Discover
What does a healthy testicle feel like?
You should check your testicles (also called testes or balls) regularly for any changes, lumps or swelling. Regular checks can help you get to know what is normal for you. But how and when should you check them? And how do you know if your testicles are healthy? I’ve put together a simple guide to remove the guesswork.
How often should I check my testicles?
It’s important to regularly check your testicles from puberty onwards. You should start checking yourself from the age of around 15 onwards. Carrying out self-checks regularly can help you to spot any problems, such as testicular cancer, earlier. This is when abnormal cells grow in your testicles. Testicular cancer is easier to treat the earlier it’s found. So, regular checks are recommended.
How do I check my testicles?
The best time to check your testicles for lumps or swelling is after a warm bath or shower. This is because it’s easier to check your balls when you are warm and relaxed. When checking your testicles:
- stand in front of a mirror, if possible
- hold your balls in your palm
- roll each testicle between your finger and thumb
- gently feel the surface of each ball
How should my testicles look and feel?
A healthy testicle has a firm and smooth surface, but doesn’t feel hard.
You might have one testicle slightly bigger than the other. This is normal. It’s also normal for one testicle to hang slightly lower than your other one. But any big differences between them should be checked out by your doctor.
When carrying out your check, you might feel something tube-like behind each ball. This is called the epididymis, and it’s a tube that carries sperm to each testicle.
What should I look for when checking my testicles?
When checking yourself, visit your doctor if you find:
- lumps or swelling
- pain
- hardness
- one testicle noticeably different from the other
- an increase in the size of one testicle
You should also see your doctor if you experience a heavy feeling in your testicles, a dull ache, or if you notice anything else unusual.
Will my testicles change as I get older?
As you get older, you might start to notice that your testicles get slightly smaller. As you age, you produce less of a hormone called testosterone. This can cause your testicles to reduce in size. This is normal, and is part of the natural changes that happen in our bodies as we get older.
How can I look after my testicles?
Regular self-checks are an important way to look after your testicles, but there are also other things you can do.
Protect your testicles when playing sport as this can help to reduce your risk of injury. Testicle injuries are painful and can also affect your fertility. You can wear a plastic protective cup (known as a jockstrap and cup) over your genitals during sport to help prevent this.
Research has also shown that smoking can have a negative impact on your fertility. So, if you smoke, try quitting as another way to look after your testicles.
There are also studies suggesting a link between diet and sperm quality. So, it’s important to eat a varied and balanced diet if you can, that contains lots of vitamins and minerals. This can help to keep your testicles healthy.
What should I do if I feel a lump or swelling in my testicle?
If you notice any unusual changes in your testicles, such as a lump or swelling, contact your GP. But, try not to worry as lumps are often caused by things that aren’t testicular cancer. Lumps can also be a sign of a hernia, cyst or infection. Your doctor can check your testicles and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
If you feel nervous or uncomfortable about visiting your doctor, you could ask:
- to be examined by a doctor of the same gender
- for someone you trust to come with you for support
- for a chaperone (someone to be in the room with you and the doctor during your examination)
Remember that your doctor has performed lots of testicular exams before, so don’t feel embarrassed.
Protect your health and make testicle checks part of your normal routine. It’s always better to get checked if you’re worried that something isn’t right.
Becoming unwell or developing an injury can be disruptive to our busy lives; which is why our health insurance aims to help you get back on your feet sooner rather than later, so you can get back to doing the things you enjoy.
-
Sources Sources
- How to check for testicular cancer. Macmillan cancer support. Macmillan.org.uk. Last reviewed 31 August 2018.
- Cancer Research UK. What is testicular cancer? Cancerresearchuk.org. Last reviewed 6 February 2022. Accessed 22 September 2022.
- The British Association of Urological Surgeons. Testicular Lump. baus.org.uk. Accessed 22 September 2022.
- Gunes S, Hekim GN, Arslan MA, Asci R. Effects of aging on the male reproductive system. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2016 Apr;33(4):441-54. DOI: 10.1007/s10815-016-0663-y
- Freehill MT, Gorbachinsky I, Lavender JD, Davis RL 3rd, Mannava S. Presumed testicular rupture during a college baseball game: a case report and review of the literature for on-field recognition and management. Sports Health. 2015 Mar;7(2):177-80. DOI: 10.1177/1941738114537786.
- British Journal of Urology International. British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS)consensus document for the management of male genital emergencies - testicular trauma. Baus.org.uk. 2018. Accessed September 2022.
- The British Association of Urological Surgeons. Fertility problems. Accessed September 2022. Baus.org.uk.
- Durairajanayagam D. Lifestyle causes of male infertility. Arab J Urol. 2018 Feb 13;16(1):10-20. DOI: 10.1016/j.aju.2017.12.004.
- Macmillan. How to check your balls (testicles) www.macmillan.org.uk. Produced March 2020. Accessed 22 September 2022.
- General Medical Council. Intimate examinations and chaperones. Published March 2013. gmc-uk.org.
About our health information
At Bupa we produce a wealth of free health information for you and your family. This is because we believe that trustworthy information is essential in helping you make better decisions about your health and wellbeing.
Our information has been awarded the PIF TICK for trustworthy health information. It also follows the principles of the The Information Standard.
Did you find our advice helpful?
We’d love to hear what you think. Our short survey takes just a few minutes to complete and helps us to keep improving our healthy lifestyle articles.
Legal disclaimer
This information was published by Bupa's Health Content Team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been reviewed by appropriate medical or clinical professionals and deemed accurate on the date of review. Photos are only for illustrative purposes and do not reflect every presentation of a condition.
Any information about a treatment or procedure is generic, and does not necessarily describe that treatment or procedure as delivered by Bupa or its associated providers.
The information contained on this page and in any third party websites referred to on this page is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice nor is it intended to be for medical diagnosis or treatment. Third party websites are not owned or controlled by Bupa and any individual may be able to access and post messages on them. Bupa is not responsible for the content or availability of these third party websites. We do not accept advertising on this page.
