Every mother worries about her baby. As usual, most of the fears of women are psychological in nature. But there are a number of pathologies that are detected at birth. They can be of a different nature, cases of self-healing are often found. But precisely these pathologies require constant monitoring and control by both parents and doctors.
Cryptorchidism
This word is called a disease when the boys drop their testicles at a wrong time. This phenomenon is quite common. They can independently go through the channels during the first year of life. If this does not happen, then they are prescribed surgical overthrow. The operation is required, because if there is no lowering, then the testicles will lose their reproductive function.
Physiology
Initially, the testes form in the body at 6-7 weeks of life in the womb. They are located in the abdominal cavity of the fetus. Their growth and development is affected by the level of hormones. After a period of 30 weeks, they begin to sink into the scrotum.
However, quite often there are cases when the boys drop their testicles
not
right away.
The diagnosis is made immediately after birth. During the first year of life, no treatment is required, since everything can normalize on its own. If during examination a year deviations are also noticeable, then treatment is prescribed. It is selected depending on the course of the disease and the general condition of the child.
So, it can be hormonal drugs to stimulate the development of the testicles. Surgery is also often recommended. The age of the boy for operations varies from a year to five years.
Causes
The reason for the occurrence of the disease can be different. In this list, the lack of hormones of androgens and gonadotropins. In cases where the testicles fall in boys not immediately because of their underdevelopment, treatment is carried out with hormonal drugs. This gives a tangible result and contributes to a quick recovery.
There are cases that in the process of transferred infections inside the womb, a boy develops adhesions in the channels along which the testicle moves. This is diagnosed with laparoscopy and immediately corrected.
Kinds
It’s not uncommon for boys to drop their testicles one remains in the abdominal cavity or in the canal on the way to the scrotum. This variant of the disease is diagnosed and treated in the same ways as in the case when both testicles do not fall.
Details and features of each child are revealed strictly during examination by a doctor.
Often, ultrasound is used to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment . This allows you to accurately determine where the testicles are in boys.
Free movement
The child’s body is designed in such a way that, at the slightest suspicion of danger, a protective reaction is activated. The most important reproductive organ of a man is attached to special muscles. So, the testicles in boys can be drawn in when the ambient temperature changes or when touched.
In such cases, no treatment is required. The scrotum will fill up completely as soon as the time comes for this. The fact is that her muscles also have several layers and must mature in order to provide reliable protection to the testicles.
Terms of treatment
There are many disagreements on this issue. Some argue that the operation should be carried out as soon as possible after a year. The argument is that the testicle, being in the abdominal cavity, undergoes overheating, and this may affect its further functioning. There are also observations that, being in the peritoneum, it changes the membrane.
Another opinion is that up to 5 years it does not matter if the testicle descends a year earlier or later. That changes in their cover is a normal physiological process. And operations at an earlier age are more difficult to tolerate. According to these recommendations, the intervention should be performed at 4 years.
Thus, it is clear that there is no unequivocal answer to the question of at what age the testicles descend. It depends on the heredity and physiology of each child. The main indicator in this situation is time. That is, the longer the changes persist, the more surgery is indicated. The observation of the baby by the specialist and parents will be of key importance. Thanks to this, you can adjust the treatment at the right time and save the boy from problems in the future.
Operation
What to do if the testicle does not fall after undergoing a medical course of treatment? Surgical intervention to adjust the position of the testicles can be of two types:
- Open type - one medium-sized incision is made on the abdomen. Then they find the desired element and direct it into the scrotum.
- Laporoscopy - an operation consists of several small punctures in the abdominal cavity, special tubes are inserted into them, with which the testicle is sent to the right place.
Cryptorchidism in adults
The movement of one or two testicles can occur in both a teenager and an adult male. As a rule, this becomes the result of some kind of trauma or past illness. So, if the testicle is in the abdominal cavity for some time, then it may be necessary to remove it. Such an organ loses its viability, while maintaining it, there is a risk of developing tumors. This happens due to a violation of his blood circulation and exposure to elevated temperature.
But even if the operation was performed on time and the testicle was saved, it is necessary to regularly undergo an examination. This is necessary to identify various complications in the early stages.