On a longer-term basis, guys can help ensure a healthy penis

It's crucial that a man makes sure he has a healthy penis and part of that process is a routine doctor examination. Adult men usually need to go for a physical exam every year and for most men this exam will include a look at the penis and testicles. Is there anything a man needs to do to prepare for this, other than practice the usual proper penis care on a daily basis?

What's involved

When a man gets a physical, the doctor wants to assess his overall health. This means that s/he wants to do a relatively quick overview to get a picture of the total health of the male in question. If a doctor sees signs from this quick overview of a potential issue, s/he may make a portion of the exam more thorough or s/he may arrange for a separate appointment (sometimes with a specialist) to better assess whether an issue is present.

The genital examination of the patient will therefore occupy only a small portion of the total exam. Usually there are four parts to this segment of the check-up:

- Testicle check. The doctor needs to make sure that there are no issues with the testicles, such as a cyst or other lump or growth. Many times such growths are benign; other times they may be a symptom of another problem, such a lymph node blockage or even cancer. In order to do this, s/he needs to hold the testicles in his/her hands and gently feel for lumps.

- Penis analysis. Similarly, the doctor is going to need to hold the penis and move it around so that he may check for signs of STIs, as well as more benign issues such as dry skin or balanitis.

- Hernia inspection. As part of the doctor's determination of a possible hernia, s/he will conduct the famous "Turn your head and cough" routine. While the doctor holds the testicles, the patient coughs. This enables the doctor to determine if the movement caused by the coughing is correct or could indicate hernia issues.

- Prostate prod. Often the least favorite part of the exam, the doctor must stick a finger into the patient's anus in order to examine the prostate. This enables him/her to see if the size of the prostate is normal and if there are any suspicious lumps or signs that may need attention.

What to do

Most men who practice regular penis care don't need to do anything out of the ordinary to prepare for the exam. However, some men do prefer to take a few extra steps. These might include:

- Washing the genitals shortly before leaving for the appointment. Penis odor can be embarrassing to the patient and off-putting to the doctor.

- Refraining from sex (partner or solo) on the day of the exam. Again, the aroma can be an issue. Some men like to masturbate immediately before an exam, as they are afraid of getting an erection during the exam. This concern needs to be weighed with the possibility that they will be exhibiting evidence of semen on their penis when it is presented to the doctor.

- Wearing loose-fitting pants and underwear. Tight jeans may cause crotch sweat.

On a longer-term basis, guys can help ensure a healthy penis to present to their doctor by regularly using a quality penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). Daily use of a crème that contains both a natural hydrator (like vitamin E) and a high-end emollient (Shea butter is excellent) is going to keep the penis well-moisturized and help prevent rashes and dry, flaky skin. But a man shouldn't stop there; he needs to make sure the crème also contains vitamin A. Why? Because vitamin A has anti-bacterial properties that are excellent at attacking the bacteria that can cause persistent penis odors. Both the patient and the doctor will be more at ease during the exam if the patient's penis is not emitting an embarrassing odor.
for more information about treating common penis health problems, including soreness, redness and loss of penis sensation. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men's health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous online web sites.