Action for schools: Access Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) resources to raise awareness of testicular torsion  

Testicular torsion is a time-critical emergency where a testicle twists, cutting off the blood supply and causing sudden scrotal pain. The testicle can die within six hours without emergency surgery. 

With torsion occurring in 1 in 1,000 boys aged 10-20 NHS England, through the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme, is working to raise awareness and improve education among young people, parents/carers and teachers to ensure boys experiencing severe testicular pain and other symptoms of torsion can recognise the signs and understand to act quickly. 

Teachers can access NHS-endorsed online resources developed by clinicians, including information for teenagers/parents and lesson plans for use in RSHE lessons. In collaboration with NHS England’s Youth Board, GIRFT has also developed three posters for display in boys’ toilets.  

Further information on causes of testicular pain is available on the NHS website.