A physical examination is an important aspect of staying healthy. Physicals should be performed yearly and often for adolescents before entrance into sports.

What happens when I have my physical?

The physician may examine your eyes, ears, nose, throat, mouth, stomach, back, legs and arms.

Another important part of this examination involves the examination of the genitals and the scrotum. The scrotum is the bag of skin that holds and helps protect the testicles. The testicles make sperm, and to do this, the temperature of the testicles needs to be cooler than the inside of the body. This is why the scrotum is located outside of the body.

During the physical examination, the physician will examine the genitals, including the penis and testicles. The physician may ask the teenager to cough while examining the scrotum. Although this can be embarrassing for an adolescent male, it is necessary to help evaluate the presence of hernias or tumors.

It is important to know, as an adolescent male, that although this part of the physical may be embarrassing, it is necessary to make sure there are no problems.

What is a hernia?

A hernia is when part of the intestine, or bowel, pushes down inside the scrotum from the abdomen. If a person has a hernia, this part of the bowel can become trapped inside the scrotum, causing serious problems. The physician checks for this by having the male cough while feeling inside the scrotal sac. Hernias may be felt as the person coughs and the bowel is pushed downwards. Hernias can be corrected with surgery.

What are tumors?

Tumors are growths that occur throughout the body, including the testicles. Testicular tumors in adolescents are rare, but the physician may check for this during the examination. The physician will instruct the male how to perform self-examinations.

Will the exam include information on sexual activity?

Your doctor or nurse will routinely talk with you about sexual attraction and sexual activity and encourage you to ask questions you may have about sexual activity. If you are sexually active, thinking of becoming sexually active or have questions about sex or attractions, talk to your doctor about this at your exam. It may seem embarrassing but your doctor is trained to talk to you about these issues and the conversation is confidential.

If you are sexually active, we will usually give you information about condom use and how to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV. We will also often suggest that you have an STD screening for sexually transmitted diseases, depending on what kind of sexual exposures you have had and what protection you have used. This testing is confidential.
Read more about STDs

Are there specialized services for me if I am gay, bisexual or transgender?

Yes, our doctors and nurses routinely treat both straight and GLBTQ youth, as well as young men and women who aren't yet sure, or have had a wanted or unwanted same sex experience in the past. If you share this information with us in private, we will respect your privacy, but we will also be able to provide you with the information, services, prevention care and screenings you may need in the privacy of your clinic visit here. We can also help with referrals to get more information and support for yourself and/or your parents.
General Resources for GLBTQ Youth