Testicular ultrasound at Haywards Heath Hospital

A testicular ultrasound is a painless scan that uses sound waves to create images of your testicles, scrotum and the structures around them. It's a quick way for doctors to check for lumps, swelling, pain or fertility problems, without using any radiation.

Why might I need a testicular ultrasound?

Your doctor may suggest this scan to check the cause of a symptom, or to look more closely at your fertility. It's often the first test used when there's something to investigate, since it gives a clear picture of the testicles and the tissue around them.

You might be offered a testicular ultrasound if you have:

• pain, swelling or a lump in your testicle or scrotum
• a suspected infection, such as epididymitis or orchitis
• a history of injury to the area
• fertility problems, or a suspected varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)
• a testicle that has not moved down into the scrotum as expected
• a previous testicular cancer diagnosis that needs monitoring.

The scan can also check whether a lump is solid, which may need further investigation, or fluid-filled, which is usually harmless, and whether blood is flowing normally to both testicles.

What are the benefits of a testicular ultrasound?

This scan is usually the first and most useful way to investigate a testicular lump or symptom, so it often gives you an answer quickly. If it comes back normal, that's a good result – it rules out serious conditions and can put your mind at rest.

If it finds a problem, this matters most for fertility. Varicoceles, enlarged veins in the scrotum, are the leading known cause of male infertility. They're a contributing factor in up to 40% of cases where a couple hasn't conceived within 12 months, and up to 80% of cases where a couple already has one child but is struggling to conceive another.

Studies show that treating a varicocele once it's found can improve sperm quality and increase the chances of a pregnancy, either naturally or with fertility treatment.

What happens during a testicular ultrasound?

1. You'll be asked to remove the clothes on your lower half, including your underwear, and lie on your back on an examination bed. You'll be covered with a sheet so that only your scrotum is exposed
2. A towel or supportive material may be placed under your scrotum to keep it still, and a warm gel is applied to the skin
3. A sonographer or radiologist moves a small handheld probe over the area. This sends sound waves that are converted into an image of your testicles on a screen
4. You may be asked to hold your breath briefly, or the sonographer may need to take extra images if they want a closer look at something.

The room is usually kept dim so the screen is easier to see, and a chaperone is normally present. You can ask for a more private setting, or for a trainee not to be involved, if you'd prefer.

The scan itself doesn't hurt, though you may feel slight pressure from the probe. It can take up to 20 minutes maximum.

What happens after a testicular ultrasound?

You can go straight back to your normal activities afterwards.

How soon you get your results depends on how you were referred. Some services give you a written report and their recommended next steps on the same day. Others send a report to the doctor who referred you, which can take about a week, and you'll then have a follow-up appointment to discuss what it shows.

If a lump has been found, the report will usually say whether it looks solid or fluid-filled, and its size and location. If cancer is suspected, you may need further tests, such as blood tests or a biopsy, to confirm this.

What are the risks or side effects?

A testicular ultrasound is very safe. It doesn't use radiation, and there are no known risks or side effects from the sound waves themselves.

The main limitation is that no scan can detect everything. Depending on your symptoms or what the scan shows, your doctor may suggest further investigations to get a complete picture.