Undescended Testicle

What is an undescended testicle?

While a baby boy is developing in the womb, the tissue that becomes the testicles (also called testes) begins to develop in the abdomen, just below the kidneys. Normally, as the baby develops, the testicles move down a canal, called the inguinal canal, into the scrotum, the sac that holds the testicles. When one or both of the testicles do not move down into the scrotum, it is called an undescended testicle. This condition is also called cryptorchidism, which means "hidden testicle".

Undescended Testes

Testes normally develop in the abdomen and travel down to the scrotum before birth. Occasionally a testis may stop anywhere along this path from high in the abdomen to above the scrotum.

How often does it occur?

Undescended testicles occur in about 3% of full-term baby boys. It is more common in premature babies. Depending on the degree of prematurity, it may be as common as 30%.

What is the cause of undescended testicles?

The causes of undescended testicle(s) are complex and not the same for every boy. It can be caused by problems with different hormones or developing tissue. A specialist in urology can give you more information about the cause of your son's condition.

Occasionally, one or both testicles do not descend because the testicle is not there at all. This can happen if there was an interruption of the blood supply to the testicles while the baby was developing and the testicles never formed.

What is the treatment?

After the baby is born, most undescended testicles will continue their normal descent. More than 66% of the time, the undescended testicle(s) will move into place naturally by the time your son is 6 months old. After 6 months, it is very unlikely that they will descend on their own.

If your child is older than 6 months, your health care provider will refer you to a urologist to review your treatment options. There are two types of treatment: hormone therapy and surgery. Hormone therapy has a low rate of success. Surgery is especially recommended in situations where hormone therapy is unlikely to work.

What are the complications?

Fifty to 75% of boys who had an undescended testicle will have fertility problems when they grow up. This is because an undescended testicle undergoes tissue changes when it does not descend normally. These tissue changes cause reduced sperm production. It is unknown whether treatment before 6 months of age helps to improve later fertility.

Boys who have had an undescended testicle also have an increased risk of hernias, urinary tract problems, and testicular cancer (only 1 in 2,000 will develop testicular cancer).

If your child also has problems with his penis, your doctor may send your child to a specialist in genetics.

When should you call your child's health care provider?

Call if:

• the testicle(s) has not descended by 6 months of age
• you have other concerns or questions