protect them. This reflex tightening, plus the shared nerve pathways, explains the curling-over posture and stomach-clutching most men instinctively adopt after a groin hit.

Types of internal damage a kick can cause

Most cases of getting kicked in cb cause only a bruise or temporary swelling of the testicular tissue or surrounding structures, with pain improving over a few hours. However, severe blows can lead to structural damage. Key injuries include:

• Testicular contusion: a bruise within the testicle itself, usually causing swelling and tenderness but no break in the outer capsule.
• Testicular rupture: a tear in the tunica albuginea, allowing inner tissue to spill out; this is a surgical emergency if suspected.
• Hematocele: a collection of blood around the testicle inside the scrotum after trauma.
• Testicular torsion triggered by trauma: torsion is when the testicle twists on the spermatic cord, cutting off its blood supply.

Scrotal ultrasound is the standard imaging test when doctors need to assess damage after trauma. It can distinguish bruises from rupture and check blood flow to the testicle.

Hormones, fertility, and “thresholds” for concern

The testicles produce both sperm and testosterone. A single minor episode of getting kicked in cb is unlikely to change your long-term hormone levels or fertility. However, severe trauma, testicular rupture, or loss of a testicle can reduce both sperm production and testosterone output.

Most guidelines define low testosterone when total testosterone is consistently below about 350 ng/dL, or when free testosterone is below 100 pg/mL and symptoms of low T are present.^[1] If you have had major scrotal trauma and later notice fatigue, low sex drive, or erectile problems that persist, checking testosterone and a semen analysis can be reasonable.

Conditions linked to it

Getting kicked in cb can be followed by several specific medical conditions. Not every kick leads to these, but knowing the names helps you recognize when things are no longer “just sore.”

• Testicular contusion: The most common outcome. The testicle is intact but bruised. You may see moderate swelling, aching pain, and tenderness that improve over 24 to 72 hours. Conservative treatment with rest, support, and ice is usually enough.
• Testicular rupture: A high-energy kick in cb, especially from a hard object like a cleat, can tear the protective capsule. Signs include severe swelling, a misshapen testicle, and pain that does not improve. Surgical repair within 72 hours gives the best chance of saving the testicle.
• Trauma-induced testicular torsion: Torsion is usually spontaneous in teens, but trauma can trigger twisting in men with a “bell-clapper” deformity, where the testicle hangs more freely. This leads to sudden, often one-sided pain, high-riding testicle, and nausea. Blood flow can be lost in under 6 hours, so this is an emergency.^[2]
• Hematocele or scrotal hematoma: Blood can collect around or inside the scrotum after getting kicked in cb, sometimes making the scrotum heavy, tense, and darker. Large collections may need drainage or surgery.
• Post-traumatic epididymitis: The epididymis is the coiled tube at the back of each testicle where sperm mature. Micro-definition: epididymitis is inflammation of that tube. Trauma can inflame it, causing gradual-onset pain and swelling that may mimic infection.^[3]
• Chronic orchialgia: Micro-definition: orchialgia is long-lasting testicular pain. A small fraction of men develop chronic pain after a significant scrotal injury, even when imaging looks normal.

Limitations note: Long-term data on fertility outcomes after isolated blunt testicular trauma are limited. Most evidence comes from small case series rather than large trials, so estimates of risk for chronic pain or fertility problems are not precise.

Symptoms and signals

Most pain from getting kicked in cb fades within minutes to a few hours. Warning signs start when pain or swelling do not follow that pattern. Watch for:

• Pain that is severe and does not ease at all after 30 to 60 minutes
• Rapidly increasing swelling or one side of the scrotum becoming much larger than the other
• A hard, “wood-like” feel to the testicle or scrotum
• A testicle that sits much higher than usual or at a strange angle
• Nausea or vomiting that does not settle once the initial shock passes
• Visible bruising that spreads quickly or scrotal skin that becomes very tense and shiny
• Blood in the urine or from the urethra (the opening at the tip of the penis)
• Burning with urination or fever developing hours to days later
• Pain that comes and goes in waves, especially with movement
• Persistent dull ache or sensitivity in the testicle weeks after getting kicked in cb

If you notice any of these, especially sudden swelling, deformity, or high-riding testicle, you should treat it as an emergency and seek care within hours, not days.

What to do about it

Here is a practical 1-2-3 plan for what to do when you or someone you are with gets kicked in cb.

