3 Ways to Perform a Testicular Exam

1. The Best Time to Perform the Self-Exam

Dermatologists recommend that you perform the testicular self-exam while you're taking a warm bath, under the shower or just getting out of the tub. Exposure to warmth and moisture will make your scrotal skin more relaxed and accessible, making a thorough inspection easier.

2. Practice Proper Technique

Perform the self-exam one testicle at a time. Dealing with a single uniform surface assures you more accuracy and thoroughness. Take your testicle with both hands, placing the thumbs at the top, near the base of the penis. Grip the back of the testicle gently using both your middle finger and your index finger. Exert gentle pressure to roll your testicle by pushing your thumb and fingers towards each other.

If you have the right grip, you'll feel the sperm-holding chamber in your testicle called the epididymis, and this is how a healthy, proper testicle lump feels. Run your fingers closely over the surface of your scrotum, checking for lumps. It's normal for ingrown hairs that look like white bumps to be present. You're checking for lumps that don't go away over time and are discolored, irregularly shaped, shiny or painful to touch.

3. Follow up With Your Physician

If you find any lumps or notice discoloration or swelling of your testicles, it's better to err on the side of caution and pay a visit to your doctor. The prognosis for testicular cancer, and all other forms of cancer, is much better when the disease is detected in an early stage. If you notice persistent, unexplained tenderness or soreness in your groin, you should also find out what's causing it. This may be a secondary signal that you are developing a cancerous tumor in your nether region.