I remember a young fellow, not long out of school, who came into the clinic looking a bit pale. He’d been doing a self-check – which is great, by the way! – and found something that felt… different. His mind, of course, jumped to the worst. It’s a common worry, and it highlights just how important it is to understand our bodies, especially parts we might not talk about every day, like the testicles.
So, what exactly is a testicle? Well, most men have two of them. Think of them as the body’s little factories for making sperm and important hormones. You might hear them called male gonads or testes (that’s the plural, one is a testis). And yes, there are plenty of casual names out there – ‘balls,’ ‘nuts,’ you name it. We doctors tend to stick with testicles or testes.
What Do Testicles Do, Anyway?
Their main jobs are pretty crucial: making sperm and producing sex hormones, particularly testosterone.
The Journey of Sperm
Making sperm is a delicate business. Your testicles like to be a bit cooler than the rest of your body, about two degrees Celsius less, to be precise. This cooler temperature is perfect for spermatogenesis – that’s the fancy word for sperm production. Inside each testis, there are around 700 tiny, coiled tubes called seminiferous tubules. It’s in these tubes that the magic happens.
It takes about 74 days for sperm cells to grow up. They get all the food and support they need right there. Once they’re almost ready, they move into the epididymis, another tube that sits along the back of the testicle. From the epididymis, sperm then travel through the vas deferens, which is the tube that eventually lets sperm leave your body through your penis. Quite a trip, eh?
Hormone Headquarters
And what about hormones? The testes are powerhouses for these too. In special cells called Leydig cells, they produce testosterone. That’s the hormone largely responsible for deeper voices, muscle development, and body hair in men. But that’s not all! They also make other important hormones:
- Inhibin B: This one gives us clues about testicular volume and sperm counts in adults.
- Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH): Really important when a baby boy is developing, helping form the male reproductive organs.
- Insulin-like factor 3 (ILF3): This hormone helps the testicles make their journey down into the scrotum before birth and supports their development there.
- Estradiol: Yes, men make some estradiol too! It plays a role in sperm production.
Getting to Know Your Testicles: Anatomy Basics
Where are these testicles hanging out? They’re located just underneath the penis, tucked away in a protective skin pouch called the scrotum. Usually, one is on the right, one on the left. Each testicle is connected to the inside of your body by something called the spermatic cord. This cord is like a lifeline, containing nerves, blood vessels, and that important vas deferens tube we talked about.
What Do They Look and Feel Like?
You can’t see your testicles directly because they’re inside the scrotum, but you can certainly feel their outline. People say they feel like large olives, or maybe small, smooth eggs. They should feel fairly firm.
How Big Are They?
Now, size can vary. There’s no one-size-fits-all here. In fact, it’s quite common for one testicle to be a little bigger than the other, or for one to hang a bit lower. That’s usually perfectly normal. An adult testicle might range from about half an inch (around 15 mL in volume) to one and a half inches (35 mL) or even more. Think bird egg to a small chicken egg – that’s the ballpark. If you notice a sudden change in size, though, that’s something to get checked.
Uh Oh: When Testicles Need Attention
Like any part of our body, sometimes things can go a bit off track with the testicles. It’s not something to panic about immediately, but it’s good to be aware of what could happen. Many issues are actually found in younger folks, but problems can pop up at any age.
Here are some conditions we sometimes see:
- Hypogonadism: This is when the testicles aren’t making enough of those crucial hormones, like testosterone.
- Klinefelter syndrome: A genetic condition where a male is born with an extra X chromosome (XXY instead of XY).
- Infertility: This can be a tough one. It might mean the testicles aren’t producing enough sperm, or any at all, or there’s an issue releasing the sperm.
- Cryptorchidism: You might know this as undescended testicles. It’s when one or both testicles don’t drop down into the scrotum as they should, usually before or shortly after birth.
- Epididymitis: Remember the epididymis, that tube at the back of the testicle? This is when it gets inflamed, often due to an infection. Ouch.
- Spermatocele: This is just a cyst, usually harmless and filled with fluid, that can form on the epididymis or testis.
- Testicular torsion: Okay, this one is a true medical emergency. It’s when a testicle twists around on its spermatic cord, cutting off its blood supply. If this happens, you need to get to a hospital, like, yesterday.
