Cryptorchidism: when the testicle does not go down
Cryptorchidism is a common problem in babies and occurs when the testicles do not go down into the scrotum, the sac that surrounds the testicles, normally the testicles descend into the scrotum during the last months of pregnancy and otherwise the baby is born without the testicles. in the usual place, which is easily observed by the pediatrician at birth or during the baby’s first visits.
- Your doctor notices that your baby’s testicle is not in the scrotum by feeling the scrotum immediately after the baby is born; If the testicle is not there.
- It can still go down on its own during the baby’s first year of life.
- Without requiring specific treatment.
- But if not.
- Surgery may be needed to place the testicle.
- Surgery is simple and fast and should be done before age 2.
Cryptorchidism can be classified as
Cryptorchidism has no symptoms, but cases of orchid, an infection of the testicle, some consequences of cryptorchidism may occur are infertility, hernias in the testicle and the onset of cancer in the testicle and to reduce these risks it is necessary to position the testicle in the right place even in childhood, in the early years of the baby’s life.
Treatment of cryptorchidism can be performed with hormone therapy, using testosterone injections or chorionic gonadotropin hormone, which help mature the testicle by lowering it to the scrotum, which resolves up to half of cases.
In cases where the use of hormones does not solve the problem, surgery is needed to release the testicle from the abdomen, this procedure is mainly used in unilateral cryptorchidism.
When the absence of testicles is detected in late stages, removal of the testicles may be necessary to avoid future complications for the individual, leaving it infertile.
Causes of cryptorcydism may include
Some of the mother’s risk factors, such as obesity, gestational diabetes, type 1 diabetes, smoking, and alcohol during pregnancy, can lead to the development of cryptorchidism in the baby.