How Do You Properly Examine Yourself ?

[Leemac1999]

I've heard that testicular cancer is most common between the ages of 15 and 30 , so being 16 I was wondering how do I examine my nuts to make sure of any signs of testicular cancer. I've noticed on my left nut the tubes behind it is very large. It's kinda sensitive to the touch and when I pull my stomach in and pull up my sack it also hurts.

[Seahawks15]

You would examine each testicle by rolling it around in your fingers to see if there's any lumps,make sure you examine both.The tubes behind them are your vas deferens and they deliver the semen to your urethra when you ejaculate,they are meant to be large.Your scrotum should be pretty sensitive and it hurts to pull it like that because it's not normal to do that and your brain sent you a signal to tell you that it could damage you,called pain.

[Hermes]

See the UK NHS Information on Testicular Self Examination (http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/878.aspx?CategoryID=61&SubCategoryID=618).

Pulling on the scrotum does not seem to be part of the examination and pain doing so would not be cause for alarm. The epididymitis may feel strange at first but once you're aware it is there you are more looking for changes between each time you do the examination, of difference between one testicle and the other, than for anything that feels odd on the first examination.

[Jaffe]

Just roll the testicles between you fingers. They should be smooth. And the epididimis (the larger thing on one side of your testicle) and the vas deferens, especially, SHOULD be sensitive. Not real painful to touch, but sensitive. Painful if you pull on it or crush it, so be gentle when checking your testicles. You should check the rest of the skin of your scrotum too, to feel for lumps in the skin, and the spot right behind the scrotum, where it attaches to your body. When checking your scrotum, you'll probably be able to feel the vas deference (tube-like thing) through the skin. Be careful not to crush it, cause that does hurt.

If the pain you describe is intense when you are gently holding or fondling your scrotum/testicles, like when checking for lumps, you should see a doctor. But rough handling does cause pain, and as Chickenlover13 said, that pain means stop doing it!

[pjones]

Just roll the testicles between you fingers. They should be smooth. And the epididimis (the larger thing on one side of your testicle) and the vas deferens, especially, SHOULD be sensitive. Not real painful to touch, but sensitive. Painful if you pull on it or crush it, so be gentle when checking your testicles. You should check the rest of the skin of your scrotum too, to feel for lumps in the skin, and the spot right behind the scrotum, where it attaches to your body. When checking your scrotum, you'll probably be able to feel the vas deference (tube-like thing) through the skin. Be careful not to crush it, cause that does hurt.

If the pain you describe is intense when you are gently holding or fondling your scrotum/testicles, like when checking for lumps, you should see a doctor. But rough handling does cause pain, and as Chickenlover13 said, that pain means stop doing it!

and i was told the best time is during, or right after, a warm shower or bath so your scrotum is loose and your testicles hang freely. have been doing this for a couple of years now, never too early to start.

[Jaffe]

and i was told the best time is during, or right after, a warm shower or bath so your scrotum is loose and your testicles hang freely. have been doing this for a couple of years now, never too early to start.

Yeah Ive been told that too. I usually do it at night though, right before my bedtime j/o. You only have to do it every month or so anyway.

Times NOT to do it are when you have been in a cold pool, or anytime that shrinkage has set in. And not right after sex or a masturbation session, because the scrotum is tight and the skin thicker. You have to be relaxed.

I wonder if all boys normally do this? To me, it was one of those things my parents taught me as a kid. But from what I have learned on VT, not many parents really teach their boys much about taking care of their genitals.
Leemac1999, we did not mean at all to cut you out of the convo.. its your thread! And you might be able to answer that question. Didnt your parents teach you to check for abnormalities when you were a kid? Is it something they don't know, or just don't want to talk about, or... ?

[Seahawks15]

I do it once a month at least and I taught myself to do it hearing about testicular cancer from the media and friends.

[basketball33]

I do it about once every 2 months.

[Leemac1999]

Yeah Ive been told that too. I usually do it at night though, right before my bedtime j/o. You only have to do it every month or so anyway.

Times NOT to do it are when you have been in a cold pool, or anytime that shrinkage has set in. And not right after sex or a masturbation session, because the scrotum is tight and the skin thicker. You have to be relaxed.

I wonder if all boys normally do this? To me, it was one of those things my parents taught me as a kid. But from what I have learned on VT, not many parents really teach their boys much about taking care of their genitals.
Leemac1999, we did not mean at all to cut you out of the convo.. its your thread! And you might be able to answer that question. Didnt your parents teach you to check for abnormalities when you were a kid? Is it something they don't know, or just don't want to talk about, or... ?

No my parents haven't told me about it , they didn't even tell me how to clean and wash my uncircumcised penis.

[Jaffe]

No my parents haven't told me about it , they didn't even tell me how to clean and wash my uncircumcised penis.

I'm just learning that what you describe is the norm. It was kind of a shock to me to find out parents don't just do this. But its not too late, at least you're learning it now, even if its from a forum instead of from parents. Good reason to be here, and good that you posted to ask.

[Bluebyrd]

I'm glad this thread exists. I've never really thought about it before but my mind is now at rest knowing that I'm clear.

[samm291]

now all of these are correct but only do it monthly and do it in the shower so it is clean

[Conor_x]

They say to do it at least once a week or if possible every day, just feel them and see if anything changes in size, lumps or anything sudden occurs x