Penis Self-Exam: How to Perform it and Why You Should

Since the dawn of puberty, a man has spent many years getting to know his penis intimately. It's been the object of his attention and affection without challenge. However, while a man is very familiar with the landscape of his penis, he may not be examining it as closely as he thinks. That's why men young and old need to perform regular penis self-exams.

By performing penis self-exams regularly, a man can identify any abnormalities or causes of concern a less formal visit with his penis would yield. Since early detection is the key to beating many issues like cancer and STIs, penis self-exams are especially important. These exams are also an important supplement to annual exams with a physician and can prompt doctor's visits when issues arise, making them the key to good penis health.

Why Do a Penis Self-Exam?

There are many reasons to perform a penis self-exam regularly. One of the major reasons is to check for penile and testicular cancers. When found in their earlier stages, these cancers often have a very positive prognosis, so diligent exams can lead to better outcomes due to early detection. Also, men who are sexually active will want to perform exams to ensure they did not contract or are not in danger of spreading STIs. Many STIs are accompanied by sores, bumps, blisters, changes in skin color, or unusual discharge; however, sometimes a disease in its early stage will appear to “cure itself” only to become more dangerous or even deadly in a later stage. That’s why frequent -self-exams are critical.

Penis Self-Exam Frequency

Do a penis self-exam at least once per month. If any issues or abnormalities are discovered, see a doctor immediately and abstain from sex until a doctor provides a clean bill of health.

How to Perform a Penis Self-Exam

For men who are new to giving themselves a penis self-exam, here are a few easy steps to follow:

1) Take a warm shower. This relaxes the muscles and also rinses away anything that may be on the penis, like dead skin cells, dirt, or body fluids, so that the skin is completely natural and ready for an exam.

2) While in the shower, start by checking the scrotum. Look for any changes in skin texture or color.

3) Next, gently roll the testicles between the thumb and forefinger. Feel for any lumps, bumps, or areas that are especially sensitive to touch or painful. There is a small bump that may be felt at the back of the testicles which is called the epididymis, which is a tiny tube that carries sperm and unless it’s painful, isn’t a cause for worry.

4) Finally, look over the shaft and head for any lumps, blisters, bumps, sores, or discolorations. It’s also a good idea to do a quick scan of the groin and inner thighs as well.

Promoting Penis Health with Proper Hygiene

Giving the penis proper attention on the regular will keep issues like soreness, dryness, irritation, and infections at bay. Here are a few tips for putting a good grooming practice in place that will keep the penis health, happy, and strong for many years to come:

1) Clean it up! Use a gentle cleanser and warm water. Wash daily, after exercise, and after any sexual activities to keep the penis fresh and bacteria free.

2) Flex the fit. Be sure clothes fit well and support the penis without constricting it. Too tight underwear and pants can cause bruising, soreness, and chafing which will not only cause discomfort but cause a moratorium on intimate activities.

3) Moisturize! After cleaning the penis, apply a specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin). This will help not only keep the delicate skin supple and soft, but also promote blood flow, cell turnover, and collagen production for strong skin.

Penis Self-Exam - Tips For Checking Out the Equipment

By now, most men have been instructed by their doc to perform a monthly penis self-exam in search of suspicious penis lumps or bumps. Sure, most men regularly give their Johnson a good going over in the bedroom; however, checking for lumps is likely the last thing on their mind. When it comes to the medical side of things, some men become anxious about what they may find and prefer to leave this to the medical experts. However, an annual visit to a urologist may not be enough to catch a developing issue. In fact, being familiar with the terrain down there makes it easier to spot something out of the ordinary. So men are encouraged to grab a mirror - or a partner who is willing to scout out the scene - and give it a good look. After all, a good penis care routine may just catch something the doc misses.

How to Perform a Penis Self-Exam
Some men find it unpleasant to get up close and personal with their junk - although they have no problems with their partners getting a bird’s eye view! A genital self-exam is a good preventative measure that should be done on a regular basis to keep on top of any gradual changes that may indicate a serious problem. Often, cancerous lumps grow very slowly, so subtle changes may not be found on a sporadic self-exam regimen.

1. Establish a baseline: First, it is important to know what things look like when they are healthy, so that changes will be more readily seen. It is important to spend a good long while becoming familiar with every - yes every - nook and cranny.

2. Look for redness: Men should also be on the lookout for any areas of redness, irritation, bumps, blisters, open sores or warts over the entire genital area.

