Question
My child has only one testicle since birth, and I haven’t paid much attention to it before. Now that they are already a certain age, I don’t know how to handle it. I’m very worried. What should I do?
Answer
Hello! Your child’s condition is cryptorchidism, which means one testicle has not descended into the scrotum and is stuck at any point during its normal descent process. If you find that there are no testicles or only one side in your child’s scrotum, you should seek medical attention immediately. Children under one year of age have a chance for the testicle to descend into the scrotum spontaneously with medication, but if it exceeds two years, surgical treatment should be considered. Surgery before the age of two has a smaller impact on the spermatogenic function of the testicle, while after four years the impact is significant, and after eight years it is extremely significant. After twelve years, even with surgery, the spermatogenic function of the testicle cannot be restored. Therefore, orchidopexy should be performed before the age of two. We recommend seeking medical attention as soon as possible and not delaying any further time.