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Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Risks of testicular cancer Checking your testicles using testicular self-examination Testicle anatomy What to expect when performing testicular self-examination How to perform testicular self-examination Symptoms of testicular cancer and testicular self-examination Testicular conditions other than cancer Where to get help.
Risks of testicular cancer Men who had undescended testicles at birth, or who are infertile , are at greater risk of testicular cancer. Checking your testicles using testicular self-examination Testicular self-examination only takes a minute. Testicle anatomy The anatomy of the testicle includes: testicle or testis — small, oval-shaped sex gland that produces sex hormones and sperm epididymis — a series of small tubes attached to the back of the testicle that collect and store sperm.
The epididymis connects to a larger tube called the vas deferens scrotum — the skin sac that houses the testicles. What to expect when performing testicular self-examination Become familiar with the look, feel and shape of your testicles; this will help you notice any abnormalities. The characteristics of healthy testicles include: Each testicle feels like a smooth, firm egg. Adult testicles range in size from about 15 mL similar to a bird egg to 35 mL similar to a small chicken egg.
One testicle may be slightly larger than the other. Commonly, one testicle hangs lower than the other. There should be no pain or discomfort when the testicles and scrotum are handled gently. How to perform testicular self-examination Generally, the TSE procedure includes: Make sure your scrotum is warm and relaxed. You may like to perform TSE after showering or bathing.
Check one testicle first, then the other. If you have any concerns, ask your doctor. We really like the video by CheckOneTwo produced for their FeelingNuts campaign on preventing testicular cancer narrated by Ant and Dec. A testicle can get larger for many reasons other than cancer.
You may feel testicular torsion, a serious condition and a medical emergency. Symptoms of this condition include smaller testes or undescended testes, and some female characteristics, such as less body and facial hair, and breast tissue growth. Having Klinefelter syndrome usually means having lower testosterone levels and reduced sperm activity. Infertility can result. The clinical term for abnormally low testosterone is hypogonadism. Symptoms may include:. Hypogonadism is often treated with testosterone replacement therapy , and it can sometimes begin during puberty.
A study found that slightly smaller testicles were associated with a more nurturing quality among fathers. Reduced testosterone levels and testes volume were associated with higher levels of paternal caregiving. If you notice swelling of your testicles, tell your doctor. Growing larger testes in adulthood can signal testicular cancer or another health problem, rather than be a sign of increasing virility.
Then they grow steadily, reaching their adult size some time during puberty. Testicles tend to grow at the same rate, though one may grow slightly larger and for a little longer than the other. As you age, testosterone production tends to drop as your testicles start to get smaller.
This is known as testicular atrophy. The change is often gradual and may not be especially noticeable. When it occurs naturally, there is no health threat. Lower testosterone levels can lead to a reduced libido and less muscle mass, but these tend to be natural parts of aging. Other, harmless factors can also cause temporary changes in the scrotum and testicles. When exposed to cold water or temperatures, the testicles may temporarily retract closer to the body through a mechanism called cremasteric retraction.
This occurs because the testicles try to maintain a certain temperature that is ideal for sperm production. That temperature is slightly cooler than average body temperature, which is why the testicles tend to hang down away from the body. But when exposed to cold water or cold temperatures, the cremaster muscle kicks in, pulling the testicles up into the body for warmth.
There is usually no medical or health explanation for a size difference. However, if you notice a change in the size or shape of one or both testicles, you should tell your doctor. If one testicle starts to feel heavier or you feel a lump or a change of shape, it could be a tumor and possibly the first sign of testicular cancer.
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