THEGAYUK

Category: LUMPS AND BUMPS

  • ADVICE | I have achy balls, what should I do?

    ADVICE | I have achy balls, what should I do?

    Dear TGUK

    I sometimes get aches in my left ball. I’ve done a check for lumps but haven’t found anything odd – or unusual. There’s been no blood in my pee or cum.

    The pain is like a dull ache that goes from the bottom of my balls to the pit of my stomach. It doesn’t last very long. Because it doesn’t happen all the time I haven’t been to the doctors about it, but wondering if I should.

    Paddy, Dublin

    Hello Paddy

    Re-occurring pain anywhere is a reason to get checked and you should see your GP for an examination. It could be something entirely benign or something more serious although from what you say you don’t have other symptoms.

    These are:
    A new hard lump on the testicle
    Swelling or enlargement of a testicle
    An increase in firmness of a testicle
    An unusual difference between one testicle and the other

    However there is no harm in being on the safe side and ruling this out by visiting your GP or GUM clinic and if it is anything serious, the earlier it’s caught the more effective the treatment. If you get a significant acute pain that persists in either your testicle or abdomen, you should see your doctor for urgent review.

    The advice listed above is not intended to replace or take the place of that of your own doctor, GP or medical professional who knows your full medical history. If in any doubt make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

    Have you got a dilemma you’d like us to help you with? Click here to write to our team of experts.

    This article was first published in September 2016

  • What are these zits on my balls?

    Is it normal to have zits, spots or whiteheads on your scrotum?

    I have little whiteheads on my balls

     

    We asked Medical Director Dr Nitin Shori from Pharmacy2U whether finding little spots or zits on your ball bag is something to be concerned about.

    Dr Nitin told us, “You can get rashes on your testicles as you can any other part of your skin” and they are often caused by anything from blocked pores to allergies or heat irritation.

    “If anything, this area is a bit more sensitive so treat it with care,” Dr Nitin adds.

    Apparently, shaving can often cause spot like symptoms as could using a new body wash or new washing powder for your laundry – so if you have a break-out see if either of these could factors.

    Also, when the weather turns humid this can cause rashes through sweating.

    Dr Nitin says, “You need to ensure you wash regularly and properly dry yourself before dressing as rashes love moist, damp places! If you shave you need to keep the area clean afterwards”.

    But rashes can also be a sign of a sexually transmitted disease warns Dr Nitin, “if it (the zits) don’t clear up, do go and see your GP or local GUM clinic just to make sure. The majority of STDs can be treated quickly and efficiently the earlier they are diagnosed.

    “You can also get an STD testing kit online if you just want to put your mind at rest and rule that out”

     

    The advice listed above is not intended to replace or take the place of that of your own doctor, GP or medical professional who knows your full medical history. If in any doubt make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

    OTHER QUESTIONS: HIV | WILLY WONDERS | HOLES | DOING IT | STIs | LUMPS & BUMPS | BACK TO SEX CLINIC HOME PAGE

    Got a problem you’d like advice on?

  • How to check your balls for lumps and bumps

    Take the matter into your own hand…

    How to check your balls for lumps and bumps

    Finding lumps on your balls can be worrying, but there’s lots of stuff going on down there. Jackie Hall, Health at Hand operations manager at AXA PPP healthcare gives us some insight on how to check our balls for cancer.

    Testicular cancer is a male cancer which should be checked for regularly, and just like other cancers, it can be easier to treat if detected early. By regularly examining yourself, you are more likely to notice if anything changes or feels unusual so it is best to make this a part of your usual daily routine.

    The best time to check your testicles is after a warm shower, as this is when the skin is most relaxed, by following the below guide:

     

    Contrast and compare

    Rest your testicles in the palms of your hands and compare one testicle with the other for equal heaviness. A lot of men have one testicle which is larger than the other, or one that hangs lower than the other, so don’t worry if this is the case

    Roll them balls

    Place your fingers behind the scrotum and gently roll your testicle between your thumb and fingers

    Hard lumps?

    You are looking out for any hard lump or swelling – or any particular changes in shape. Make sure you check each testicle individually

    Does it seem normal?

    A normal testicle is oval shaped and feels firm, but not hard

    Heavy balls?

    Most cases of testicular cancer start with a painless lump in the testicle; though sometimes there can be pain or discomfort or a heavy feeling in the scrotum. Make sure you consult your GP as soon as possible if you experience any of these sensations, or if you find a lump

     

    If you experience any of the above symptoms for testicular cancer, make an appointment with your GP.

