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It is important to note that it is best to examine your testis with your hands and not rely on your testis themselves giving you warning signs, such as pain, to let you know whether there is a problem. Often dangerous lumps that can occur on the testis give no pain or other symptom initially, and are only discovered by actually feeling them with your fingers.

Cancers are not the only cause of lumps or bumps in the testis. Commonly lumps or bumps to the testis are cysts, which are not dangerous. However, the only sure way to find out if a lump or bump is dangerous to your health is to get it checked out a soon as possible by a health care professional. You will not be wasting anyone's time.
 

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Penile Cancer

Cancer of the penis is very rare especially in anyone under the age of 60.  As with testicular cancer, early detection and treatment results in a high cure rate of this form of cancer.
If you notice any of the following, or anything you feel is of concern, you should seek the advice of a health care professional, such as your doctor, or at the Genito Urinary Medicine clinic:

A red velvety patch or patches on the penis
       A raw looking area which may also have a smelly discharge
       A wart like growth
       Swollen glands in the groin, which may be painless
 

Prostate Cancer

The prostate gland surrounds the outlet to the bladder through which the urethra passes on its way to the penis. In young men it is about the size of a walnut, but may get progressively bigger with age.  This can lead to difficulty in passing urine and in some men may be the result of prostate cancer. If caught early, this type of cancer can be treated successfully.  If you are young prostate cancer or problems with the prostate are rare.
Symptoms of problems with the prostate may include:

Difficulty in passing urine, dribbling of urine, reduced flow rate
Passing urine more often especially during the night.
Blood in the urine, or pain on passing urine.

If you develop any of these symptoms you should see your doctor or seek advice at the Genito Urinary Medicine clinic.  It should be noted that problems with passing urine and pain on passing urine can be caused by many other conditions and are not necessarily cancer.
 

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SEXUAL HEALTH MATTERS FOR MEN

Sexual health is not only to do with sexually transmitted diseases, fertility or the ability to have sex, but also to do with such aspects as sexual feelings and relationships.
For some, sexual feelings are to do with love and close relationships; to others sex and love are two totally separate acts.
Whatever your views are on sex, love or relationships it is important to feel good about yourself, with what you are doing, and to keep yourself safe.
Being safe means safe not only from the risks of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned  pregnancy, but also from the emotional risks that are involved, such as worry or regret.
Often the main problems that can occur with relationships are sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy. For more information on sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy see the pages on this site or click on one of the many links to other sites.
 

Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

Safer Sex.

Testicular Cancer.

Penile Cancer.

Prostate Cancer.proc

Basic Male Anatomy:

Man's penis

A. Bladder

B. Urethra

C. Testis

D. Scrotum

E. Epididymis

F. Rectum

G. Prostate

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's)

Anyone who is sexually active (has sex) can be at risk of catching an STD. The risks can be reduced by the proper use of condoms and having fewer sexual partners.

Signs and symptoms that you may have caught an STD can be varied. Some STD's may produce no obvious signs or symptoms at all.  If you have had unprotected sex and are worried that you may have been at risk of acquiring an STD the only sure way of knowing is to make an appointment with the GU Medicine Clinic. You can make an appointment yourself. You don't need to be referred by your doctor.

Clinics offer check ups for all STD's. Some results of the tests performed will be available right away; some make take a few days.  All treatments in these clinics are free and all records of your visit are regarded as highly confidential No one outside the clinic will know of your visit; not even your own doctor. Contact with other health care professionals outside the clinic may be suggested as part of your care, and will only take place with your consent.

See the Genito Urinary Medicine and Sexually Transmitted Diseases pages on this web site for more information.

Common signs and symptoms of an STD can be one or any of the following:

Unusual discharge or fluid coming from the penis, which may be clear, or coloured gray, yellow or green. It may smell unusual.

    Pain, or a burning sensation when passing urine/peeing.

    Having to pass urine more often.

    Soreness or aching in the testicles/scrotum.

    Itching, rashes, lumps, blisters or pain anywhere in the genital area.

Symptoms occuring in your current partner, or previous sexual partners

If any of these signs or symptoms occur, it is important to get yourself checked out as soon as you can. Don't wait for things to go away themselves as some conditions can become worse and harder to treat. Others may seem to disappear but can still be present causing unseen damage as well as remaining infectious to others.
 
 

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Safer Sex

Although not100% reliable, condoms offer protection from Sexually Transmittable Diseases (STD’s), including HIV, and can prevent pregnancy.

Safer sex is any sex that does not allow a partners blood, semen, or vaginal fluid to enter the other partners body.
The risk of transmitting conditions such as HIV, from an infected to an uninfected partner, becomes greater the more times someone has sex without a condom. This risk may also increase if more than one STD is present.
 

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Testicular Cancer

Of the cancers that occur in young men testicular cancers are common.  If discovered early, treatment has a good chance of success, so it is important for all young men to examine their testis on a regular basis, (say at least once a month), for any changes in size shape or feel.

It may take some time and practice for you to become aware of what is normal for yourself but is worth persisting.

Should an abnormality occur, the chances of detecting it will increase as you become more practiced and adept at self-examination.

Examining your own testis is best done after you've had a warm bath or shower, as the skin of the scrotum will become more relaxed and loose, and the testis will hang lower.

 

Self Examination

To examine your testis do the following:

While standing support the testicle in the palm of your hand and check the size and weight of each testicle. It is normal for one testicle to hang lower than the other, but they both should be the same size and weight. A slight variation in size is  not unusual.

Next examine each testicle by feeling it between your thumb and fingers. Gently role the testicle between your thumb and fingers (Fig. a). They should feel smooth, except for the lumpy tissue lying at the back of the testicle (called the epididymis) (Fig. b).

Feel any lumps, swellings or hard areas to the testicle. If there are any present they may be abnormal, and you will need to get checked by your doctor or at the Genito Urinary Medicine clinic. Also look out for other signs which you will need to get checked out, such as a dull ache in the groin, heaviness in the scrotum or pain in the testicles.
It is a good idea to compare one testicle with the other, as finding the same abnormality in both testicles is unlikely.

testicular self examination