Tiny, smooth bumps on the scrotum and shaft of the penis are normal and are most likely simply hair follicles or sweat glands. Small, cauliflower-like, raised lumps may be warts and should be treated by a doctor, usually in a sexual health clinic. The skin of the scrotum is usually rough and creased. Undescended testicles should be treated as young as possible, and adults who have had an undescended testicle need to self-examine regularly, because the risk from testicular cancer increases in an undescended testicle.

If the same testicle has always been missing, you should check with your doctor whether you have a testicle that has never moved from the abdomen into the scrotum, known as an undescended testicle. However even in adult life, the testicles can move fairly easily back up from the scrotum and into the abdomen - so they can be difficult to find sometimes!įor example, examining yourself after swimming in cold water can make it impossible to feel even one testicle, because the cold can cause the testicle to retract into the abdomen. We look at the most common conditions that can affect the testicles or scrotum, to put your mind (and your balls) at ease.ĭuring development the testicles move down from inside the abdomen into the scrotum. However, it is still worth getting anything unusual checked out by your GP. There are many conditions that can be easily confused with testicular cancer, and most of them are not cause for concern. Found a lump or a swelling in your ball sack and not sure what to do? While it's unnerving to find an unexpected bump anywhere on your body, testicular lumps and bumps are actually quite common and aren't usually caused by anything more serious.

Painful lump on testicle