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. Usually just one testicle is affected, but about 10 percent of the time both testicles are undescended.
An undescended testicle is uncommon in general, but common among baby boys born prematurely.
The vast majority of the time, the undescended testicle moves into the proper position on its own, within the first few months of life. If your son has an undescended testicle that doesn’t correct itself, surgery can relocate the testicle into the scrotum.
Symptoms
Not seeing or feeling a testicle where you would expect it to be in the scrotum is the main sign of an undescended testicle.
Testicles form in the abdomen during fetal development. During the last couple of months of normal fetal development, the testicles gradually descend from the abdomen through a tube-like passageway in the groin (inguinal canal) into the scrotum. With an undescended testicle, that process stops or is delayed.
When to see a doctor
An undescended testicle is typically detected when your baby is examined shortly after birth. If your son has an undescended testicle, ask the doctor how often your son will need to be examined. If the testicle hasn’t moved into the scrotum by the time your son is 4 months old, the problem probably won’t correct itself.
Treating an undescended testicle when your son is still a baby might lower the risk of complications later in life, such as infertility and testicular cancer.
Older boys — from infants to pre-adolescent boys — who have normally descended testicles at birth might appear to be “missing” a testicle later. This condition might indicate:
- A retractile testicle, which moves back and forth between the scrotum and the groin and might be easily guided by hand into the scrotum during a physical exam. This is not abnormal and is due to a muscle reflex in the scrotum.
- An ascending testicle, or acquired undescended testicle, that has “returned” to the groin and can’t be easily guided by hand into the scrotum.
If you notice any changes in your son’s genitals or are concerned about his development, talk to your son’s doctor.
Causes
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.
Risk factors
Factors that might increase the risk of an undescended testicle in a newborn include:
- Low birth weight
- Premature birth
- Family history of undescended testicles or other problems of genital development
- Conditions of the fetus that can restrict growth, such as Down syndrome or an abdominal wall defect
- Alcohol use by the mother during pregnancy
- Cigarette smoking by the mother or exposure to secondhand smoke
- Parents’ exposure to some pesticides
Complications
In order for testicles to develop and function normally, they need to be slightly cooler than normal body temperature. The scrotum provides this cooler environment. 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.
- Fertility problems. Low sperm counts, poor sperm quality and decreased fertility are more likely to occur among men who’ve had an undescended testicle. This can be due to abnormal development of the testicle, and might get worse if the condition goes untreated for an extended period of time.
Other complications related to the abnormal location of the undescended testicle include:
- 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.
- Trauma. If a testicle is located in the groin, it might be damaged from pressure against the pubic bone.
- Inguinal hernia. If the opening between the abdomen and the inguinal canal is too loose, a portion of the intestines can push into the groin.
Diagnosis
If your son has an undescended testicle, his doctor might recommend surgery for diagnosis and potential treatment:
- Laparoscopy. A small tube containing a camera is inserted through a small incision in your son’s abdomen. Laparoscopy is done to locate an intra-abdominal testicle.
The doctor might be able to fix the undescended testicle during the same procedure, but an additional surgery might be needed in some cases. Alternatively, laparoscopy might show no testicle present, or a small remnant of nonfunctioning testicular tissue that is then removed.
- Open surgery. Direct exploration of the abdomen or groin through a larger incision might be necessary in some cases.
After birth, if the doctor can’t detect any testicles in the scrotum, he or she might order further testing to determine if the testicles aren’t there at all rather than undescended. Some conditions that result in absent testicles can cause serious medical problems soon after birth if left undiagnosed and untreated.
Imaging tests, such as an ultrasound and MRI, generally aren’t recommended for diagnosing an undescended testicle.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to move the undescended testicle to its proper location in the scrotum. Treatment before 1 year of age might lower the risk of complications of an undescended testicle, such as infertility and testicular cancer. Earlier is better, but it’s recommended that surgery takes place before the child is 18 months old.
Surgery
An undescended testicle is usually corrected with surgery. The surgeon carefully manipulates the testicle into the scrotum and stitches it into place (orchiopexy). This procedure can be done either with a laparoscope or with open surgery.
