Self testing methods for male testicular health

The testiclesare a male specific organ that, although not large in size, plays a crucial role in the human body, such as reproduction, male characteristics (including long beard, protruding larynx, low voice, and robust body), as well as overall growth and development, material metabolism, etc. The testicles play a crucial role. Because of this, many people are extremely concerned about the testicles. In fact, whether the testicles are normal, besides going to the hospital for examination, self-examination can also be done regularly. To determine whether one's testicles are normal, one must first understand the normal size of the testicles at different ages. Babies and children born before the age of 12 typically have testicles that are in a relatively static developmental stage, typically measuring 1-4 milliliters. After the age of 12, men enter the "youth mobilization period" and their testicular volume rapidly increases. By around 18 years old, 60-70% of men have reached 16.5 milliliters or more. As adults, the testicular volume is 16-25 milliliters, with an average of 19.8 milliliters, slightly smaller than that of Caucasians and blacks. After the age of 60, men enter the stage of sexual aging and the testicular volume gradually decreases. After the age of 70, the testicular volume has mostly shrunk to below 16 milliliters. Based on the above normal values, as long as the size of their testicles is measured and compared with them, the size of their testicles can be preliminarily determined. Of course, when measuring testicular volume, one should also feel whether the surface of the testicles is smooth, whether the hardness is moderate, whether there is tenderness, etc. There are two methods: one is to compare the testicles with wooden testicular models of different volumes. Another method is to use a caliper to measure the length of the longitudinal, transverse, and sagittal diameters of the testicles and calculate their volume. When measuring the volume of the testicles, it is important to use the thumb and middle finger to squeeze the testicles under the scrotum, clearly exposing the volume contour of the testicles. After excluding the epididymis, comparisons and measurements should be made. Normal testicles are elastic entities. In the testes, the seminiferous tubules occupy the vast majority of space. If the development of the seminiferous tubules is poor, it can cause small testicles, such as congenital seminiferous tubule dysplasia syndrome, testicular atrophy caused by various inflammations, injuries, radiation, toxins, and varicocele. Testicular hydrocele, seminal vesicle, and testicular tumor can cause testicular enlargement.

There is an extremely simple method to measure the volume of the testicles by yourself: squeeze the testicles under the scrotum by hand to expose the volume contour of the testicles, then find a plastic object such as apples, pears, radishes, yams, potatoes, and flour balls, cut it into the same size as your testicles, and then measure the volume of this plastic object using the drainage method. The simplest way is to put half a cup of water in a teacup and make a mark at the water level. When the plastic object is placed in the water and the water level rises, use a syringe to extract the water from the raised part. The milliliters marked on the syringe are the volume of the testicles (see figure). The measurement results show that if the testicular volume of an adult is less than 10 milliliters, it is considered a small testicle, and if it is greater than 25 milliliters, it is considered a large testicle. Both of these are abnormal. If the testicular volume of an adult is less than 10 milliliters, it indicates that there is a problem with the testicles. The function of these testicles is mostly reduced, and patients may experience two situations: ① testicular dysfunction in producing sperm, with sperm count often less than 10 million per milliliter during semen examination (oligospermia) or no sperm in semen (azoospermia), resulting in extremely low fertility or loss of fertility. ② The endocrine function of the testicles is impaired, and the level of testosterone in the blood is very low, resulting in incomplete development of male secondary sexual characteristics such as sparse beard, pubic hair, and armpit hair. The pronunciation is childlike, and in severe cases, feminization may occur (such as breast development, delicate skin, increased subcutaneous fat, etc.). Some patients may experience decreased libido and sexual function