  • ADVICE | I’ve got lopsided balls, is this normal?

    Have you ever wondered if one ball hanging lower than the other way normal? Or why one is bigger than the other? Medical Director from Pharmacy2U, Dr Nitin Shori, answers your questions.

     

    Dear TGUK
    I’ve got one ball hanging lower than the other – I’ve not noticed whether other guys are the same because our school has separate shower cubicles – so I don’t know – and I’m still a virgin.  Is there something wrong with me? Should one ball hang lower than the other, I’m quite worried about it.

    John, 15, Glasgow

     

    Dear John,

    It’s quite common for one testicle to be bigger than the other and also for one testicle to hang lower than the other one.

    You’re 15 as well and males go through puberty between 12 and 16, reaching full physical maturity at around 18, so it may also be that you’re still developing.

    In any case, it’s normal to feel a bit anxious and unsure of what is and isn’t ‘normal’ while you’re growing and your body is changing.

    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.

    What we advise men to look out for is changes in their testicles such as swellings, lumps or bumps that weren’t there before as this can be a sign of testicular cancer and this is why doctors advise you to check your testicles regularly.

    If you’re still concerned and want to talk to someone confidentially, then your GP is a good starting point.

    We’ve teamed up with the UK’s leading online pharmacy, Pharmacy2U, to answer all your health and sexual questions.

    Got a problem you’d like advice on? Click here to ask your question.

    OTHER QUESTIONS: HIV | WILLY WONDERS | HOLES | DOING IT | STIs | LUMPS & BUMPS | BACK TO SEX CLINIC HOME PAGE

    Advice given in this article is for guidance only and you should always seek your own independent, professional medical advice from your own GP if you are concerned about your health.  

  • ADVICE | I have little whiteheads on my balls

    This week a reader is concerned about little whiteheads on his ball bag. We ask Medical Director Dr Nitin Shori from Pharmacy2U whether it’s something to be concerned about.

    I have little whiteheads on my balls

    Dear TGUK
    I noticed that I have a few little whiteheads on my ball bag. They are tiny – maybe a few millimetres big.
    They don’t hurt and they’ve been there for as long as I can remember.
    I know this is gross but you can squeeze the little whiteheads – and a little bit of stringy white stuff comes out of them, when you do that. The pus or whatever it is doesn’t smell. I pop a few now and then in the bath – and sometimes a couple more appear a week later.
    Are they normal? Should I stop squeezing? Is it something to be worried about?

    Ben, Somerset

    Hi Ben

    You can get rashes on your testicles as you can any other part of your skin that are caused by anything from blocked pores to allergies or heat irritation.

    If anything, this area is a bit more sensitive so treat it with care. Shaving can often cause symptoms like yours. Could this be a factor? Have you had break outs anywhere else? Are you using a new body-wash or even a new washing powder that could be causing a reaction?

    Also, the weather has been humid lately and this can cause rashes through sweating. You need to ensure you wash regularly and properly dry yourself before dressing as rashes love moist, damp places! If you shave you need to keep the area clean afterwards.

    Rashes can be a sign of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) but from what you describe it doesn’t sound likely. However, if it doesn’t clear up, do go and see your GP or local GUM clinic just to make sure.  The majority of STDs can be treated quickly and efficiently the earlier they are diagnosed, so even if it is that I wouldn’t worry unduly at this stage. You can also get an STD testing kit online if you just want to put your mind at rest and rule that out.

     

    The advice listed above is not intended to replace or take the place of that of your own doctor, GP or medical professional who knows your full medical history. If in any doubt make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

    OTHER QUESTIONS: HIV | WILLY WONDERS | HOLES | DOING IT | STIs | LUMPS & BUMPS | BACK TO SEX CLINIC HOME PAGE

    Got a problem you’d like advice on?

  • ADVICE | I have achy balls – should I go to the doctor?

    This week a nervous reader asks Pharmacy2U’s Medical Director Dr Nitin Shori about some pains he’s been getting in his testes.

     

    Dear TGUK
    I sometimes get aches in my left ball. I’ve done a check for lumps but haven’t found anything odd – or unusual. There’s been no blood in my pee or cum. The pain is like a dull ache that goes from the bottom of my balls to the pit of my stomach. It doesn’t last very long. Because it doesn’t happen all the time I haven’t been to the doctors about it, but wondering if I should.

