lumps in testicles

[gingerflaps]

is it normal for men to get little lumps in their testicles? my bf's got like a small string of 3 lumps in one testi, ive mentioned it to him for months now but he wont do anything about it, its not got any bigger but i do worry alot about things like that. he said that if it gets bigger then he'l get it checked out, but im not convinced. are these small pea sized lumps normal and how can i get him to the doctors?

[Hamish]

He should see a doc asap. I have had similar things come and go (1-2days), but this sound persistant. If it is cancerous and active it could spread and the sooner he gets it treated the better. If it isn't then you know its OK! He can ask to see a male/female doc if he prefers (UK). I was realy worried when I had to be examined there - but no problems .......

[jake-the-peg]

Hamish is right he should get it checked out immediately

Get him to read this:

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=507&sectionId=9367

It may be a benign cyst but it could be cancer - if diagnosed early enough testicular cancer has a massive clearup rate with little side effects - if not it's a killer

[morg_monster]

I would echo Hamish's advice to definitely go to the doc.

But to put your mind at rest - it sounds like this could be something called a varicocele (pronounced varikoseely), this is a swollen vein in the scrotum, basically the blood gets a bit sluggish and pools in the vein, causing a swelling which is just blood but can be felt as a lump. There was some fear that these could slightly affect fertility, by increasing the temp of the testicles, but this was never really proved (and even if it is it is only a slight effect). They can cause a dull ache in the testicles which usually feels better when lying down.

if he does have this, doctors usually prefer to leave them alone, as it is such a delicate area and there are no real side effects apart from the odd ache. (I know all this cos we thought my boyfriend had one but it turned out not to be - he went to the doctors with not too much embarrassment really, and has actually been back again twice with his balls still 'not feeling right' but they haven't found anything out of the ordinary)

But still, he should go to the doctors, because there is a chance it could be something more ominous, and testicular cancer has one of the best cure rates of all cancers - if he does have this, it is by no means a death sentence. Also, if you plan to have kids some day, even a minor problem should be seen to.

(can't believe the automatic links that have come up along the side of this page!!!)

[mimififi]

take him to the doctor!!!

If he refuses to go then point out his selfishness. I know he must be afraid, but what he is doing is worse, he is potentially taking a course of action that will leave you on theis earth without him.

Put it to him this way; if you had a string of three lumps in one breast and didn't go and get it checked out, how would he feel? what would he do?

Offer to make the appointment for him and then drive him there. He just sounds afraid, and men hate admitting that they are afraid.

[Belle Fast]

Check if he has the same thing on the opposite side - it could be the epididymis which is normal. Equally if its on the skin it may not be a worry, but either way he should get it checked out. Cancer is so often treatable these days if caught early.