In most cases, examination of the genitals is unnecessary before puberty. However, in rare cases, conditions that affect the penis or rectum may appear early, necessitating penile exams before puberty. Once one hits puberty, due to the growth and changes associated with the genitalia, physical exams may become necessary, whether done by a doctor or self.

Self-examination

You may feel very uncomfortable letting a doctor examine you, or the doctor may be unavailable or inaccessible in some cases. Self-exams are recommended in these cases and usually follow specific parameters as summarized below:

• Relaxation. You should be physically relaxed, and the genitalia should not be sexually aroused. Ease means that you should not be either half or fully erect as the tightness may hamper some observations from being made.
• For the testicles, ensure that your hands are not cold and the temperature outside does not prevent them from descending. Hold the scrotum in such a way that the testicles remain in place, ideally by lightly pinching the upper part of the scrotum.
• The inspection process can include using the digits and the thumb to palpate the whole exterior of the individual testis. The objective is to feel any hard tissue or lumps. The sizes of abnormal lumps range from the measurement of a grain of rice to that of a grape. One should know how the epididymis feels because it can be easily mistaken for growth when the etiology is unknown.
• For the penis, you should thoroughly inspect and palpate the head and shaft to ensure that there are no masses, stiffness, or tenderness on the penis. Lesions on the surface or any damaged tissue should be noted. You should pull it back for those with a foreskin and ensure no abnormal growths or appearances from what you usually see.

The idea of a self-exam is that if you find nothing out of the ordinary, taking action is unnecessary. However, if something is not right, seeking medical attention and help is highly recommended. In some conditions, such cancers as mentioned before, initial detection is essential if any further complications are to be countered early.

Frequency of Self-exams

If you plan to detect any possible complications early, you should do self-examinations as frequently as possible to increase familiarity with your anatomy. The best recommendation is once monthly because it is easy to notice any changes that may occur within that period if you have an intimate knowledge of your genital anatomy.

Are Clinical Exams Necessary?

For people who do self-exams in the recommended frequency, the urge to see a doctor for the same exam may not be as strong, especially if they do not detect anything out of the ordinary. However, it is recommended that you see a doctor regardless of how often you self-examine. Doctors are better trained to diagnose any possible conditions beyond common knowledge, making them better equipped to make more sophisticated diagnoses and recommendations.

The Attending Doctor

A medical doctor is qualified and licensed to perform physical exams, including genital exams. You can either ask the doctor to complete the exam or advise how best to self-examine. In the case of complications, a primary care doctor or general physician may recommend a visit to a specialist in the genitourinary system, otherwise known as a urologist.

Clinical Examination

Predictably, a medical assessment is more detailed and more conclusive than a self-exam. Ideally, many tests are carried out during a medical exam and often incorporate all or some of the following:

• Physical exam.
• Mental health check.
• Various laboratory tests such as blood work and urine tests.
• Ultrasound.
• Injection testing is done to test for erectile function or dysfunction.
• Overnight erection tests are done to determine the possible cause of erectile dysfunction.

Clinical examination is recommended at least once a year and can be done when one goes for any routine or yearly physicals. For young adults, such as young adolescent males, a chaperone should be present. With a chaperone present, it is easier for them and their guardians to observe and confirm that the clinical examination is professionally done. Also, it avoids legal implications associated with the sensitivity of a penile exam on a minor.