How to examine your testicles

• The best time is after a warm bath or shower, when the skin of the scrotum is relaxed.
• Support the scrotum and testicles in the palm of your hand, to feel their weight. One testicle may be slightly larger than the other, but they should be about the same weight.
• Hold a testicle between the thumb and fingers, with your thumb on top and first and second fingers underneath. Roll the testicle gently, feeling for any hard lumps. A normal testicle is oval in shape; it feels firm but not hard and is smooth with no lumps.
• Feel the epididymis, a sausage-shaped lump at the top and back of each testicle. It will feel soft and perhaps slightly tender.
• Feel the spermatic cords which lead upwards from the epididymis and behind the testicles. They are firm, smooth tubes.
• Do the same with the other testicle.

NOW THAT YOU ARE DONE KINDLY READ THIS !!!

It is true what they say about men,they can be very insensitive about their feelings toward some situations but one thing you don't know about men is they are notoriously sensitive about their testicles. After all, they are sensitive structures.it will interest you to know how this discomfort and pain in the testicles can cause overwhelming  concern to men,

The testicle is the wholesale and factory for production of sperms (spermatozoa)

 have you thought about why the testicles where placed in between our legs? Well is simple because that place is very conducive for the production of sperm because of its extraordinary temperature.

The temperature there is  lower that the rest of the body.

 But testicles are also sensitive,so men often find it difficult to talk about them.

Men find it easy to tell friends how good they are in bed and how they penis is getting bigger and bigger(at least everybody lies about what actually goes on in the bedroom) aside this pleasure, it becomes a source of embarrassment  when talking about them when you start experiences some signs and symptoms.

 Problems like :

 Hydrocele - this condition is caused by a build-up of fluid around the pouch surrounding the testicles. This build-up occurs for a number of reasons, most commonly from injury or following an infection. The result is a swollen scrotum. It's usually painless, but the swelling can be quite large.

It's not a common condition, but athletes should be careful to protect the groin. A doctor will be able to diagnose this condition following an examination.

 

Testicular Torsion - this is an extremely painful condition. The testicles are suspended into the scrotum by a spermatic cord. If the spermatic cord becomes twisted, it cuts off the blood supply to the testicles. The symptoms are extreme pain, swelling, vomiting, nausea, and fever.

The risk is low, but it's most common in young boys. There are no known causes, and it can't be prevented. It is urgent that a doctor be consulted immediately. If the spermatic cord remains twisted for too long, the lack of blood supply can severely damage the testicle. An operation must be performed to untwist the cord

 

Epididymitis - this condition is caused by an inflamed epididymis. The epididymis is the tube that carries sperm from the testicle to the penis. If the swelling also affects the testicle, then the condition is known as epididymo-orchitis. Some of the symptoms include severe pain, fever, and a swollen area on the private parts that may feel hot to the touch.

This condition is more common in childhood than in later years. However, it has been known to occur in adults. Most often, in adult males, it occurs because of a viral or bacterial infection. Epididymitis can also occur following a vasectomy or sexual contact. A urine test is necessary to diagnose the condition. It can take several months for epididymitis to go away.

 

Bag of worms’ or varicocele

 If you feel something in your scrotum like a bag of worms (most obvious when you are standing), you probably have a varicocele.

 What a varicocele is. The ‘spermatic cord’ that leads upwards from the scrotum carries a tube for sperms to reach the penis, and also veins and arteries. The veins of the spermatic cord can become swollen, elongated and looped, similar to varicose veins in the leg – this is a varicocele. If the veins are only slightly swollen they will be unnoticeable, but moderately swollen veins can often be felt. Varicocele does not usually cause any symptoms, although some men report discomfort or may feel embarrassed if the swollen veins are visible under the skin. About 15% of normal healthy young men have a varicocele, usually on the left side.

 

Varicocele and fertility. Doctors have been arguing for years about whether a varicocele affects fertility, by damaging the development of sperms in the testicle (British Medical Journal 2004;328:967–8). For example, the blood in the swollen veins could act like a hot water bottle, keeping the testicle too warm. Developing sperms like to be cool, which is why the scrotum hangs outside the body. In fact, varicocele is only slightly more common in men with sperm problems and, if it does affect fertility, it is only a small effect.

 

• Pain from testicular torsion usually comes on suddenly.

• Pain from epididymitis usually begins gradually. Early on, the pain due to epididymitis is frequently localized to the area of the epididymis itself.

• With testicular pain from any source, the affected individual may experience any of the following symptoms:

• swelling, tenderness, or redness of the testicles and scrotum;
• nausea and vomiting
•  discharge
• sexual intercourse accompanied with pain
•  fever
• blood in urine or may be in semen
• painful urination or penile discharge; and
• pain with ejaculation,

 

It is always heartbreaking when you decide to visit a doctor, but gather courage and momentum because it can endanger life if delayed  in diagnosis and treatment .

It always feel good after consultation with your doctor so stop nagging and seek for help.

 

written by Dr.Emmanuel Duah