Examination of the penis and testes
Physical examination of the penis and testes is guided by the history. If a person has experienced trauma (from sexual assault or a previous examination that was distressing) or is anxious about examination, discuss their feelings and outline each step of the examination (with checks at each point for signs of distress and for consent to continue). Offer that a chaperone or support person could be present.
An examination may include looking for signs of androgen deficiency such as small testes (which may be a sign of Klinefelter syndrome1) and other chronic disease. Examine for signs of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors (including hypertension and obesity), particularly in assessing erectile dysfunction. Assess for neurological causes of any erectile difficulties (such as pelvic arterial disease, injury or surgery). In individuals with premature ejaculation, examination for prostatitis and thyroid disease may be appropriate. Prostatic examination may be indicated if the person has urinary symptoms suggestive of prostatic hyperplasia.
See the Healthy Male website for a detailed guide to penile and testicular examination.