Performing A Testicular Self Exam

The purpose of a testicular self exam is to explore the scrotum sack for abnormalities. The beginning of puberty is the right time to start examining the testicles for lumps or swellings. But if you have never done so before, right now is a good time to start. Positive finds could indicate early sign of testicular cancer. Early detection can almost guarantee certain cure.

A Testicular self exam should be performed once each and every month. Regular self examination makes you aware of any changes that may occur since your last testicular self exam. The entire task should take just a few minutes.

Before you start self-examinations, have your testicles examine by a doctor or professional in the field to ensure the content of the scrotum is normal. Then immediately perform a self exam to become familiar with what comprises normal testicles. This is a critical step that should be undertaken prior to testicular self exam, to make certain that an existing swollen testicle or a scrotum lump would not be regarded as normal.

A standard scrotum is double pouched, contains two testes and part of the spermatic cord, which suspends the testicles. The spermatic cord is composed of veins, arteries, nerves, and the ductus deferens. Behind and resting on posterior surface of the testicles is the epididymis, a worm-like tube about 4 to 6 meters long. This is the basic configuration of the scrotum.

For best results, perform the testicular self exam immediately after a warm bath or shower. Hold one testicle at a time with two fingers along the underside, while using the thumb to make circular massages on the upper side. This should not cause any testicle pain. You are feeling for changes, something that's present now that wasn't there before: lumps in the scrotum … scrotal hernia, infected or swollen testicle … orchitis, swollen epididymis … epididymitis. Your sexual health is entirely in your hands.

This is a small but significant amount of time taken out of your monthly routine bustle that would safeguard your sexual health against testicular cancer for many years to come. Forty percent of all testicular cancers are seminomas… tumors or lumps in the scrotum. These are benign masses that could become cancerous without early detection. That's why it's so important to perform a testicular regularly. Any changes or abnormal findings should be immediately reported to your doctor. Only a physician can diagnose testicular cancer.

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