When your son has surgery will depend on a number of factors, such as his health and how difficult the procedure might be. Your surgeon will likely recommend doing the surgery when your son is about 6 months old and before he is 12 months old. Early surgical treatment appears to lower the risk of later complications.
In some cases, the testicle might be poorly developed, abnormal or dead tissue. The surgeon will remove this testicular tissue.
If your son also has an inguinal hernia associated with the undescended testicle, the hernia is repaired during the surgery.
After surgery, the surgeon will monitor the testicle to see that it continues to develop, function properly and stay in place. Monitoring might include:
- Physical exams
- Ultrasound exams of the scrotum
- Tests of hormone levels
Hormone treatment
Hormone treatment involves the injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). This hormone could cause the testicle to move to your son’s scrotum. Hormone treatment is not usually recommended because it is much less effective than surgery.
Other treatments
If your son doesn’t have one or both testicles — because one or both are missing or didn’t survive after surgery — you might consider saline testicular prostheses for the scrotum that can be implanted during late childhood or adolescence. These prostheses give the scrotum a normal appearance.
If your son doesn’t have at least one healthy testicle, your child’s doctor will refer him to a hormone specialist (endocrinologist) to discuss future hormone treatments that would be necessary to bring about puberty and physical maturity.
Results
Orchiopexy, the most common surgical procedure for correcting a single descending testicle, has a success rate of nearly 100 percent. Fertility for males after surgery with a single undescended testicle is nearly normal, but falls to 65 percent in men with two undescended testicles. Surgery might reduce the risk of testicular cancer, but does not eliminate it.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Even after corrective surgery, it’s important to check the condition of the testicles to ensure they develop normally. You can help your son by being aware of the development of his body. Check the position of his testicles regularly during diaper changes and baths.
When your son is about to reach puberty and you’re talking about what physical changes to expect, explain how he can check his testicles himself. Self-examination of testicles will be an important skill for early detection of possible tumors.
Coping and support
If your son doesn’t have one or both testicles, he might be sensitive about his appearance. He might have anxieties about looking different from friends or classmates, especially if he has to undress in front of others in a locker room. The following strategies might help him cope:
- Teach your son the right words to use when talking about the scrotum and testicles.
- Explain that there are usually two testicles in the scrotum. If he’s missing one or both, explain what that means and that he’s still a healthy boy.
- Remind him that he’s not ill or in danger of illness.
- Talk to him about whether a testicular prosthesis is a good option for him.
- Help him practice a response if he’s teased or asked about the condition.
- Buy him loosefitting boxer shorts and swim trunks that might make the condition less noticeable when changing clothes and playing sports.
- Be aware of signs of worry or embarrassment, such as not participating in sports that he’d normally enjoy.
Preparing for your appointment
An undescended testicle is usually detected at birth. Your family doctor or pediatrician will continue to monitor the condition during regularly scheduled exams, or well-baby visits, for your infant son.
To prepare for your appointment, write down a list of questions to discuss with the doctor. Questions might include:
- How often should I schedule appointments?
- How can I safely examine the scrotum at home to monitor any changes in the undescended testicle?
- When would you recommend seeing a specialist?
- What kinds of tests will my son need?
- What treatment options do you recommend?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend?
Don’t hesitate to ask additional questions during your appointment.
What to expect from your doctor
Your child’s doctor will examine your infant son’s groin. If a testicle isn’t in the scrotum, he or she will try to locate it by lightly pressing against his skin. The doctor might use a lubricant or warm, soapy water for the exam.
If the doctor feels the testicle somewhere in the inguinal canal, he or she will attempt to move it gently into the scrotum. If it moves only partway into the scrotum, if the movement appears to cause pain or discomfort, or if the testicle immediately retreats to its original location, it might be an undescended testicle. If the testicle can be moved relatively easily into the scrotum and remain there for a while, it’s most likely a retractile testicle.
If your son’s testicle hasn’t descended or can’t be located by the time your son nears 6 months of age, the doctor will refer you to a specialist in children’s genital and urinary tract disorders (pediatric urologist) or a pediatric surgeon for further examination.
