Knowledge | How Undescended Testicles Affect Male Fertility and Why Early Treatment Matters
As a new parent, you may closely watch every movement and breath your baby makes and may already be planning for a future college fund. Your child's future fertility may not be your first concern. However, if your baby boy is born with cryptorchidism, or an undescended testicle, it may require early attention.
Normally, the testicles descend from the abdomen into the scrotum, the skin pouch below the penis, during the final months before birth. Sometimes one or both testicles do not reach the correct position. This is called cryptorchidism and may affect future fertility.
In most cases, a testicle descends on its own within about six months after birth. If it does not, doctors usually recommend surgery. Early treatment is particularly important for fertility.
1. Why Does Cryptorchidism Affect Fertility?
Healthy sperm production requires the testicles to remain slightly cooler than the rest of the body. This is why they are normally located in the scrotum, away from the body's core.
An undescended testicle remains inside the body and is exposed to higher temperatures. This can reduce sperm count and quality, lowering the chance of conception and future biological fatherhood.
2. Why Is Surgery Needed During Infancy?
Doctors once recommended surgery near puberty. Current guidance recommends surgery at 6 to 12 months of age and no later than 18 months, based on extensive research.
The testicles undergo important changes early in infancy. If cryptorchidism is not corrected by about age 1, sperm-producing cells may gradually be lost. The longer the condition continues, the greater the risk that it will worsen.
3. How Much Does Cryptorchidism Affect Fertility?
Men with one undescended testicle may remain fertile, although the article states that fertility is often about half that of unaffected men. When treated surgically at a young age, fertility is often close to that of men who never had the condition.
Men with two untreated undescended testicles are likely to be infertile. Surgery to move both testicles into the scrotum can substantially improve fertility. Although fertility may remain below normal, early surgery has a major effect. For example, the article states that boys treated before age 2 have about five times the fertility of those treated at age 13.
4. Is Surgery Effective in Adults?
For adults with persistent cryptorchidism, surgery provides little improvement in fertility. These patients should discuss testicular cancer risk with a doctor. Cryptorchidism increases this risk, and an undescended testicle is difficult to examine for early signs of cancer.
Knowledge | How Undescended Testicles Affect Male Fertility and Why Early Treatment Matters
Knowledge | How Undescended Testicles Affect Male Fertility and Why Early Treatment Matters
As a new parent, you may closely watch every movement and breath your baby makes and may already be planning for a future college fund. Your child's future fertility may not be your first concern. However, if your baby boy is born with cryptorchidism, or an undescended testicle, it may require early attention.
Normally, the testicles descend from the abdomen into the scrotum, the skin pouch below the penis, during the final months before birth. Sometimes one or both testicles do not reach the correct position. This is called cryptorchidism and may affect future fertility.
In most cases, a testicle descends on its own within about six months after birth. If it does not, doctors usually recommend surgery. Early treatment is particularly important for fertility.
1. Why Does Cryptorchidism Affect Fertility?
Healthy sperm production requires the testicles to remain slightly cooler than the rest of the body. This is why they are normally located in the scrotum, away from the body's core.
An undescended testicle remains inside the body and is exposed to higher temperatures. This can reduce sperm count and quality, lowering the chance of conception and future biological fatherhood.
2. Why Is Surgery Needed During Infancy?
Doctors once recommended surgery near puberty. Current guidance recommends surgery at 6 to 12 months of age and no later than 18 months, based on extensive research.
The testicles undergo important changes early in infancy. If cryptorchidism is not corrected by about age 1, sperm-producing cells may gradually be lost. The longer the condition continues, the greater the risk that it will worsen.
3. How Much Does Cryptorchidism Affect Fertility?
Men with one undescended testicle may remain fertile, although the article states that fertility is often about half that of unaffected men. When treated surgically at a young age, fertility is often close to that of men who never had the condition.
Men with two untreated undescended testicles are likely to be infertile. Surgery to move both testicles into the scrotum can substantially improve fertility. Although fertility may remain below normal, early surgery has a major effect. For example, the article states that boys treated before age 2 have about five times the fertility of those treated at age 13.
4. Is Surgery Effective in Adults?
For adults with persistent cryptorchidism, surgery provides little improvement in fertility. These patients should discuss testicular cancer risk with a doctor. Cryptorchidism increases this risk, and an undescended testicle is difficult to examine for early signs of cancer.
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