Know thy nuts - keeping your testis healthy
Testis are the male reproductive organ. The testis are responsible for making testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, and for producing sperm. Within the testis are coiled masses of tubes called seminiferous tubules. These tubules are responsible for producing the sperm cells through a process called spermatogenesis. As with any other part of your body, your testis are susceptible to injury, disease and a wide range of conditions. A healthy pair of testis not only important for your sexual health and sex drive, but it is also important for male's fertility.
Testicular cancer often present with lump and sometimes associated with swelling, aching, heaviness sensation on the testicle, breast, lower or abdominal back pain. Testicular cancer are more common in younger patient particularly between the age of 15 to 45 years old. Undescended testis is a risk factor for development of testicular cancer. Testicular cancer is highly treatable disease with a high cure rate provided its detected early.
Cigarette can have various damaging effect to your body as it contains various chemical that can cause cancer, reduce the quality of the sperm and cause poor blood supply to your genital organs. So it is very important to quit smoking not just for general well being but also keeping your testis healthy and well-functioning.
Regular exercise is important to boost your general physical and sexual health. It helps you maintain a healthy weight, relief stress, improve your sex hormone production and improve the blood circulation to your testis. If you are active in sports, be sure to keep clothing loose and use of jockstrap when playing rough sports like rugby and be cautious while riding bicycle. Testis are sensitive to high temperature and it can cause damage to the sperm, so be sure to avoid activities that can increase scrotal temperature excessively such as sauna if you are planning to start a family. Also avoid excessive moisture around the genital area as excessive moist can lead to foul smelling and growth of fungal and bacterial infection.
It is also important to practice safe sex to prevent infection with STD. Be sure to use condom for protection and perform STD screening regularly and avoid high risk sexual behaviour.
As part of keeping your testis disease-free, its important to perform self-examination of your testis regularly. It is best done during or after a shower when the scrotum is relaxed. Just place your index and middle fingers under the testicle with your thumb on top. Firmly but gently, roll the testicle between your fingers. If you feel any lumps or bump, talk to your doctor as early as possible.
