Testis elevated every fifth boy affected

Testicular uplift can lead to infertility
The testicles develop in the unborn child in the abdominal cavity. From there they usually migrate into the scrotum. If this does not happen or if the gonads continue to wander back and forth, there is the so-called undescended testicle, which affects about every fifth boy. In most cases, the problem is self-evident. Nevertheless, parents of affected boys should keep an eye on testicular deficiencies and - if the phenomenon does not disappear in the first year of life - act early. Although the malformation causes no discomfort, but untreated leads to infertility. In addition, the risk of developing testicular cancer later in life increases. This is indicated by the Uro-GmbH Nordrhein, an association of established urologists.

Normally, the testicles of the boy still wander in the womb in the scrotum. In some infants, the male gonads responsible for semen production remain in the abdomen or groin. In some children, they also move back and forth between scrotum and groin, it can be affected only one testicle. Sperm production can not proceed properly inside the body. "Temperatures are one to two degrees too high for seminal tissue," explains urologist Dr. med. Reinhold Schaefer of the Uro-GmbH North Rhine. "Therefore, a testicular uptake should be resolved at best until reaching the age of one, otherwise it will be difficult for the boys, later to become a father." To make matters worse, that the genitals are often still a taboo subject for parents. Also in the context of the U-investigations, an undescended testicle is often overlooked. For example, because the testicles are in the scrotum at the moment of examination, but otherwise always wander into the body. Therefore, parents should control themselves regularly. "If it happens that the testicles migrate, it helps the urologist in the choice of the right therapy, if parents lead a testicular protocol," adds Dr. med. Shepherd. Here, parents check three times a day, if the gonads sit where they belong.

Together with the urologist it will be decided if and how it will be treated. In most cases, therapy starts with a hormone. Through a nasal spray, the boys get thereby hormones, which improve the development of testicular tissue. In some cases, such a treatment is enough. If not, the procedure is gentle and minimally invasive. "The procedure has low side effects and leads to success in almost all cases," explains Dr. med. Shepherd. That's good news for the boys, who will probably hardly remember the treatment later!