The two testicles are the primary male organs, they produce sperm and the male sex hormone testosterone, the fleshy pouch underneath your penis is called the scrotum.

Your GP may recommend an ultrasound scan to check the condition and function of the male testicles and scrotum. It can verify whether a lump in your scrotum or testicles is a solid mass or a cyst (fluid filled). It is used to evaluate the cause of scrotal swelling such as hydrocele (abnormal high fluid collection in the scrotum) and the cause of scrotal pain arising from orchitis, epididymitis and testicular torsion. Other indications for testicular scans are to find the location of an undescended testicle, assess the cause of infertility, rule out varicocele and to diagnose testicular cancer or its spread.

The actual procedure will usually take between 15-30 minutes and will involve the sonographer applying a warm water-based gel on to your testicles, this gel then allows the transducer or probe to glide over the targeted part of your body.