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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffAn undescended testicle is usually detected at birth. Therefore, your family doctor or pediatrician will continue to monitor the condition during regularly scheduled examinations, or well-baby visits, for your infant son. Because appointments can be brief and there are often a number of questions to address during infant checkups, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Write down a list of questions to discuss with your doctor. Questions regarding an undescended testicle might include:
- How often should we schedule appointments?
- How can I safely examine the scrotum at home to monitor any changes in the undescended testicle?
- When would you recommend seeing a specialist?
- What kinds of tests will my son need?
- What treatment options do you recommend?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend visiting?
The best time to your ask questions is at the beginning of the appointment, but don't hesitate to ask additional questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor will examine your infant son's groin. If a testicle isn't in the scrotum, he or she will try to locate it by lightly pressing against his skin. Your doctor may use a lubricant or warm, soapy water to ensure the comfort of your baby.
If your doctor feels the testicle somewhere in the inguinal canal, he or she will attempt to move it gently into the scrotum. If it moves only partway into the scrotum, if the movement appears to cause pain or discomfort, or if the testicle immediately retreats to its original location, it's considered an undescended testicle. If the testicle can be moved relatively easily into the scrotum and remain there for a while, it's most likely a retractile testicle.
If your son's testicle hasn't descended or cannot be located by the time your son reaches 3 or 4 months of age, your doctor will likely refer you to a specialist in children's genital and urinary tract disorders (pediatric urologist) or a pediatric surgeon for further examination.
- Elder J. Disorders and anomalies of the scrotal contents. In: Kliegman R, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders, Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/102535550-2/0/1608/1246.html?tocnode=54484554&fromURL=1246.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50547-8_9817. Accessed Aug. 15, 2008.
- Hutson JM, et al. Current management of the undescended testicle. Seminars in Pediatric Surgery 2007;16(1):64-70.
- Barthold JS. Undescended testis: Current theories of etiology. Current Opinion in Urology. 2008;18(4):395-400.
- Kelsberg G, et al. Clinical inquiries. When should a child with an undescended testis be referred to a urologist? Journal of Family Practice. 2006;55(4):336-337.
- Cooper, CS. Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism). www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 25, 2008.
- Esposito C, et al. Management of boys with nonpalpable undescended testis. Nature Clinical Practice Urology. 2008;5(5):252-60.
- Liptak GS. Genital defects. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec23/ch265/ch265d.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2008.