- Testicular cancer: It’s the most common cancer in young men, typically between 20 and 35. The good news? It’s often very treatable, especially when caught early.
And, of course, testicles can be injured from physical trauma – think sports injuries, accidents, or fights.
What to Watch Out For
So, how do you know if something’s up? Your body usually gives you clues. Please give me or your doctor a call if you notice:
- Pain in your scrotum or in the testicles themselves. It could be a dull ache or sharp.
- A new lump or swelling on one of your testicles.
- Any change in the color of the skin on your scrotum – like redness or bruising if there’s no injury.
- An unusual feeling of warmth in that area.
- Seeing blood in your semen.
- Pain down in your lower abdomen or groin.
Figuring Things Out & Getting Treatment
If you come to see me with any of those concerns, the first thing we’ll do is have a chat. I’ll ask about your medical history and what symptoms you’ve been experiencing. Then, depending on what we suspect, we might do a few things:
- A gentle physical examination of your testes and scrotum.
- Blood tests: These can tell us a lot about your hormone levels or check for infection markers.
- Urine tests: Useful for checking for infections.
- Sometimes, a simple light test (transillumination) can help us see if a lump is solid or just filled with fluid, like a cyst.
- An ultrasound of your scrotum and testicles gives us a really good picture of what’s going on inside, especially if there’s a lump.
Once we have a better idea, we can talk about treatment. It really depends on the specific issue:
- Sometimes, it’s simple self-care: things like over-the-counter pain relievers, using an ice pack for swelling, or wearing a scrotal support garment.
- Medications: This could be antibiotics if there’s an infection, or testosterone supplements if levels are low due to hypogonadism.
- Surgeries: For undescended testicles, there’s a procedure called orchiopexy to bring them down and fix them in the scrotum. If it’s testicular torsion, surgery is needed quickly to untwist the testicle. Cysts or tumors, whether benign (non-cancerous) or cancerous, might also need to be surgically removed (sometimes an orchiectomy, removal of the testicle).
- For cancer, treatments like radiation therapy or chemotherapy might be part of the plan.
We’ll always discuss all the options available for you, making sure you understand everything.
Keeping Your Testicles Healthy: Some Friendly Advice
You can do a few simple things to help keep your testicles in good shape:
- Wear protection: If you’re playing sports or doing anything where they might get hit, an athletic supporter (a jockstrap) is your best friend. Seriously.
- Keep clean: Good hygiene is key. Wash well and often. Clean underwear and clothes make a difference.
- Practice safer sex: This helps protect against infections that can sometimes affect the testicles or related structures.
- Examine your testicles regularly: Get to know what feels normal for you. Check them once a month, maybe in a warm shower when the scrotum is relaxed. Gently roll each testicle between your thumb and fingers. Feel for any changes like hard lumps, smooth rounded bumps, or changes in size or shape. If something seems off, don’t wait. Give your doctor a call. Early detection is so important, especially for things like testicular cancer.
One Testicle and Pregnancy: What’s the Deal?
I get asked this sometimes: can a man with only one testicle still father a child? The answer is usually yes! One healthy testicle can often produce enough sperm for pregnancy. If, for some reason like cancer or a severe injury, both testicles need to be removed (an orchiectomy), there are still options. Sometimes, men can bank sperm beforehand, which can then be used later for assisted reproduction.
Your Testicles: Key Takeaways
Alright, that was a lot of info! Here’s what I really want you to remember about your testicles:
- They are vital for making sperm and key male hormones like testosterone.
- It’s normal for one testicle to be slightly different in size or hang lower than the other.
- Pain, new lumps, or swelling in the testicles or scrotum always warrant a check-up with your doctor. Don’t delay!
- Testicular torsion (a twisted testicle) is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention. Time is critical.
- Regular self-exams are your best tool for early detection of issues like testicular cancer. Know your normal!
- Protect your testicles during sports and practice good hygiene and safer sex.
Taking care of your health, all parts of it, is so important. If you ever have any worries or questions about your testicles, please don’t hesitate to talk to us. You’re not alone in this, and we’re here to help.