Is your son's testicle sometimes not visible? Let's talk about (Retractile Testicle)

Have you ever noticed that one of your little boy's testicles is sometimes not visible when you're bathing him or changing his diaper? At that time, you feel very scared and worried, don't you? It's normal to think, "Is something wrong with my son?" But as a mother or father, you shouldn't worry. Most of the time, this is nothing to be afraid of. Today, we're talking about this condition that scares many parents, but is usually not serious.

What does it mean when the testicles move up? (Retractile Testicle)

Simply put, a retractile testicle is a testicle in young boys that moves up and down between the scrotum and the groin. This means that sometimes when you look at it, the testicle is where it should be, and other times it moves up and down in the groin.

But the most important thing here is that the testicle that has moved up in this way can be easily and painlessly brought back down, that is, into the scrotum, by holding it with your hand . Once it is brought down, it stays there for a while.

So why is this going up again?

The reason for this is a very delicate muscle around our testicles. We call this the cremaster muscle . This muscle is what pulls the testicles closer to the body and away from it. This happens automatically. We call this the cremaster reflex .

There are several situations in which this muscle can suddenly contract:

• When you feel cold: Like when you bathe a child in cold water.
• When touched: When the area is touched, especially when being examined by a doctor.
• When a strong emotion arises: when the child is scared, laughs a lot, or gets upset.

At times like this, that muscle contracts and pulls the scrotum up. This reflex is very strong in young children. That's why this is often seen.

Is this something to be afraid of?

Most of the time, no . This is not a serious condition.

• This does not cause pain to the child.
• It has no effect on urination.
• Often, this condition goes away on its own as the child grows older, especially during puberty.

Therefore, if your doctor has confirmed that this is a ``Retractile Testicle'' condition, there is no need to worry too much about it.

What are the symptoms of this condition?

The main and only symptom is the occasional absence of one or both testicles from the scrotum.

• You should be able to easily bring that testicle back down without pain .
• When it was brought in, it stayed there for a while.
• When a child is bathed, especially in warm water, you may notice that both testicles have descended normally because the heat relaxes the cremaster muscle.

Can this cause complications?

Although this condition is usually not harmful, it is good to be aware of a few things that can happen very rarely.

1. Ascended Testicle: Sometimes, a testicle that has moved up and down in this way can become stuck in the upper part of the body and cannot be brought down again. This is what we call an "undescended testicle." This is a condition that requires treatment.

2. Impact on Fertility: Some studies suggest that if both testicles are constantly retracted (bilateral retractile testicles), it could have an impact on sperm motility in the future. However, this is also unlikely.

How does a doctor diagnose this exactly?

No major tests are needed to diagnose this. A doctor can confirm this with a physical exam .

When you take your child to the doctor, he or she will do these things:

• Calming the child: Since the cremaster muscle contracts when the child is scared, the first thing the doctor does is talk to the child and calm him down by giving him a toy.
• Changing the baby's position: The baby is tested by having the baby lie down and hold the legs in a lotus position, or by having the knees bent (squatting position). These positions relax the cremaster muscle.
• Bringing the testicle down: Then, the doctor will very gently try to bring the testicle down by holding it by hand.

If it comes down easily, without pain, and stays there for a while, he can confirm that this is a ``Retractile Testicle'' condition.

Does this require treatment?

Usually not . This condition improves on its own as the boy grows older, especially during puberty. As the testicles gain weight and the cremaster reflex weakens, they often start to stay in the scrotum.

However, the doctor will continue to monitor the child. He will check it about once a year to see if there is any change. If the testicle somehow moves up and stops (ascended testicle), then a small operation may be required. This operation is called Orchiopexy . It involves bringing the testicle down and slowly stitching it into the scrotum so that it cannot move up again. This is a very successful and simple operation.

The difference between retractile and undescended testicles

These two situations often confuse parents. It is very important to understand the exact difference between the two.

If the child has this condition, what should we do as parents?

As your child gets older and becomes more aware of their body, they may start to have problems with this. They may feel embarrassed, angry, or sad. There are a few things you can do at that time.

• Explain it simply: Explain it in a way that is appropriate for your child's age. You can tell a young child something simple like, "Son, one of your balls sometimes goes into hiding. It will come back in a little while. It's normal, and it will get better as you get older."
• Understand his feelings: If he feels sad or embarrassed about this, instead of saying, "Don't worry about it," try to make him understand by saying, "Yes, son, it's normal for you to feel that way, but it's not your fault."
• Show your love and support: Make him feel like you're always there for him. Make him feel confident that he can ask you any question he has.
• Prepare an answer for when someone asks: If someone asks you about this at school or while playing with friends, teach your child a simple answer that they can give. This will increase their self-confidence.

What are the times when we should see a doctor?

Once a doctor has confirmed that your child has a retractile testicle condition, you should continue to take your child for regular checkups. However, if you notice any of the following, don't waste any time and see a doctor.

• If the testicle that has moved up cannot be brought back down.
• If the child complains of pain in that area.
• If the scrotum or groin area appears swollen and red .
• If the size of the scrotum appears to have changed from before .

As these things can be signs of an emergency, it is very important to seek medical advice immediately.