Question: I’m 34 years old and ashamed to admit it, but I just discovered a lump on my testicle. It doesn’t hurt or cause any symptoms, but I’m concerned about what it is. What do I do?
A few weeks back, a young male patient came in with a minor problem that we promptly resolved. After we finished, he stopped and lingered. My inquiry was met with blushing and the following comment: “Oh, and I’m concerned about a lump.” “On my testicle,” she said quietly.
This was the primary purpose for his visit, but he couldn’t discuss it owing to its sensitivity. We spoke about it, I scheduled an ultrasound and blood testing, and it turned out to be a non-issue. But it showed how tough it may be to raise these issues.
Hear: It’s not easy to speak about sex in general, much alone the organs we sex with.
While benign causes of testicular lumps exist, it’s critical to rule out anything more severe. So, my first piece of advise is to contact your doctor and schedule an appointment.
The first thing to rule out in a young man with a new testicular lump is cancer. Testicular cancer is the most frequent malignancy among males aged 15 to 29. Early detection cures 80-90 percent of cases, therefore getting help immediately is critical.
Larger veins (varicocele), infection (epididymitis), inflammation (orchitis), or a hernia may also produce lumps in the testicles. Treatment options include surgery, antibiotics, or careful monitoring of benign lumps. If you’ve taken antibiotics and the lump continues, get medical attention.
Now that you’ve scheduled an appointment, consider these questions to assist your doctor understand what’s going on:
What is the age?
Do both or just one side?
3. Is it painful?
4. Has there been any recent damage or injury to the area?
5. Have you had surgery here?
It’s vital that you’ve observed and responded to this development. Visit Testicular Cancer Canada for self-exam techniques, support and information about testicular cancer.
As well as being the medical director of the Immigrant Women’s Health Centre, Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe is a staff physician at St. Michael’s Hospital and conducts an on-site clinic at the Women’s Habitat Shelter in Etobicoke.
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Please note that material given in the Ask a Health Expert section of The Globe and Mail is not meant to be relied upon nor to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Men Should See An Urologist If They Experience Any of These Signs
Any man who suspects he may be suffering from a urological problem, no matter how small the problem seems, should consult an Urologist right once so the problem may be properly diagnosed and treated.
A well-known truth is that males avoid going to the doctor unless they are experiencing an emergency situation. (According to an ancient proverb, “Women go to the doctor, men go to the emergency department.”) Even in that case, they’d prefer to avoid the whole encounter if at all possible, according to the survey.
Nonetheless, as men get older, it becomes even more critical that they maintain a vigilant eye on their physical well-being and pay attention to any warning signals that indicate something may be wrong. Minor annoyances, particularly when it comes to urologic disorders, may really be early warning signals of potentially life-threatening complications in the future.
A Urologist Should Be Consulted If You Have Any of These Signs
There are many reasons for men to visit with an Urologist, and if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed below, you should consult with one as well. A Urologist can accurately detect and diagnose the issue, as well as assess the severity of the condition and offer treatment recommendations. Recall that the sooner you detect a possible health problem, the greater your chances are of getting the issue under control before it becomes a serious problem.
Having an unpleasant discussion with an Urologist about erectile dysfunction is essential since the condition may lead to other health problems. When a man cannot obtain or keep an erect penis, he suffers from erectile dysfunction (ED). This condition not only impairs his sexual performance and intimacy, but it may also disclose problems such as vascular disease, hypertension, and renal failure. Despite the fact that many men find it uncomfortable to discuss this subject, it is critical to assess and treat any underlying problems as soon as they are identified and treated.
It is important to visit an Urologist as soon as possible if you see blood in your urine, since this may be an early warning sign of bladder or kidney cancer. Even if you only see blood in your urine on occasion, it is an indication that you have a medical problem that requires urgent treatment. Urine tests, x-rays or CT scans, and a cystoscopy are all part of an Urologist’s examination (using a fiberoptic scope to see inside the bladder).
3. Testicular discomfort, lumps, or masses: If testicular pain persists for more than two weeks and does not subside, it is necessary to consult with an Urologist for further evaluation. Because of the possibility of testicular cancer, any lumps, hardness, or nodules on the testicles should be checked by a urologic expert as soon as possible. Fortunately, when detected early, cancer of the testicles is one of the most treatable types of cancer available.
4. Abnormal prostate exam: Men over the age of 40 are recommended to have their prostates examined at least once a year by the same doctor, if at all feasible. As a result, any alterations may be followed more carefully, increasing the likelihood of early identification of prostate cancer in the future. If any hardness, tiny nodules, or abnormalities are seen, you should be sent to an Urologist for further evaluation to rule out any potentially severe issues. Keep in mind that, if detected early, prostate cancer has a good cure rate.
Fifth, trouble urinating may be unpleasant, despite the fact that it is not a life-threatening condition. A frequent sign of growing older is an enlarged prostate, which is usually the source of this condition. To the good news, this disease may be treated with medicines that can alleviate the symptoms or even reduce the prostate to make urinating more comfortable.
6. Urination that is painful: Infections may develop in any region of the urinary system, with bacteria being the most common cause. A Urologist can identify the source of such an infection and suggest the most appropriate therapy for the patient.
7. Frequent urination or the need to pee on a regular basis: If incontinence (leaking urine) starts abruptly or if it interferes with your daily activities, it is time to visit your Urologist. 8. It is quite common to suffer from urinary incontinence, which may generally be controlled or treated effectively.
8. An high or changing level of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA): The PSA test is often used to identify early prostate cancer in men who are at risk. A relatively low amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is usually detected in the bloodstream in healthy men. When there is a shift or an increase in the amount of PSA in the blood, an Urologist can identify what is causing the increase.
9th, a kidney problem should be detected on an X-ray and you should be sent to an Urologist for further evaluation.
10. Infertility: A male-related problem accounts for 25 percent of all infertility problems, according to research. It is recommended that you get a concurrent assessment by an Urologist while your spouse is being examined.
Your urologist is a member of your healthcare team.
Your urologist should be a component of your entire healthcare management system, just as essential as excellent diet and regular exercise. Afraid to talk about your urologic problems? It’s important that you and your urologist be familiar with each other so that you can work together to reach the highest possible level of health.