    Paddy, Dublin

     

    Hi Paddy

    Re-occurring pain anywhere is a reason to get checked and you should see your GP for an examination.  It could be something entirely benign or something more serious although from what you say you don’t have other symptoms.

    These are:
    A new hard lump on the testicle
    Swelling or enlargement of a testicle
    An increase in firmness of a testicle
    An unusual difference between one testicle and the other

    However there is no harm in being on the safe side and ruling this out by visiting your GP or GUM clinic and if it is anything serious, the earlier it’s caught the more effective the treatment. If you get a significant acute pain that persists in either your testicle or abdomen, you should see your doctor for urgent review.

     

    The advice listed above is not intended to replace or take the place of that of your own doctor, GP or medical professional who knows your full medical history. If in any doubt make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

    OTHER QUESTIONS: HIV | WILLY WONDERS | HOLES | DOING IT | STIs | LUMPS & BUMPS | BACK TO SEX CLINIC HOME PAGE

    Got a problem you’d like advice on?

  • ADVICE | One ball hangs lower than the other – am I normal?

    This week a concerned reader is worried that one of his balls is hanging lower than the other. Medical Director from Pharmacy2U, Dr Nitin Shori, takes a look at what could be wrong.

    Dear TGUK
    I’ve got one ball hanging lower than the other – I’ve not noticed whether other guys are the same, because our school has separate shower cubicles – so I don’t know – and I’m still a virgin.  Is there something wrong with me? Should one ball hang lower than the other, I’m quite worried about it.

    John, 15, Glasgow

    Dear John,

    It’s quite common for one testicle to be bigger than the other and also for one testicle to hang lower than the other one.

    You’re 15 as well and males go through puberty between 12 and 16, reaching full physical maturity at around 18, so it may also be that you’re still developing.

    In any case, it’s normal to feel a bit anxious and unsure of what is and isn’t ‘normal’ while you’re growing and your body is changing.

    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.

    What we advise men to look out for is changes in their testicles such as swellings, lumps or bumps that weren’t there before as this can be a sign of testicular cancer and this is why doctors advise you to check your testicles regularly.

    If you’re still concerned and want to talk to someone confidentially, then your GP is a good starting point.

     

    We’ve teamed up with the UK’s leading online pharmacy, Pharmacy2U, to answer all your health and sexual questions.

     

    The advice listed above is not intended to replace or take the place of that of your own doctor, GP or medical professional who knows your full medical history. If in any doubt make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

    OTHER QUESTIONS: HIV | WILLY WONDERS | HOLES | DOING IT | STIs | LUMPS & BUMPS | BACK TO SEX CLINIC HOME PAGE

    Got a problem you’d like advice on?

  • ADVICE | I Have Found Lumps And Bumps On My Balls

    This week a reader is worried about some lumps and bumps he’s found on his testicles.

    I Have Found Lumps And Bumps On My Balls

    DEAR TGUK,

    I have a cyst on my testicle, I’ve had it a couple of years, it doesn’t really bother me much, should I do anything about it?

    Pat, Manchester

     

    If you have had the lump on your testicle checked and have been told it is a cyst, then as long as it doesn’t change you do not need to do anything. Often if a lump is found a doctor will order an ultrasound scan to confirm it is just a cyst. The tubes which are attached to your testicles can feel lumpy or a bit like spaghetti and this is usually normal, but if in doubt get it checked.

    If you are unsure it is definitely worthwhile visiting your GP or a sexual health clinic. Men should check their testicles once a month (ideally after a bath or shower) rotate them between your index finger and thumb to feel the surface to check there aren’t any new lumps. If you do this you will get to know them well. If anything changes you are then more likely to spot it quickly.

    Here’s a great video on how to check;

    For any lumps and bumps on your genitals which you are concerned about, just book in or if you can walk-in to a sexual health clinic. Try not to feel embarrassed as lumps and bumps are very common and the staff are experienced and used to seeing many people with similar problems each day.

     

    by Jake and Jenna at 56 Dean Street

     

    The advice listed above is not intended to replace or take the place of that of your own doctor, GP or medical professional who knows your full medical history. If in any doubt make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

    OTHER QUESTIONS: HIV | WILLY WONDERS | HOLES | DOING IT | STIs | LUMPS & BUMPS | BACK TO SEX CLINIC HOME PAGE

    Got a problem you’d like advice on?