The crown jewels, balls, nuts – we have certainly come up with a lot of somewhat creative names for the plum-sized testicles. So men obviously have no problem talking about testicles. But this relaxed attitude usually disappears when it comes to talking about them in relation to your own health.
The testicles deserve attention and an open conversation here, especially when it comes to detecting cancer early on. After all, they’re not only responsible for producing sperm, but are also involved in making testosterone too. Checking yourself regularly is a good way of recognising any unusual changes. It can save lives.
This website provides an overview of the structure of the testicles and how they work. You will also find out what signs indicate testicular cancer, how to spot them and what steps you can take if you suspect you might have it.
Structure
Contain approx. 200 testicular lobules. This is where the production of male sex hormones and the development of sperm begins.
Tightly-coiled, approx. 5 cm long tube. Located at the top of the back of each testicle and stores mature sperm.
Includes testicles, epididymis and blood vessels for supplying blood to the area. The vas deferens leads from the epididymis out of the scrotum to the urethra in the abdomen.
Function
The testicles are production centres – and not just for sperm. They are also hugely involved in the production of the male sex hormone testosterone. This is needed for a healthy libido as well as for the formation of bones, blood, muscles and for the metabolism.
However, the main task of the testicles is the production of male sperm cells. Primary sperm cells develop in the testicles, which then mature into functioning sperm in the epididymis. It takes around two months for a single spermatozoon to take on its tadpole-like shape and actually become functional.
To ensure that the testicles work as intended, nature has provided for this by arranging the testicles and epididymides in pairs within the body, so each individual testicle could also produce enough testosterone and sperm on its own.
Use and care
Men are not powerless when it comes to actively supporting the testicles in the fulfilment of their tasks.
- Avoid heat build-up: protecting the testicles from high temperatures increases the quality of the sperm. Switching off heated seats can help.
- Pay attention to nutrition: fruit and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, which increase sperm quality. A healthy diet also improves general well-being.
- Get enough exercise: just 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day is enough to prevent obesity. This increases testosterone levels, as the hormone is converted into the female hormone oestradiol in fatty tissue.
Sexual activity may reduce the risk of diseases such as testicular cancer since it promotes blood circulation and ensures that all organs, seminal ducts and ureters are “flushed out” during ejaculation. A “helping hand” is also useful for this!
Hands-on health
It’s possible to check whether your own testicles are actually healthy by regularly examining them. It’s easy, quick and painless. So there’s no reason not to, quite the opposite in fact since testicular cancer can be successfully treated in almost all cases if detected early enough.
If you regularly check your testicles yourself, you also get to know your own body better. If there are any unusual changes “down there”, it will be easier to notice them over time. This also allows you to tackle the treatment of other diseases at an early stage.
Checking yourself regularly also helps you to overcome any misguided embarrassment and fears that are mostly unfounded. We can assume both of these prevent many men from taking care of their own health, especially when it comes to their testicles. It’s time to grow a set – it could save your life!
Guide for checking yourself
Unusual changes to look out for
If recognised early, testicular cancer can be successfully treated in almost all cases. Thanks to its symptoms, it can often be reliably detected during a self-check.
 | Hardening/nodules on the soft testicular surface or swellings, … |
 | … changes in the weight or size of the testicles, … |
 | … an unexplained tugging sensation, a feeling of heaviness or pain in the testicles can be symptoms of cancer. |
If you experience symptoms, stay calm and seek medical advice. In most cases, this is a false alarm. But at least you can be sure by ruling it out.
Possibilities for early detection
Statutory health insurance benefits for the early detection of testicular cancer are not available yet. As men between the ages of 25 and 45 are particularly affected by testicular cancer, monthly self-checks are all the more important.
If you’re over 45 years old, you are entitled to a free annual prostate cancer screening examination. This test might also detect testicular cancer. It includes:
- Explanatory meeting with questions about personal medical history and any previous illnesses in the family
- Mostly painless and risk-free examination of the prostate via the rectum
- Checking the lymph nodes in the groin and the external genital organs such as the testicles
Good to know
- In most men, both testicles are different sizes and don’t hang at the same height. As long as the size and shape of one or both testicles don’t change suddenly, everything is perfectly normal.
- Exercise improves health, not enough exercise jeopardises it. The fact that some professional athletes have made headlines because of their cancer is probably not due to the sport itself, but due to how much they are in the public eye.
- Undescended testicles, low-hanging testicles, fertility problems or testicular cancer in the father or brothers – regular check-ups and medical counselling are particularly important for men with these risk factors.