Cryptorchidism

Probability of spontaneous self-descent in scrotum is low if the testicles do not descend within the first six months after birth - Ferhat Ateş et al

Cryptorchidism
Cryptorchidism

image by: The Urology Hospital, Pretoria

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Undescended Testicles Cryptorchidism

As an adult man, you may or may not be aware of having an “empty scrotum” when you were born. Either way, it may be affecting your fertility now. Cryptorchidism, especially if not treated properly, frequently results in impaired germ cell maturation, which results in infertility as an adult. If you are having difficulty conceiving, it might be worth an awkward conversation with your mom to find out if you were one of the male babies born before his testicle descended.

Also, men born with an undescended testicle have an increased risk of testicular cancer later in life, in both testicles, but even more so if the undescended testicle never descended, in part because it’s harder to examine…

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 Undescended Testicles Cryptorchidism

Abnormal testicular descent is fairly common (30% among premature babies and 1-4% of full term babies). It a major risk factor for infertility later in life. If you are having trouble conceiving, it might be worth poking into your past a little bit to see whether or not you had any early issues.

Cryptorchidism.blogspot.com

General thoughts about undescended testes.

American Urological Association

Cryptorchidism or undescended testis (UDT) is one of the most common pediatric disorders of the male endocrine glands and the most common genital disorder identified at birth. The main reasons for treatment of cryptorchidism include increased risks of impairment of fertility potential, testicular malignancy, torsion and/or associated inguinal hernia.

KidsHealth

As a baby boy grows inside his mother's womb, his testicles typically form inside his abdomen and move down (descend) into the scrotum shortly before birth. But in some cases, that move or descent doesn't occur, and the baby is born with a condition known as undescended testicles (or cryptorchidism). Cryptorchidism is the most common genital abnormality in boys, affecting approximately 30% of baby boys born prematurely and about 4% born at term.

MayoClinic

An undescended testicle is uncommon in general, but quite common among baby boys born prematurely. The vast majority of the time, the undescended testicle moves into its proper position on its own, within the first few months of life.

MedlinePlus

Most of the time, a boy’s testicles descend by the time he is 9 months old. Undescended testicles are fairly common in infants who are born early. The problem occurs less often in full-term infants. Testicles that do not naturally descend into the scrotum are considered abnormal. An undescended testicle is more likely to develop cancer, even if it is brought into the scrotum with surgery. Cancer is also more likely in the other testicle.

NHS

It is estimated that about one in every 25 boys are born with undescended testicles. In most cases, no action is necessary – the testicle(s) will move down into the scrotum naturally during the first three to six months. However, a small number of boys have testicles that stay undescended unless treated.

Patient

The European Association of Urology's Guidelines on Paediatric Urology suggest that undescended and maldescended testes should be categorised into palpable and non-palpable testes, as the location and existence of the testis affects clinical management. If there are bilateral non-palpable testes, there is increased risk of having other anomalies such as intersexuality and the prune belly syndrome. If there is any suggestion of sexual differentiation problems (eg hypospadias), urgent specialist referral for investigation, including genetic and endocrine investigation, is needed.

Your.MD

In around 80% of cases, only one of the testicles is affected. Most cases will resolve without treatment, although a small number of boys (0.7%-1%) have testicles that stay undescended into adulthood unless treated.

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