Why does the doctor have to touch my balls? (2024)

Why does the doctor have to touch my balls?

A testicular exam can make a guy feel a bit awkward or embarrassed, but just like checking a person's blood pressure, it's a normal part of a physical exam. The doctor checks the testicl*s and the area around them to make sure everything is healthy and that a guy doesn't have any problems, like a hernia.

What do doctors do when they touch your balls?

Your doctor should examine your testicl*s at least once a year. He or she will grasp one testicl* at a time, rolling it gently between the thumb and first finger to feel for lumps. The doctor will also feel if the testicl* is hardened or enlarged. The doctor will teach you how to do testicular self-exams.

Does the doctor touch your balls during a sports physical?

For boys, during the physical examination, the medical doctor will examine the genitals, including the penis, and testicl*s. He or she may ask the participant to cough while examining the scrotum to check for hernias.

Is it mandatory to have a doctor check your balls?

There is no recommendation that a testicular exam should be part of your annual physical exam. But your doctor may suggest that you do a self-exam on a regular basis. Some doctors recommend checking your testicl*s once a month.

What age do they stop checking your balls?

The testicular exam should begin at age 15 and continue through age 40. It is important to do the exam every month in order to find any changes.

Why do doctors hold your balls and make you cough?

An inguinal hernia is when part of the intestine, or bowel, pushes down inside the scrotum from the abdomen. If a person has a hernia, this part of the bowel can become trapped inside the scrotum, causing serious problems. The doctor checks for this by having the male cough while feeling inside the scrotal sac.

What age do doctors look at your private areas?

Doctors recommend yearly checkups that focus on the female reproductive system, starting between the ages of 13 and 15. Often called well-woman visits, they can catch small issues before they become big ones.

Why is my testicl* hard as a rock?

Calcifications: These are small structures in the testicl* or along the main sperm pipeline (vas) can become hard, almost rock like. These are always painless and rarely need to be removed.

Can a doctor touch your private area during a physical?

In a medical setting, looking at and touching the genitals generally isn't sexual abuse because the doctor is doing both for the patient's benefit and not for his or her own gratification, nurse practitioner Powell stresses.

What happens at a physical for a boy 12 years old?

The doctor or nurse will also check your child's body.

Measure height and weight and figure out your child's body mass index (BMI) Check your child's blood pressure. Check your child's vision and hearing. Check your child's body parts (this is called a physical exam)

Should I shave before a testicular exam?

No, it is not required to shave for a testicular ultrasound. However, shaving can help in easy accessibility, which may be beneficial on the whole.

Why does my testicl* hurt when I touch it?

Common causes of testicl* pain include: Injury. Infection or swelling of the sperm ducts (epididymitis) or testicl*s (orchitis). Twisting of the testicl*s that can cut off the blood supply (testicular torsion).

What happens when your balls are full?

If your scrotum looks or feels like it's full of fluid on one or both sides, you may have a hydrocele. A hydrocele may be caused by inflammation or injury but it's not usually painful.

What if my balls haven t dropped at 16?

If the testicl*s don't drop into the scrotum, they may not function normally and produce healthy sperm. This can lead to infertility later in life. Males born with undescended testicl*s also have a higher risk of testicular cancer in adulthood.

Why do doctors check your balls as a kid?

Doctors check the testicl*s and the area around them to make sure everything is healthy and developing normally and that there are no problems, such as a hernia, a varicocele, or, in rare cases, a tumor.

Where do your balls go when it's cold?

Cold temperatures cause the scrotum and testicl*s to retreat up toward the body. A hot shower or high temperatures that cause your body temperature to increase will in turn cause your testicl*s to hang lower.

Can your testicl* go back up?

An overactive muscle causes a testicl* to become a retractile testicl*. The cremaster muscle is a thin pouch-like muscle in which a testicl* rests. When the cremaster muscle contracts, it pulls the testicl* up toward the body.

Do men prefer female doctors?

As patients get older, the majority tend to fall into the “no preference” category. However, for both men and women in the 18 – 24 age bracket, female doctors are preferred. In fact, as many as 44 percent report that they feel most comfortable when seeing a female physician.

What to do if a doctor touches you inappropriately?

Do doctors check down there?

Sometimes doctors do pelvic exams if they think there's a problem. For example, if a girl complains of heavy bleeding, missed periods, or discharge, the doctor will want to check for a cause. Otherwise, doctors don't recommend regular pelvic exams or Pap smears until a woman is 21 years old.

What age do doctors look at your breast?

You should have a clinical breast exam every one to three years starting at age 20 and every year starting at age 40. A clinical breast exam may be recommended more frequently if you have a strong family history of breast cancer.

Why do balls disappear when hard?

Causes. Each testicl* is attached to a muscle called the cremaster muscle. The cremaster muscle can contract inside the body causing the testicl* to be pulled in and out of the scrotum; this is called the cremasteric reflex. This is a normal reflex seen in all males.

Why do my balls feel Saggier?

The bottom line

Sagging is a built-in function of your scrotum that allows your testicl*s to produce healthy sperm. As you get older, this trait might become more noticeable as your skin naturally starts to lose elasticity.

Can sperm build up cause pain?

A spermatocele usually causes no signs or symptoms and might remain stable in size. If it becomes large enough, however, you might feel: Pain or discomfort in the affected testicl*.

Is it normal to get wet during a pelvic exam?

There is nothing wrong with you. Your body's natural response of lubrication in this particular case has nothing to do with whether you are aroused by your doctor or the examination itself. Also, some women lubricate more than others and that is normal too.