9 Sexual Health Issues Your Teenage Son Should Check For

While your teenage son doesn’t have to deal with period pains or the fear of pregnancy, that is not to say he doesn’t have any sexual health issues with which to cope. Some male teen sexual health issues are perfectly normal variants that affect anyone’s wellness, while others may be abnormal and seriously threaten his wellbeing without medical attention. According to Rima Himelstein, MD, of the Crozer-Keystone Health System, you should ‘talk to your teenage son about doing monthly testicular self-examinations. If your teen finds a lump, bump or mass, or has pain in the scrotal area, ask your teen’s doctor to evaluate it as soon as possible.’ But what problems might your son be facing?

 

1. Gynecomastia: Himelstein notes, ‘Breast development in a male may occur during puberty.  Understandably, this may cause a teenage boy to stress. It can occur on one or both sides and usually goes away in a few years. Although usually normal, gynecomastia may be a symptom of something else so ask your teen’s doctor to check him.’

 

2. Pearly Penile Papules: These ‘are tiny bumps along the base of the glans penis,’ Himelstein explains. ‘Not only are they normal, but they are also common: 15-20% of male adolescents have them. If your teen doesn’t know that they are normal, my bet is that he will probably be worried about them.’

 

3. Varicoceles: Himelstein notes varicoceles ‘are like varicose veins in the scrotum.  Varicoceles are usually found above the left testicle but can be present on both sides.  Found in up to 15% of adolescent boys, a varicocele is usually not of concern but ask your teen’s doctor to confirm.’

 

4. Hydrocele: ‘A hydrocele is a collection of fluid that surrounds a testicle,’ says Himelstein. ‘Usually, a hydrocele is not painful and does not require any treatment. However, your teen’s doctor should examine him to rule out other causes of scrotal swelling.’

 

5. Spermatoceles: Himelstein details, ‘Epididymal cysts are small fluid-filled cysts that appear along the epididymis, a part of the reproductive tract that is behind the testicle.  A spermatocele feels like a smooth lump that is not attached to the testicle. Spermatoceles do not require treatment unless they are large or cause discomfort.’

 

6. Inguinal Hernia: ‘An inguinal hernia occurs when a small portion of the bowel bulges through the muscles of the abdominal wall and into the groin,’ Himelstein comments. ‘The bulge may become more obvious when coughing, straining, or lifting heavy objects. An inguinal hernia needs to be fixed with surgery and can be an emergency if the bowel gets trapped.’

 

7. Testicular Cancer: Himelstein points out, ‘Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in American males between the ages of 15 and 34. Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include: a lump in a testicle which may or may not be tender, a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, a dull ache in the abdomen or groin, a sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum and enlargement or tenderness of the breasts.’

 

8. Testicular Torsion: ‘Testicular torsion is the twisting of the testicle and the spermatic cord,’ Himelstein explains. ‘This cuts off the blood supply to the testicle. The symptoms may be sudden and severe pain in the testicle or lower abdomen and nausea. Torsion is a surgical emergency. If surgery is performed within six hours, the testicle can usually be saved. Torsion is most common between the ages of 12 and 18 years.’

 

9. Epididymitis: Himelstein outlines, ‘Epididymitis is inflammation of the epididymis caused by infection or trauma.  A teen may experience the gradual onset of pain in the scrotum, inguinal area or abdomen as well as tenderness of the epididymis.  Treatment is usually antibiotics. It is important for your teen’s doctor to make sure that it is not testicular torsion.’

Categories: health issues, himelstein, himelstein notes, inguinal hernia, sexual health, teen, teenage boys, teenage son, Testicular Cancer, testicular torsion

What Are The Most Common Causes Of Testicular Pain?

Most men prefer to ignore pain in their bodies than go to a doctor, but that’s not always the healthiest route to take. When it comes to pain ‘down below’ you shouldn’t ignore it under any circumstances. Most men experience testicular pain just from thinking about it, but the real thing could be a side effect of a condition such as cysts or varicose veins. While avoiding the doctor’s office may be the nicer option, you shouldn’t disregard testicular pain. There are a number of reasons why you may be experiencing pain in this area, but none of them are good or normal. Here are some of the more common causes of pain ‘down there’.

Inguinal Hernia

Hernias are quite common among men but most men don’t actually know what they are. Hernias can occur in various parts of the body, but they usually occur when a portion of fatty tissue or intestine squeezes through it’s container, which is usually the abdominal wall. If you have testicular pain, you could have an inguinal hernia which occurs where the seam of your thigh meets the body. The hernia travels through the same route as your testicles took when the body was forming, which is why you get pain here when this occurs.

