The testicles are essentially a couple of small organs that are located behind the penis is a sac – known as the scrotum, and play a major role in the male reproductive system. Once a boy reached the age of puberty, these organs are responsible for the creation of sperm which fertilizes the female egg once ejaculated into a female after sexual intercourse. Because of the fact that there are a number of conditions that commonly affect these organs that do not show up any prominent symptoms, it is always a good idea to conduct a self check once in a way and be able to identify if anything has changed recently. It is best to do so just after a warm shower, when the skin around the scrotum is in a state of relaxation. Hold each testicle with the thumb on top and the fingers underneath before rolling the testicle gently – feeling for any hard lumps. The sausage shaped lump at the top and back of each testicle is known as the epididymis and should be checked as well. This portion will feel very soft and tender.
While there are a number of conditions that affect the testicles, there is a group of four that are significantly more common and serious. Testicular cancer, for example, is almost rampant and recent studies show that there are about 7500 new diagnosis of the condition every year in the United States of America itself. The condition is known to predominantly affect men between the ages of 15 and 40, while most common around the mid twenties. While the specific cause of the condition is unknown, hereditary and other conditions like an undescended testicle play a role in increasing the risk levels. Testicular torsion is one of the most painful testicle affecting conditions and is the result of the spermatic cord twisting enough to cut off any blood circulation to the testicle. If the cord remains twisted for a long period of time, the testicles can end up being severely damaged. Some of the most common symptoms associated with this condition include vomiting, fever and nausea. Hydrocele is a condition characterized by the build up of fluid around the scrotum and is predominantly known to affect adults. The most common cause of this condition happens to be a bacterial or viral infection, but it can also be the result of sexual contact or a vasectomy. Epididymitis is the inflammation of the epididymis, which is responsible for the transport of the sperm from the testicle to the penis and results in significant pain and fever. The condition is known to be more common amongst men in their early or mid twenties.