My son just had a physical exam, and the doctor examined his testicles. Why is this done?
- Phyllis

Testicular exams can make any guy feel a bit awkward or embarrassed, but just like a blood pressure check, they're a normal part of a physical examination.

Doctors check the testicles and the area around them to make sure everything is healthy and developing normally and that there are no problems, such as a hernia, a varicocele, or, in rare cases, a tumor. Teens should also learn how to perform testicular self-examinations so they can learn what is normal and what changes might signal a problem.

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: October 2012

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