1. Step 1: Assess and rule out emergencies
   In the first 15 to 30 minutes, help the person lie down in a comfortable position, usually on the back with knees bent. Check for:
   • Extreme pain that does not ease at all
   • Scrotum quickly enlarging on one side
   • Testicle that looks or feels out of place
   • Feeling faint, ongoing vomiting, or confusion

   If any of these are present, go straight to an emergency department. Do not wait to “see if it gets better.” Doctors can use scrotal ultrasound to differentiate a bad bruise from rupture or torsion, and early surgery can save the testicle when needed.^,[2]

2. Step 2: Manage pain and protect the area
   If symptoms are milder and improving, home care is often enough:
   • Apply a cold pack wrapped in a thin cloth to the scrotum for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, with 20-minute breaks, during the first few hours.
   • Wear snug underwear or an athletic supporter to reduce bouncing and friction.
   • Use over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen if you have no medical reason to avoid them, following package directions.
   • Limit intense activity, running, or heavy lifting for 24 to 48 hours.

   During the next 2 to 3 days, you should see decreasing pain and swelling. If things instead plateau or worsen after the first day, get checked by a clinician.

3. Step 3: Monitor for delayed problems
   Even when the initial pain from getting kicked in cb settles, keep an eye on:
   • New or recurrent swelling
   • Lumps or hard spots that were not there before
   • Ongoing tenderness that lasts more than 1 to 2 weeks
   • Changes in sex drive, erections, or energy over the next few months

   If any of these occur, seeing a urologist for an exam, possible ultrasound, and hormone or fertility testing is reasonable.^,[1] If you do notice persistent fatigue, low sex drive, or other signs of low T, you can learn more about common low testosterone symptoms and how they tend to show up in daily life.

Myth vs Fact: Getting kicked in cb

• Myth: “If you can still walk after getting kicked in cb, it is not serious.”
  Fact: You can often walk with a ruptured testicle or torsion. Pain, swelling pattern, and testicle position are better clues than whether you can stand.
• Myth: “A hot bath is the best way to soothe the area after trauma.”
  Fact: Cold compresses are preferred during the first 24 hours to limit swelling. Heat can increase bleeding or swelling early on.
• Myth: “If one testicle is damaged, the other always fully makes up for it.”
  Fact: Many men do fine with one healthy testicle, but some still see reduced sperm counts or lower testosterone and may need monitoring.
• Myth: “Getting kicked in cb will automatically make you infertile.”
  Fact: Most isolated blunt injuries that do not rupture the testicle do not cause infertility. Severe trauma or repeated blows carry higher risk.
• Myth: “Only direct hits in sports are dangerous.”
  Fact: Bicycle accidents, falls onto hard edges, or work-related impacts can produce just as much force on the scrotum as a soccer or martial arts kick.

To prevent injury during sports or work where getting kicked in cb is more likely, a well-fitted athletic cup or groin protector is one of the simplest protective steps. Studies in contact sports show that players who consistently use protective cups have fewer severe testicular injuries than those who rely on regular athletic shorts alone.^[4]

Bottom line

Getting kicked in cb is one of the most memorable pains a man can experience, but most single episodes cause short-lived discomfort rather than permanent harm. The testicles are exposed, highly sensitive organs with deep nerve connections to the abdomen, so intense pain and brief nausea are expected. The true red flags are pain that does not ease, rapid swelling, a misshapen or high-riding testicle, or systemic symptoms like fever. In those cases, fast evaluation and scrotal ultrasound are critical to protect the testicle, fertility, and hormone function. When in doubt, it is always safer to get checked than to guess.

References

1. Mulhall JP, Trost LW, Brannigan RE, et al. Evaluation and Management of Testosterone Deficiency: AUA Guideline. The Journal of urology. 2018;200:423-432. PMID: 29601923
2. Cummings JM, Boullier JA, Sekhon D, et al. Adult testicular torsion. The Journal of urology. 2002;167:2109-10. PMID: 11956451
3. Street E, Joyce A, Wilson J. BASHH UK guideline for the management of epididymo-orchitis, 2010. International journal of STD & AIDS. 2011;22:361-5. PMID: 21729951
4. Yard EE, Collins CL, Comstock RD. A comparison of high school sports injury surveillance data reporting by certified athletic trainers and coaches. Journal of athletic training. 2009;44:645-52. PMID: 19911092