Usually the extent of any examination going on down there was the check for hernia. I had been accustomed to standing for them, but this doctor would lift my briefs while I'd be lying on the exam table. For the first few years I worked in my job and he was the plant physician, that's all it would be.
One year, and i can't remember if it was the year they had me watch a video on testicular cancer and checking, but I was laying on the exam table. he had just checked me for hernia, and right before he restored my briefs, I felt his ungloved fingers making a gentle sweep over my scrotum, making contact with my balls, but not really squeezing.
The next year he gave each one a gentle squeeze after the hernia check. Never announcing what he was doing. He would make small talk amidst telling me to take a deep breath or something. So each time he touched me with his ungloved hand, it came as a surprise, just simply because I wasn't used to a doctor touching me there or feeling them that way, and I wasn't expecting it.
Only one or 2 other doctors gave them to me. i used to alternate telling one doc that my masseuses usually take care of that (waiving the offer), and other times accept the offer, saying I need a professional opinion once in a while.
Like i could use right now. No doctor is touching my balls these days. Damn lawsuits and insurance companies.
To answer the question, I'd say they tried to be as gentle as they could be, yet having to apply a little pressure.