Understanding testicular health is a significant aspect of overall well-being. Addressing health issues in this sensitive area promptly with a medical professional is always advisable. This ensures accurate diagnosis and appropriate care for any potential conditions.
Which Medical Professional
A general practitioner or family doctor is typically the initial point of contact for testicular health concerns. These physicians perform initial assessments, diagnose common issues, and provide referrals to specialists when necessary. They are equipped to evaluate symptoms affecting the male reproductive system.
For more complex diagnoses, a general practitioner may refer a patient to a urologist. Urologists specialize in the urinary tract and male reproductive system, including the testicles, epididymis, and vas deferens. They handle conditions requiring specialized diagnostic procedures or surgical interventions. In instances of sudden, severe symptoms, an emergency room doctor may provide immediate assessment and care.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Several symptoms warrant a medical evaluation for testicular concerns. These include new lumps or swelling in the testicle or scrotum. Persistent pain or discomfort, changes in a testicle’s size, shape, or consistency, a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, or noticeable redness, warmth, or fluid accumulation, also suggest underlying issues.
Pain during urination or ejaculation, or following any injury or trauma to the testicular area, should prompt a visit to a healthcare provider. Routine check-ups, often part of a general physical examination, also provide an opportunity for doctors to assess testicular health and address any emerging concerns.
What to Expect During an Examination
During a testicular examination, the medical professional gathers a detailed medical history, including symptoms, past health, and lifestyle factors, to guide diagnosis. A physical examination follows, involving visual inspection and gentle palpation of the testicles, scrotum, epididymis, and spermatic cord to check for lumps, swelling, or tenderness. The doctor may also examine the groin and abdomen and might ask the patient to cough, which can help detect hernias.
If needed, additional diagnostic tests may be ordered. An ultrasound is a common non-invasive imaging technique used to visualize internal structures of the scrotum and can help identify cysts, fluid collections, or masses. Blood tests may check for infection, inflammation, or tumor markers. A urinalysis, examining a urine sample, can detect infections or other urinary tract issues contributing to testicular symptoms.
Common Conditions Identified
A medical examination can identify various testicular conditions.
- Testicular cancer, though rare, is the most common cancer in males aged 15 to 35, often presenting as a painless lump or swelling.
- Epididymitis, an inflammation of the coiled tube behind the testicle, and orchitis, an inflammation of the testicle itself, often cause pain and swelling, sometimes due to bacterial or viral infections.
- Hydrocele involves a fluid-filled sac around the testicle, causing swelling that is usually painless but can cause discomfort if large.
- Varicocele refers to enlarged veins within the scrotum, which may feel like a “bag of worms” and can sometimes cause a dull ache or impact fertility.
- A spermatocele, or epididymal cyst, is a benign fluid-filled sac that develops from the epididymis and is typically painless.
- Inguinal hernias occur when tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, potentially extending into the scrotum and causing pain or swelling.
- Testicular torsion is a medical emergency where the spermatic cord twists, cutting off blood supply to the testicle, causing sudden, severe pain and requiring immediate surgical intervention to save the testicle.
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can also lead to inflammation and pain in the testicular area.