{"id":52993,"date":"2025-04-25T22:10:07","date_gmt":"2025-04-26T02:10:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hancockhealth.org\/mayo-health-library\/testicular-exam\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T12:13:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T17:13:38","slug":"testicular-exam","status":"publish","type":"mayo","link":"https:\/\/hancockhealth.apgar.digital\/fr\/mayo-health-library\/testicular-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"Testicular exam"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A testicular self-exam is an inspection of the appearance and feel of your testicles. You can do a testicular exam yourself, typically standing in front of a mirror.<\/p>\n

Routine testicular self-exams can give you a greater awareness of the condition of your testicles and help you detect changes. Self-exams can also alert you to potential testicular problems.<\/p>\n

If you detect lumps or other changes during a testicular self-exam, make an appointment with your doctor.<\/p>\n

Testicular self-exams help you learn how your testicles normally look and feel. Then you’re more likely to notice subtle changes.<\/p>\n

Changes in your testicles could be a sign of a common benign condition, such as an infection or a cyst, or a less common condition, such as testicular cancer.<\/p>\n

Who should consider regular testicular exams?<\/h3>\n

It’s not clear who should consider regular testicular self-exams. Though often promoted as a way to detect testicular cancer, testicular self-exams aren’t proved to reduce the risk of dying of the disease.<\/p>\n

Testicular cancer is a relatively uncommon type of cancer. It’s also highly treatable at all stages, so finding testicular cancer early doesn’t make a cure more likely.<\/p>\n

Doctors and medical organizations differ on their recommendations for testicular self-exams. If you’re concerned about your risk of testicular cancer, discuss the issue with your doctor. Together, you can decide whether regular testicular self-exams are right for you.<\/p>\n

Performing a testicular self-exam doesn’t pose any direct risks. However, if you notice something unusual that concerns you, the follow-up exams might lead to unnecessary worry and medical tests.<\/p>\n

For example, if you discover a suspicious lump, you might have tests to determine its cause. This could involve blood tests, ultrasound exams or a procedure to remove testicle tissue for examination (biopsy). If the lump is noncancerous (benign), you might feel that you’ve undergone an unnecessary invasive procedure.<\/p>\n

No special preparation is necessary to do a testicular self-exam.<\/p>\n

You might find a testicular self-exam is easier during or after a warm bath or shower. Heat relaxes the scrotum, making it easier for you to check for anything unusual.<\/p>\n

To do a testicular self-exam, stand unclothed in front of a mirror. Then:<\/p>\n