Using both hands, place your index and middle fingers under the testicle and your thumbs on top. Hold your penis out of the way and examine the skin of the scrotum. To do a testicular self-exam, stand unclothed in front of a mirror. Heat relaxes the scrotum, making it easier for you to check for anything unusual. You might find a testicular self-exam is easier during or after a warm bath or shower. No special preparation is necessary to do a testicular self-exam. If the lump is noncancerous (benign), you might feel that you've undergone an unnecessary invasive procedure. This could involve blood tests, ultrasound exams or a procedure to remove testicle tissue for examination (biopsy).
However, if you notice something unusual that concerns you, the follow-up exams might lead to unnecessary worry and medical tests.įor example, if you discover a suspicious lump, you might have tests to determine its cause. Performing a testicular self-exam doesn't pose any direct risks.