3. Feel for bumps: Slowly rubbing the pointer and index finger over the surface of the penis and scrotum can help bring any bumps or nodules to light. Men who are uncircumcised need to retract the foreskin and examine the head of the penis, as well as the foreskin, and look for signs of irritation or yeast buildup along the seam of the foreskin.

4. Go down under: Here is where the hand mirror comes in handy. Positioning a mirror carefully permits examination the underside of the penis and scrotum.

5. Discharge: Any bleeding or discharge from the penis should be a sign that a doctor’s visit is imperative; if there are any sores on the penis, these should also be checked for oozing, discharge or blood.

6. Squeeze and cough: Okay, during a self-exam, the cough may not be necessary; however, a gentle squeeze of the testicles can help check for swelling, nodules and tenderness of the area.

7. Check the skin: Men who regularly shave their nether regions will have less difficulty checking the skin for pimples, freckles, moles or unusual skin conditions. For men who prefer to go au naturel, a closer examination is necessary to peer through the pubic hair. Slowly separating the pubic hair so the skin is visible and continuing this process until all the skin has been checked can help to uncover any suspicious spots or other skin irregularities.

Daily Penis Care
While the thorough regimen described above need only be completed on monthly basis, men are not off the hook when it comes to daily penis care. Something as simple as using a daily penis nutrient cream (most professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) can go a long way towards keeping the penis healthy and thriving. Selecting a product formulated with vitamin A can help keep bacteria at bay, reducing the appearance of penis pimples, ingrown hairs and other pesky penis problems. Additionally, a penis oil will moisturize the skin of the penis leaving the skin silky smooth and supple.

Penis Self-Exam – A How-To Guide for Men

It’s safe to say that by the time a man reaches adulthood, he is quite familiar with the topography of his penis, not to mention alert to any signs of an abnormality. This intimate knowledge of the penis is healthy, since early treatment is important to resolving many different types of problems.

In fact, performing a regular self-exam is recommended for all men, young and old, in order to keep track of any unusual conditions and get help when something doesn’t seem quite right. Following the steps outlined below can help guys to take control of their penis health. One thing to keep in mind – although a man knows his own body best, self-diagnosis and treatment is generally not a good idea. If something isn’t right, it should be checked out by a doctor, even if it doesn’t seem like a big deal. In addition, men should have regular check-ups with a qualified health professional.

Why perform a personal penis health check?

Penile and testicular cancers have a significantly more positive prognosis if caught in the early stages; therefore, performing regular self-checks can increase a man’s chance of recovery. Furthermore, even for men who take precautions, there is always a risk of contracting an STD; catching these early can help to prevent spreading them to others. Some STDs can be identified by the presence of sores, blisters, lesions, changes in color, or unusual discharge; however, certain communicable diseases can be present in the body without causing any visible symptoms, so there is never any excuse for not taking care.

How to do a penis self-exam and what to look for

A penis health check is best performed after a warm shower, which relaxes the muscles, as well as rinsing away any residue of skin cells or body fluids that might alter the appearance of the skin.

To start with, men should check the scrotum for any signs of change in skin color or texture. For guys who are not especially flexible, a mirror may be helpful here. Rolling the testicles gently between the thumb and fingers, men should check for any unusual bumps, lumps or painful areas. In some cases, a slight bump may be felt at the back of the testicles – this is most likely the epididymis, a small tube that carries sperm, and should not be a cause for concern unless it is painful.

After checking the scrotum, men should look over all parts of the penis for any lumps, sores, blisters or discolorations. The presence of any of these on the upper thighs or anywhere in the groin area should also be noted. 

How often should a penis self-exam be done?

A self-check of the penis and groin area should be done at least once a month; if any abnormalities are detected, men should abstain from sex until they have seen a doctor and been cleared for action.

Caring for the penis and protecting penile health

While most men will experience occasional issues such as dryness, irritation, minor skin infections, and soreness, these conditions can be kept to a minimum with proper care. In addition, a little TLC for the penis can go a long way toward preventing more serious problems from developing.

Keeping it clean is one of the most important steps, as good hygiene can decrease the risk of irritation from accumulated skin cells and body fluids. Skin that is clean, smooth and supple is less likely to develop tiny fissures that allow infectious agents to penetrate, increasing the likelihood of infection, STDs and even penile cancer.

Wearing comfortable clothing that is not too tight, yet holds the equipment in place, can help to prevent chafing and other injuries to the skin. In addition, applying a penis vitamin creme (most health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) after showering can help to ensure that the penis receives the nutrients needed to support healthy blood flow, regenerate stressed skin cells and  promote penis sensation.