The testicles should feel smooth, without any lumps or bumps, and firm but not hard. You may feel a soft tube at the back of each testicle, which is called the epididymis. If you notice any changes or anything unusual about your testicles, you should see a GP.
Most testicular lumps and swellings are caused by benign (non-cancerous) conditions, although occasionally they can be a symptom of testicular cancer. It's important to see your GP if you notice a lump or swelling in one of your testicles so they can try to identify the cause and arrange any further tests if necessary.
Your testicles should feel firm but not hard if you give them a gentle squeeze. When you feel the rest of your scrotum and its contents, you'll come across the epididymis on the underside of the scrotum. The epididymis lies at the back of each testicle and it feels like a thin, coiled tube.
Each testicle feels like a smooth, firm egg. Adult testicles range in size from about 15 mL (similar to a bird egg) to 35 mL (similar to a small chicken egg). One testicle may be slightly larger than the other. Commonly, one testicle hangs lower than the other.
All males have a cremaster muscle (a thin pouch-like muscle in which a testicle rests). When the cremaster muscle contracts (tightens), it pulls the testicle upward toward the body; this is known as the cremasteric reflex. The cremasteric reflex is brought on by such things as cold, touch, and anxiety.
The testicles should feel smooth, without any lumps or bumps, and firm but not hard. You may feel a soft tube at the back of each testicle, which is called the epididymis. If you notice any changes or anything unusual about your testicles, you should see a GP.
They also appear to change shape and size as the scotum reacts to pull them up into the body and to let them hang low again. There's more on how this works below. When the penis is aroused this also has the effect of making the balls a bit tighter. It's thought that this is to do with the cremaster muscle (see below).
Genetics might play a role in having dry skin, but other external factors include weather changes, over-washing or scrubbing, allergies, and irritation. Just like any other body part, the skin on your balls can become dry and irritated, particularly if you're prone to dry skin to begin with.
Symptoms and Causes
Severe pain in your scrotum (the sac that holds your testicles). Bruising in your scrotum. Swelling in your scrotum. Pain and discomfort in your lower abdomen.
Most adult males have two testicles, and each typically measures around 4 x 3 x 2 centimeters (cm). However, testicle size can vary. It is also common to have one testicle that is smaller than the other.
Before birth, a baby boy's testes (testicles) develop inside the abdomen. Closer to delivery, these organs travel through a canal in the groin. When all goes as it should, the testicles then fall into place in the scrotum, the bag of skin beneath the penis.
Most lumps are soft and fluid-filled and may make your scrotum look a little swollen; these are usually harmless and often go away without treatment. Some lumps are solid and may feel attached to one of your testicles. Harder lumps can be a sign of something more serious.
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 testicle.
Over time, testicles develop wrinkles due to changing temperatures - when it's warmer, the scrotum relaxes, and in colder conditions they contract.
There is no specific frequency with which a man should ejaculate. There is no solid evidence that failure to ejaculate causes health problems. However, ejaculating frequently can reduce the man's risk of getting prostate cancer. Ejacu-lation can be through having sex or masturbating a few times a day.
Some studies suggest that moderate ejaculation (2–4 times per week) is associated with a lower prostate cancer risk. However, ejaculating more often doesn't mean your cancer risk drops even more.
Testicular volume rapidly increases during puberty and peaks at age 30 years. Subsequently, the volume of the testes stabilizes in a plateau-like manner until age 60 years. After age 60 years, this study shows that testicular volume decreases significantly.
Even in regular, comfortable conditions your balls can stick to your leg. When times get hot or you are doing an activity you are even more prone to this problem because of sweat and heat. Standard underwear doesn't help combat this issue at all, they just make it worse because they push you between your legs.
An overactive muscle causes a testicle to become a retractile testicle. The cremaster muscle is a thin pouch-like muscle in which a testicle rests. When the cremaster muscle contracts, it pulls the testicle up toward the body.
The causes of small testes are either congenital or acquired. Chromosomal abnormalities such as primary and secondary hypogonadism induce testicular underdevelopment [2]. Klinefelter syndrome is the most common cause of primary hypogonadism in men [2].