Finally, as with any surgery on the testicles, an orchidopexy carries a risk of damaging the vas deferens, which is the tube connecting each testicle to the urethra. Cryptorchidism is a common and treatable condition in which one or both testicles does not drop into the scrotal sac while a male fetus is developing.
The condition resolves in 50 percent of cases without treatment. However, some infants with an undescended testicle require a procedure called an orchidopexy to correct the issue. If an undescended testicle does not receive treatment soon enough, there is a risk of infertility later in life. While the surgery carries risks, its outlook is good. Itchy testicles can cause physical and emotional distress. It can also be embarrassing to address the issue in public by scratching them.
In this…. In male hypogonadism, the testes do not produce enough testosterone and sperm. This can have a range of effects on the body, including delayed sexual…. White spots on the testicles are usually harmless, but they sometimes indicate a sexually transmitted infection or another health condition. Testicular torsion, or twisted testicle can be extremely painful. It needs urgent medical attention to restore blood flow and prevent loss of the….
Lumps and swellings in the testicle are typically harmless, although some can be a sign of testicular cancer. Regular self-exams can help spot the…. What is cryptorchidism, or an undescended testicle? Written by Adam Felman on September 24, About Symptoms Risk factors Causes Diagnosis Treatment Complications An undescended testicle has not moved into the scrotum, the bag of skin that hangs behind the penis, during the development of a fetus. What is cryptorchidism? Share on Pinterest The testicles should descend into the scrotum while the fetus is developing.
Risk factors. Share on Pinterest A premature birth increases the risk of cryptorchidism. Share on Pinterest A surgeon may perform an orchidopexy if the testicle has not descended by the time the baby reaches 6 months of age. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. What you need to know about male hypogonadism In male hypogonadism, the testes do not produce enough testosterone and sperm.
What do white spots on testicles mean? Complications of a testicle not being located where it is supposed to be include:. Testicular cancer. Testicular cancer usually begins in the cells in the testicle that produce immature sperm.
What causes these cells to develop into cancer is unknown. 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. Surgically correcting an undescended testicle might decrease, but not eliminate, the risk of future testicular cancer. Testicular torsion. Testicular torsion is the twisting of the spermatic cord, which contains blood vessels, nerves and the tube that carries semen from the testicle to the penis.
This painful condition cuts off blood to the testicle. If not treated promptly, this might result in the loss of the testicle. Testicular torsion occurs 10 times more often in undescended testicles than in normal testicles.
Undescended testicle care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview An undescended testicle cryptorchidism is a testicle that hasn't moved into its proper position in the bag of skin hanging below the penis scrotum before birth.
An undescended testicle is uncommon in general, but common among baby boys born prematurely. A retractile testicle doesn't require treatment because it's a normal condition.
But a pediatric specialist might need to do an exam to distinguish it from an undescended testicle. If a testicle has not descended on its own by the time a baby is 6 months old, he should be checked by a pediatric specialist and have treatment if the condition is confirmed.
This usually involves surgically repositioning the testicle into the scrotum. If surgery is done, it's likely to be an orchiopexy or-kee-oh-PEK-see. In this procedure, a small cut is made in the groin and the testicle is brought down into the scrotum, then fixed or "pexed" in place. Doctors usually do this on an outpatient basis with no overnight stay in the hospital , and most boys recover fully within a week.
Most doctors believe that boys who've had a single undescended testicle will have normal fertility and testicular function as adults, while those who've had two undescended testicles might be more likely to have reduced fertility.
Boys who've had undescended testicles should have regular follow-up appointments with a urologist to make sure that no problems develop. All boys — even those whose testicles have properly descended — should learn how to do a testicular self-exam when they're teens so that they can find any lumps or bumps that might be early signs of medical problems. Reviewed by: T. Ernesto Figueroa, MD. Urology at Nemours Children's Health.
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