Sexual health is an important topic, but some men are still embarrassed to talk about it. And that’s dangerous…sometimes deadly. Why? Because men who don’t talk about sexual health remain ignorant of the warning signs of testicular cancer.

For optimum sexual health and well-being, all men between ages 15 and 40 should perform a monthly testicular self-exam. Monthly self-exams of the testicles is an effective way of becoming familiar with this area of the body so you can detect any symptoms of testicular cancer at an early -- and very curable -- stage. The American Cancer Society also recommends a testicular exam by a health care professional every three years after age 20, then annually after age 40.

If you’re a man who cares about your sexual health and wants to remain sexually active for as long as possible, it’s time to take matters into your own hands. For optimum sexual health and well-being, all men between ages 15 and 40 should perform a monthly testicular self-exam.

Here's How To Protect Your Testicles and Your Sexual Health

• Take a warm bath or shower to relax the scrotal sac.
• Stand naked in front of a mirror.
• Examine the skin of the scrotum for swelling.
• Find the right testicle within your scrotal sac.
• Roll the right testicle gently between the thumbs and fingers.
• Examine the testicle carefully and thoroughly.
• Find the epididymis (a cord-like structure on the top and back of the testicle).
• Do not confuse the epididymis with a lump.
• Feel for a lump (like a pea) or mass on the surface of the testicle.
• Repeat with the left testicle.

Symptoms that should not be ignored are:

• Small, painless lump in a testicle
• Feeling of heaviness in the testicle
• Enlarging male breasts or breast tenderness
• Enlargement of the testicle
• A new collection of fluid or blood in the scrotum around the testicle
• Pain in the testicle

  If you find a lump or swelling or anything unusual, see your doctor or health care provider.

  Tips:

  • The self-exam should not be painful or uncomfortable
  • Try placing your right leg on a chair while you examine the right testicle, then elevate the left leg to examine the left testicle.
  • One testicle may be larger and/or hang lower than the other.
  • If you cannot locate one or both testicles, consult with your doctor. They may not have descended properly.
  • Call your doctor if the exam is painful, if you find anything that seems unusual, if you are unsure that you have found a lump, or if you have questions.

    The cause of testicular cancer is unknown, but there are several known risk factors that may threaten your testicles and your sexual health. They include a family history of testicular tumors, a history of an undescended testicle or a late descending testicle, a history of mumps and later shrinking of the testicles, and/or an injury to the scrotum.

    Ethnicity may also increase a man’s risk for this specific type of cancer. According to sexual health studies, testicular cancer is more common in white than black men