What do undescended testicles look like?
If both testicles are undescended, the scrotum will look unusually small and flat. If only one testicle is affected, the scrotum may look lopsided. If your baby’s testicle appears to be “sometimes there and sometimes not,” we call that testicle retractile. It’s a normal condition that requires no treatment.
How do you know if your baby has an undescended testicle?
How Is Cryptorchidism Diagnosed? Doctors usually diagnose cryptorchidism during a physical exam at birth or at a checkup shortly after. Most undescended testicles can be located or “palpated” on exam by the doctor. In a few boys, the testicle may not be where it can be located or palpated, and may appear to be missing.
At what age does a boy’s testicles descend?
In most cases no treatment is necessary, as the testicles will usually move down into the scrotum naturally during the first 3 to 6 months of life.
What happens if a baby boy’s testicles don’t drop?
If the testicles don’t drop into the scrotum, they may not function normally and produce healthy sperm. This can lead to infertility later in life. Males born with undescended testicles also have a higher risk of testicular cancer in adulthood.
Can undescended testicle correct itself?
ANSWER: In many cases, an undescended testicle moves into the proper position on its own within the first few months after birth. If it hasn’t done so by the time a baby is 4 to 6 months old, though, it’s unlikely that the problem will correct itself.
Can a baby’s testicles go back up?
Sometimes a child is born with the testes in the scrotum, but they develop undescended testes later. As the child grows, the spermatic cord fails to grow at the same rate. It ends up too short, and pulls the testis back up into the groin.
Is undescended testicle genetic?
Cryptorchidism is a common congenital anomaly that shows familial clustering and increased prevalence in first-degree relatives, suggesting that genetic factors contribute to the etiology. Animal models and some human data suggest that environmental exposures may also contribute to risk.
Can undescended testes cause pain?
The main sign of undescended testes is one testis (a single testicle) or both testes missing from the scrotum. Undescended testes will not cause your child any problems with urination, and will not cause any pain, unless the cord attached to the testis (spermatic cord) becomes twisted.
How long is surgery for undescended testicle?
The operation normally takes about 1 hour and is usually performed as day surgery, which means your child will be able to return home on the same day.
What causes undescended testis?
The exact cause of an undescended testicle isn’t known. A combination of genetics, maternal health and other environmental factors might disrupt the hormones, physical changes and nerve activity that influence the development of the testicles.
How long does it take to recover from undescended testicle surgery?
You can expect your child to go back to most activities in 2 to 3 days. This surgery may increase the chances that your child will be able to father a child later in life. It also makes it easier to feel the testicles and check for testicular cancer later in life.
What is the most common complication of undescended testis?
Men who’ve had an undescended testicle have an increased risk of testicular cancer. The risk is greater for undescended testicles located in the abdomen than in the groin, and when both testicles are affected.
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Complications
- Testicular torsion.
- Trauma.
- Inguinal hernia.
Can you live with an undescended testicle?
Men with one undescended testicle can still have children, but their fertility is lower than normal by roughly half. If they have surgery to correct it, especially when younger, their fertility is about the same as if they never had a problem.
Is undescended testicle a birth defect?
Sometimes, one testis or both testes fail to descend, which is called undescended testis or undescended testicle. Undescended testicle is a birth defect that occurs in as many as 3% of boys, making it one of the most common birth defects seen. It is more common in premature infants than those born at full term.
Should undescended testicle be removed?
For adult males whose undescended testicles weren’t corrected during childhood, surgical options may vary . In such cases, the testicular tissue may not be functional, and it may come with a higher risk of testicular cancer. Therefore, your doctor may recommend the complete removal of undescended testicles.
Why does my son have 1 testicle?
An undescended testicle is a testicle that doesn’t fully sit within the scrotum. Instead, it’s in the groin or lower abdomen. This condition can happen to one or both testicles. Sometimes testicles can be undescended at birth.