It is the condition where the testicles do not descend into the scrotum (scrotum) after birth. Normally, the testicles develop in the abdomen while the baby is in the womb and descend into the scrotum before birth. undescended testicle In some cases, this process is not completed. Usually, one or both testicles remain in the abdomen or groin area. If left untreated, the risk of infertility or testicular cancer may increase in the future. Treatment involves surgically moving the testicles into the correct position.
What are the symptoms of undescended testicles?
It is noticed that one or both testicles are missing from the scrotum. The scrotum may appear smaller than normal or may be asymmetrical. The testicle cannot be felt by hand where it would normally be in the scrotum. A doctor's examination may reveal that the testicle is in the abdomen or groin. undescended testicle Sometimes it can be felt as a swelling or mass in the groin area.
Because the testicle has not descended into the scrotum and remains in the groin area. Although bilateral is rare, it indicates additional problems with sexual development. undescended testicle If left untreated, the risk of infertility and the possibility of developing testicular cancer increases later in life.
What Causes Undescended Testicles?
The descent of the testicles depends on the regular secretion of certain hormones. If these hormones are deficient or unbalanced, the testicles may not descend. Certain genetic diseases or chromosomal disorders can affect the descent of the testicles. For example, conditions such as Prader-Willi or Klinefelter syndromes are associated. In premature babies, the descent of the testicles may not be complete. This is because the descent of the testicles usually occurs in the late stages of pregnancy.
Structural defects in the abdominal membrane or groin area prevent this process during the descent of the testicles into the scrotum. Smoking, alcohol use, and certain medications by the mother during pregnancy negatively affect fetal development. undescended testicle It can lead to a condition. It is noticed in infancy and is usually corrected with surgical intervention. If left untreated, it can lead to complications such as infertility and testicular cancer in later ages.
How Is Undescended Testicle Diagnosed?
The doctor will perform a physical examination shortly after birth. He or she will check to see if the testicles have descended into the scrotum. During this examination, the doctor will try to feel the testicles with his or her hands. If the testicles cannot be found during the physical examination, the doctor will use imaging methods such as ultrasound. He or she can determine where the testicles are. Ultrasound can show whether the testicles are in the abdomen, groin, or scrotum. If they cannot be found with ultrasound, he or she will use laparoscopy.
In this procedure, the abdomen is examined with a thin camera and the location of the testicle is determined. In some cases, undescended testicle The condition can be caused by hormonal problems. For this reason, the doctor may order blood tests to measure hormone levels. Diagnosis is usually made within the first few months after the baby is born. However, sometimes it may not be noticed until puberty. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for the normal functioning of the testicles and to reduce the risk of infertility.
How is Undescended Testicle Treated?
In babies, the testicles may descend on their own in the first months. Doctors may sometimes wait a few months. They may observe the testicles descending naturally into the scrotum. Gonadotropin hormone injections (hCG) can sometimes help the testicles descend into the scrotum. However, hormonal treatment is generally a less preferred option because it is not always effective and surgery offers a more permanent solution.
If the testicles do not descend naturally into the scrotum, surgical intervention is recommended after the age of one. In this procedure, the surgeon lowers the testicle into the scrotum and fixes it. Orchiopexy is the most common and effective treatment method. The operation is usually performed before the child reaches the age of one and is largely successful. If the testicle is located in the abdomen and cannot be felt from the outside, the testicle is found by laparoscopic method. It is lowered into the scrotum. undescended testicle It should be treated. It is extremely important to prevent future health problems.