Testicular Cancer

There’s some good news here – testicular pain is very rarely a sign of testicular cancer. Only one in ten men with cancer in this area feel pain as a symptoms. Instead, it’s usually detected by you or your doctor feeling a lump. But, for ten per cent of men, pain in the testicles is a sign of a tumour in the area – it may not even be painful, but rather uncomfortable or heavy, or visibly larger and swollen. In addition to pain in the lower back, fluid collecting in the scrotum, and tenderness in the chest, these are signs that you need to have your symptoms checked out as soon as possible. If you notice a change in anything in or around your testicles, you should always see a doctor straight away. Early detection of any condition is always the best way to treat it quickly, especially with testicular cancer.

Testicular Torsion

There are some more serious causes of testicular pain that are considered emergencies, and failure to seek treatment quickly could result in losing a testicle. This is the case with testicular torsion. A strong force of torque isn’t useful when it’s inside your scrotum, but sometimes a spermatic cord gets twisted and shuts off the blood supply to your testicles. It’s very painful, as the name signifies, and you’d struggle to ignore the kind of pain this condition causes. You’ll need surgery quickly to resolve this issue, where the testicle will be re-set and stitched inside the scrotum to prevent future twisting. You’ll most likely have the same procedure in the other testicle to prevent it happening again.

 

Hematocele

A blow to the testicles is always accompanied by crippling pain, as all men will know. Usually the pain passes and you’re fine, but sometimes the shot you’ve taken to the testicles leads to other problems. The testicles are surrounded by a multi-layered sac, and a direct hit to this area can cause blood to collect between the layers – this is known as hematocele. It can be cured with bed rest and taking it easy, or with minor surgery, depending on the level of discomfort.

Categories: area, doctor, inguinal hernia, Pain, Symptoms, Testicles, testicular, Testicular Cancer, testicular pain, testicular torsion

Are You Aware Of The Signs Of Testicular Cancer?

Testicular cancer is a form of malignancy that grows within the man’s testicle. But what is really happening within the body, and how can you tell the signs? Testicular cancer is actually quite uncommon, despite many people being under the impression that they’re at risk. It’s responsible for just half of one per cent of all male cancer deaths. However, although it is rare, it is the most common cancer in men aged between 29 and 35, and men in this age bracket should check themselves regularly. It is also more common in white men than other ethnicities. There are two major forms of testicular cancer, which are seminoma (the most common) and nonseminoma germ cell tumours. Usually, testicular cancer only occurs in one testicle. The most common sign is a painless swelling in the testicle, which some men notice after an injury to the scrotum. However, the injury isn’t the cause of the cancer. The cause of testicular cancer is actually unknown, but men who have an undescended testicle are more at risk of developing the disease. Also, the male children of women who took hormones while they were pregnant could also have a greater risk.

Nothing can be done to prevent testicular cancer, but any lump in the testicle should be reported to your GP as soon as possible. In all cases, early diagnosis lowers the risk of the cancer spreading so you should always report any worries or health concerns to your doctor. Another way to lower the risk of cancer remaining undiagnosed is to check yourself regularly for lumps. Certain bodily chemicals, such as beta human chorionic gonadotropin or alpha fetoprotein, are produced by some testicular cancers, and these are known as tumour markers. A small amount of blood will be drawn during your check-up to check for these, and the only way to determine is cancer is present is to remove the testicle. If the cancer is not treated, it will become fatal. But if it is treated, there is a high chance of survival – over 70 per cent of men are long-term survivors. There is no risk to other people though – cancer can’t spread to other people and poses no health risk to people you spend time with.

 

There are a number of very effective treatments for testicular cancer, meaning that the cancer can be cured even if it’s spread to other parts of the body. In addition to the affected testicle, your treatment may include a number of medications and surgical treatments. Additional surgery could include lymphatic tissue in the stomach for testing, and if need be the lymph nodes will be removed as well. Radiation therapy is a common treatment for men with seminomas, particularly in the early stages. And in some cases, chemotherapy may be used alongside other treatments. There may be side effects, which your GP will discuss with you at your appointment. After your therapy, you will be monitored regularly for signs that the cancer has come back, but the frequency of this will reduce as time goes on.If you find a lump or are unsure about the correct way to test for lumps on your own, you should speak to your GP who can advise you. There are a number of services available for people will testicular, and other forms of, cancer to help you deal with your symptoms and manage your treatments – your GP can also offer you information about these.

Categories: cancer, common, risk, Symptoms, testicle, testicular, Testicular Cancer