If the cyst gets bigger, or painful, make sure you see your doctor. Watch our short video to learn how to check your testicles for any changes through a self-testicular examination. Each month we release two email newsletters — one written for men, family and friends, and another for health professionals. You are here News. What are testicles? What should your testicles feel like? What shape and size should your testicles be?
What can cause testicles to look and feel different to how they should? Your testicles look or feel swollen Your testicles may become swollen or enlarged due to a bacterial infection like orchitis , testicular cancer or testicular torsion.
Your scrotum looks or feels veiny If your scrotum looks veiny usually on the left-hand side , it may be caused by a condition called varicocele. Your epididymis the thin tube connected to your testicles looks swollen If your epididymis becomes swollen and tender, you may have a condition called epididymitis.
How to make sure your testicles are healthy Watch our short video to learn how to check your testicles for any changes through a self-testicular examination. Keywords: Sexual health. General health. Human body Scrotum Scrotum Overview. Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. Anatomy and function Scrotum diagram Scrotum conditions Scrotum condition symptoms Health tips What is the scrotum?
Anatomy and function of the scrotum. Each side of the scrotum usually consists of a: Testicle. Each testicle produces hormones, the main one being testosterone, with the help of parts of the brain like the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
They also contain tubules and cells that produce sperm, or spermatozoa. Sperm are transferred from the testicle to the epididymis. An epididymis is located on the top of each testicle.
Each epididymis is a tightly coiled tube. The epididymis also absorbs extra fluid secreted by the testicle to help move sperm through the reproductive tract. Spermatic cord. Each spermatic cord contains blood vessels, nerves, lymph vessels, and a tube called the vas deferens. This tube moves sperm out of the epididymis into ejaculatory ducts. The blood vessels maintain the blood supply for the testicle, vas deferens, and cremaster muscle.
The nerves transport information from the spinal cord to and from the scrotum, testicles, and cremaster muscle. Cremaster muscle. Each cremaster muscle surrounds one of the testicles and its spermatic cord. The muscle helps to move the testicle toward and away from the body to maintain the ideal temperature for sperm production.
This is why the scrotum hangs lower in warm conditions and closer to the body in cold weather. Scrotum diagram. Explore the interactive 3-D diagram below to learn more about the scrotum. What conditions affect the scrotum? Inguinal hernia An inguinal hernia happens when part of your small intestine pokes through an opening in your abdominal wall into your scrotum.
Hydrocele A hydrocele happens when excess fluid builds up in the cavities around one of your testicles. Varicocele A varicocele is a swollen collection of veins in your scrotum.
Spermatocele A spermatocele , or spermatic cyst, happens when a fluid-filled sac forms in the epididymis. Larger, more painful spermatoceles may need to be removed with surgery. Testicular torsion Testicular torsion means that your testicle has rotated in the scrotum. Symptoms of testicular torsion include: severe scrotum pain and swelling testicle swelling lower abdomen pain nausea and vomiting testicle feeling higher or out of place urinating more than usual Seek emergency medical care for any of these symptoms.
Several things may increase the risk of testicular torsion, including: injury to the scrotum exercising too long or hard free movement of the testicle in the scrotum caused by a genetic condition Testicular torsion occurs more frequently in young children, teens, and young adults.
Epididymitis Epididymitis happens when the epididymis becomes infected or inflamed. Symptoms of epididymitis can include: scrotum or testicle pain or tenderness warmness or redness in your scrotum unusual fluid coming from your penis frequent or painful urination bloody semen fever Depending on the type of infection, you may need to take antibiotics or antiviral medication.
Orchitis Orchitis refers to an infected or inflamed testicle. Orchitis symptoms include: testicular pain and tenderness swollen testicle fever nausea vomiting feeling significantly ill Treatment depends on the cause. Testicular cancer Testicular cancer happens when cells abnormally multiply within the tissue of your testicles. Symptoms of testicular cancer can include: lump in your testicle feeling of scrotum heaviness fluid buildup in your scrotum testicular pain abdomen or back pain swollen or tender breast tissue Treatment depends on your stage of cancer.
What are common symptoms of a scrotum condition? See your doctor if you notice any of the following common symptoms in your scrotum, testicles, or genital area: mild or severe pain that lasts a long time groin pain with activity swollen areas redness, rashes, or sores feeling of heaviness tender areas severe pain in your scrotum that happens without warning urinating more than usual blood in your urine or semen discharge or drainage from the penis Also see your doctor if you notice pain in your lower abdomen or back, or extra breast tissue growth.
Tips for a healthy scrotum. Here are some lifestyle tips for keeping your scrotum in good health: Do a monthly testicular self-exam. Roll each testicle around in your scrotum using your fingers. Check for lumps and swollen or tender areas. Bathe regularly. Take a shower or bath regularly to keep your entire genital area clean.
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. Gently roll one testicle using the fingers and thumbs of both hands. Feel along the underside of the scrotum to find the epididymis that sits at the back of the testicle. It should feel like a little bunch of tightly curled tubes. Perform TSE on the other testicle. Symptoms of testicular cancer and testicular self-examination Symptoms of testicular cancer include a testicular lump that is usually painless about one in 10 are painful , a sensation of heaviness in the scrotum, and a persistent ache in the affected testicle.
Take notice of anything unusual, such as: a lump or swelling in or on the testicle itself change in testicular size change in testicular shape change in the consistency or feel of the testicle. Some non-cancerous conditions that may affect the testicles include: cyst — an abnormal but harmless collection of fluid varicocele — varicose veins.
About 10 to 15 per cent of men have varicose veins of the scrotum haematocele — a blood clot caused by trauma or injury to the testicles or scrotum epididymo-orchitis — infection of the epididymis, testicle or both that causes inflammation and pain.
Treatment is usually antibiotics testicular torsion — the cord that attaches the testicle to the body twists and cuts off the blood supply. This extremely painful condition needs urgent medical attention undescended testicles — either one or both testicles are missing from the scrotum and are lodged instead inside the lower abdomen.
Premature and low-weight newborn boys are most prone to undescended testicles. This condition is known to increase the chance of testicular cancer later in life and is also linked to infertility. Testicular cancer , , Andrology Australia. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all reproductive system - male.
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