My mom says that my doctor will probably examine my testicles the next time
I have a physical exam. Why?
– Ben*
A testicular exam can
make a guy feel a bit awkward or embarrassed, but just like checking a person's blood
pressure, it's a normal part of a physical exam. The doctor checks the testicles and
the area around them to make sure everything is healthy and that a guy doesn't have
any problems, like a hernia.
Your doctor can teach you how to check your testicles yourself (called a testicular
self-exam) so you can learn what's normal and what changes to be aware of
that might need to be checked out, like lumps or swelling.
*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.
Date reviewed: November 2015
