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Testicular Disorders
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Sexual Health Issues

Testicular Disorders

Because the testicles are vulnerable to injury, regular self-exams and protective gear during sports are essential for maintaining reproductive health.

Overview

Testicles, or testes, make male hormones and sperm. They are two egg-shaped organs inside the scrotum, the loose sac of skin behind the penis. It's easy to injure your testicles because they are not protected by bones or muscles. Men and boys should wear athletic supporters when they play sports.

Monitoring and Care

You should examine your testicles monthly and seek medical attention for lumps, redness, pain or other changes. Testicles can get inflamed or infected. They can also develop cancer. Testicular cancer is rare and highly treatable. It usually happens between the ages of 15 and 40.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Cryptorchidism (an undescended testicle at birth) increases the relative risk of developing testicular cancer later in life, even if the condition was surgically corrected (orchiopexy) during infancy. Early surgery improves fertility and makes monthly physical self-exams easier, but individuals with a history of an undescended testicle should remain vigilant with lifelong monthly testicular checks and inform their primary care physician.
Testicular enlargement can result from several benign conditions as well as malignancies. Common causes include a hydrocele (a painless buildup of fluid around the testicle), a varicocele (enlarged, dilated veins similar to varicose veins, often described as feeling like a bag of worms), an epididymal cyst (spermatocele), or infection (epididymo-orchitis). A painless, firm mass within the testicular tissue itself must always be evaluated by ultrasound to rule out testicular cancer.
Sudden, acute testicular pain is a medical emergency that must be evaluated in an emergency room immediately to rule out testicular torsion. Testicular torsion occurs when the testicle rotates, twisting the spermatic cord and cutting off its blood supply. If blood flow is not surgically restored within approximately six hours, the testicle can suffer permanent tissue necrosis and may need to be removed.
The best time to perform an exam is during or immediately after a warm shower, when the scrotal skin is relaxed. Support the scrotum with one hand and examine each testicle individually with the other. Roll the testicle gently between your thumbs and fingers, checking for pea-sized firm lumps, swelling, or changes in shape and firmness. Keep in mind that the epididymis—a soft, tube-like structure located at the back and top of each testicle—is normal anatomy and should not be mistaken for a tumor.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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