The best time is after a warm bath or shower, when the skin of the scrotum is relaxed.
Support the scrotum and testicles in the palm of your hand, to feel their weight. One testicle may be slightly larger than the other, but they should be about the same weight.
Hold a testicle between the thumb and fingers, with your thumb on top and first and second fingers underneath. Roll the testicle gently, feeling for any hard lumps. A normal testicle is oval in shape; it feels firm but not hard and is smooth with no lumps.
Feel the epididymis, a sausage-shaped lump at the top and back of each testicle. It will feel soft and perhaps slightly tender.
Feel the spermatic cords which lead upwards from the epididymis and behind the testicles. They are firm, smooth tubes.
Do the same with the other testicle.
A swollen, painful testicle that has come on gradually (perhaps over a few hours or days) is likely to be caused by an infection. This is called epididymo-
orchitis. It usually occurs on one side only, but sometimes both sides are affected together. The skin over the testicle may be red and shiny. There may be a discharge from the penis. The cause may be a virus (such as mumps) or various bacteria. It can follow a urine infection (see section on
cystitis in men), especially in older men. It can also be caused by sexually transmitted bacteria such as
chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
