A Testicle Removed

Good morning.

"Firstly I would like to let you know how much I enjoy reading your blog.  It is always my first check-in daily.  The amount of knowledge I have gained from you and your readers is invaluable.

Now for my question.  My partner's nephew (27 years old) had to have a testicle removed over the weekend due to a testicular torsion.  Is this by any chance a topic that has been covered before, and if not could you possibly pose this to your knowledgeable readers? We would like to hear from others who have suffered this same situation and how they managed the side-effects (if any).  I would think at a minimum he should get under an endocrinologist's care ASAP to keep an eye on his "T" levels and immediately start supplementing if/when his numbers drop.  As he is very shy I am also concerned that he could start experiencing erection issues whereby he can't keep the "pipes clear" in order to avoid potential prostate issues/cancer and would be too embarrassed to mention this to his doctors.

Any information you or your readers could share would be greatly appreciated!

Feel free to edit the above in any way you see fit, and please sign me "A Concerned Uncle"."

First, thank you for being a faithful reader. It's appreciated.

Sorry to hear your nephew had to lose a testicle. Although testicular torsion is extremely painful, I can say losing one due to torsion is better than testicular cancer. I hope his recovery is quick --- at some point he may consider getting an implant to replace the one he lost. His doctor may even ask him if he wants one.

There should be no side effects from this. One testicle should be sufficient to keep his T levels high enough so he doesn't have to worry about problems with erections. Nor should he have to worry about fertility. One testicle will produce more than enough sperm. I had a buddy in the military with one testicle and he had no problem getting hard and fathered two children. As the adage goes, "All it takes is one."

When it comes to normal sexual function, his doctor should address those issues without your nephew having to ask. I mean, it's a common fear --- though not one he should need to worry about.

Readers? Anyone have any experience with only having one testicle?

and don't forget to

You're Lucky

 

"I want to thank you for your blog. I was homeschooled and pretty much everything I learned I learned here. As you can tell it was a very sheltered life. I went to join the air force and the guy doing the physical asked what happened to my other nut. I'd only ever had one and said so. They insisted I get checked. That nut was still up in my abdomen and they needed to take it out because it had cancer. So no question just a big thank you for what you do because I know I can't be the only one who was clueless before reading your blogs."

You are a prime example of what can happen due to ignorance. It's pretty bad that you didn't know men have two balls.

Not to be harsh, but you're lucky the Air Force docs caught it. It's common for an undescended testicle to develop cancer. As I said in my email response, if you have any questions --- about anything --- feel free to ask. I will do my best to get you answers. Guys deserve to know what they're born with,

and how those things are supposed to function. Otherwise, how will they know if something isn't right?

Today is

BUDDY BALL CHECK

So, check the one real one you have. According to statistics, if one testicle is cancerous, the chances are greater to develop cancer in the other.

And the rest of you: Drop trou and get busy.

It's dreary, cloudy, and raining. Again. Although we need the rain --- and lots of it --- I'd much rather be with this guy:

Sense of Self

 

No, it's not Buddy Ball Check day. Not yet.

"I lost a nut due to a bicycle accident. Six months later the insurance company has denied an implant. They're saying it's elective surgery because I can live without a testicle. Yeah I can but that's not the point. Reaching down for whatever reason and not feeling two bugs me to no end. It doesn't feel right and it doesn't look right. Any ideas?"

Research says most insurance companies will cover the cost of a testicular implant. That yours won't is bucking the system. I have a good friend and a sister-in-law who both do medical billing. According to them, improper codes can be attributed to many cases of insurance denial. You might want to contact your doctor's office and ask them to check that.

If that doesn't work, try calling the insurance company and asking to speak to a male representative. Appealing to someone who can relate to - and have empathy for - your issue might help.

Beyond that, you can tell your Primary you're suffering from severe depression over this and need a referral to a psychologist. The psychologist can then make the case. Because, truly, a man with one testicle feels something important is missing, just as much as a woman feels in missing a breast.

Your missing nut may not be as obvious as a missing breast - but other people's reaction (even in the locker room) isn't the issue. Heck, they may not even notice. 

But feeling self-conscious and covering your crotch is conduct that may actually draw attention to it.

So while others may not know you have only one ball, you do.

And your sense of self, your self-esteem is what counts.

Any Readers out there have any medical or insurance experience to offer suggestions?

Do Your Part

Buddy Ball Check

How important is it to share the reminder?

Awhile ago my wife commented to a coworker about the importance of men checking their balls, the same way women are told to check for breast cancer. That colleague approached my wife announcing she had the discussion with her husband. Damn good thing. He found a lump in his right testicle. Testing says it's currently not cancerous, but it needs monitoring. 

However...the ultrasound detected a spot on his left ball that looks suspicious. So, that one is coming out. And because balls are important to us guys from an aesthetic standpoint, a replacement implant will go in. Implants are positioned and sutured to the base of the scrotum and have no noticeable difference from the real thing (except maybe to touch or massage).

But, it's proof that early detection is the difference between a cancer victim and a cancer survivor.

People, it doesn't take much courage to tell a loved one, a friend, or even a co-worker how important it is for men to check their balls.

Don't know how to check, or what to look for? Watch the Video:

Ball Check Video

Yes, our balls are important to us men

 But saving a guy's life is more so.

Do your part today.

Tell a man to check his balls.