Orchidometer/Tanner Balls

Haven't had it done to me medically or otherwise.

Would love to include it in both settings.

I had it done in the 80s

Like JakeNewYork and Bob1952, I think it's mainly done when there are issues with growth and development.

Sorry for being niaeve but can someone tell me what exactly tanner balls and an Orchidomer is ? Sounds interesting way of measuring development . But no idea what this is

Sorry for being niaeve but can someone tell me what exactly tanner balls and an Orchidomer is ? Sounds interesting way of measuring development . But no idea what this is

Tanner balls are one kind of orchidometer. They are a series of testicle shaped beadslinked together on a string, each marked with the volume (ml) that that particular bead represents.The doctor compares the testicle with the beads to find one of matching size and records the volume. If you have a look a JakeNewYork's avatar you will see a set.

Thanks Andrew . Ah yes but he has still got to make manual comparison . I was thinking calipersvor maybe displaced volume as a way of measuring testicle development.

I don't think it's usually necessary for the measurements to be especially accurate, it's more to show a trend over time.

In my case I had regular exams over approx 18 months. For the first 9 months or so there was no chnage at all in the size of my testes or penis, then a noticeable change over about 3 months before settling down again.

I've had it done in a play exam before. It's very sexy and intimidating because I wanted to "measure up" as it were. Great fun being tugged and felt by Doc in one hand while he has the Tanner in the other.

I love the orchidometer as @titusmountjoy said it's very sexy and intimidating and in a school medical exam it's perfect to measure the patient development.

Never had this done in any exams that I've had.

That never happened in any medicals I had growing up, but the doctor did examine my testes, which I imagine was checking for them having descended and later for size and any abnormalities.

Yes. I had an andrologist use this device to measure my testicles. He said I was at the upper range in volume, for whatever that's worth.

I had regular testicular exams by a pediatrician between the ages of 10 and 15. She never used an orchidometer. I learned about this device as an adult. I often fantasize about an orchidometer examination. I imagine myself as a young man. I'm about to be examined and I see the orchidometer ready. I know I'll have to take off my underwear and undergo a testicular exam. The sight of those large ovals evokes both embarrassment and arousal.

When I first saw these things, I thought they were horseshit.

Actual testicles don't come in those colors, I thought, and aren't exactly that accessible either.

Nice beads. Isn't something missing here?

I wasn't familiar with this "tool," and as far as I recall, no doctor ever used it on me.

English Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchidometer

French Wikipedia: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchidom%C3%A8tre

I am quoting an excerpt from the French Wikipedia article: "use of the Prader orchidometer overestimates actual testicular volume by approximately 25%."

Tally me up in the "never" had this done column. Heard occasional references to it though.

Had it done once when i was 14. Very embarrassing

Had it done once when i was 14. Very embarrassing

"drop them drawers boy. Imma check your balls."

Or something like that.

During my pubertal examinations, my pediatrician almost every time used an orchidometer to assess the development of my testicles. I was examined standing on my back on the table with sligthly spreaded legs. The doctor first palpated each testicle separately to assess its position, consistency, and approximate size.

He then compared each testicle with the individual oval beads of the orchidometer, holding the instrument next to the scrotum and selecting the bead that most closely matched the size of the testicle. The estimated volume was recorded separately for the right and left sides and compared with measurements from previous visits.

From my perspective, the examination was more embarrassing than painful. The palpation produced some pressure and occasional mild discomfort, particularly when each testicle was handled. At times, each testicle was gently drawn so that the spermatic cord could also be assessed and this gave an akward feeling of having it separated from the body.

These measurements were repeated approximately every six months during puberty to monitor the progression of testicular growth alongside the other signs of pubertal development required in Tanner staging.