If a boy's testicles have not descended by the time they are three to four months old then surgery may be needed to prevent fertility problems later in life.
Key points
Undescended testicle has not lowered into the scrotum.
Often, the condition corrects itself within the first few months of life.
Surgery may be needed if the testicle does not descend on its own.
If untreated, there is an increased risk of fertility problems.
Introduction
What is an undescended testicle?
Testicles form inside your son's body in utero. They move from the body through a tube in the groin. Then they descend into the scrotum before birth. The scrotum is the sac of skin hanging behind the penis.
An undescended testicle stays in the abdomen. The testicle has not lowered into the scrotum before birth. This is called cryptorchidism.
The condition is common among baby boys who are born premature. All male babies are checked at birth to make sure their testicles have descended.
Often, the testicle will descend on its own within the first few months of life. If it does not, your child may need surgery.
Left untreated, an undescended testicle can cause fertility problems when the boy becomes an adult.
Other kinds of problems with testicles include:
A retractable testicle, which moves back and forth between the scrotum and the groin.
An ascending testicle, which moves back into the groin.
You can feel for your son's testicles while changing diapers or while bathing. If the testicle does not descend on its own by three or four months, your child may need surgery.
Undescended testesTestes normally develop in the abdomen and travel down to the scrotum before birth. Occasionally a testis may stop anywhere along this path from high in the abdomen to above the scrotum.
Causes, risk factors and prevalence
Risk factors
Undescended testicles happen because of problems in fetal development. Risk factors that may increase the risk of problems in fetal development include:
premature birth
family history of undescended testicle
low birth weight
Treatment
How a doctor can help your child with an undescended testicle
If the testicle has not lowered into the scrotum, your son's doctor will try to manually move the testicle into the scrotum. If this does not work, the doctor may refer you to a specialist.
If the testicle has not descended on its own by three or four months, your child may need surgery. Surgery will be scheduled when your child is between one and two years of age.
Complications
Complications
Testicles need cool body temperature in the scrotum area to make sperm. An undescended testicle may be too warm to produce healthy sperm. This increases the risk of fertility problems.
When to seek medical attention
When to seek medical assistance
If you think a diagnosis of undescended testicles has been missed, see a doctor right away. See a doctor if you have any concerns about the area around your child's groin.
