Retractile testicle is a condition in which the testicle rises through the inguinal canal, being able to hide in the groin region, which happens especially due to involuntary contractions of the cremaster muscle, which is the muscle that connects the testicle to the abdominal region, which can occur several times. times a day, causing the testicles to rise, whether stimulated to do so or not.
Retractile testicles are very common in childhood due to the development of abdominal muscles, but can occur during adulthood, caused by cold climates, dangerous situations or even due to a short spermatic cord, for example.
Generally, the testicles return to their natural position a few minutes after rising, but they can also be repositioned using your hand and making gentle movements over the place where the scrotum connects to the abdomen. However, if the testicle does not descend or pain or swelling appears, it is advisable to go to the hospital, or consult a urologist, to assess whether there is a problem that needs to be treated.
Retractile testicle symptoms
The main symptoms of retractile testicle are:
- Rising of the testicle to the groin region spontaneously;
- Testicle does not descend to normal position, spontaneously or after being manually manipulated;
- Absence of the testicle in its normal position for a while.
In the presence of these symptoms, it is important to consult a urologist so that the cause of the retractile testicle can be assessed and the most appropriate treatment initiated, if necessary.
What is the difference between retractile testicle and cryptorchidism?
Cryptorchidism is a congenital condition in which the baby’s testicles do not descend into the testicular sac at the end of pregnancy, which may affect one or both testicles.
During embryonic development, the testicles develop within the abdominal cavity and descend into the scrotum in the final months of pregnancy or up to 6 months of life. When this does not happen, or the testicles descend but over time rise again, it is called cryptorchidism. Understand better what cryptorchidism is and how it is treated.
The retractile testicle, on the other hand, can appear in childhood or adulthood, causing one or both testicles to rise, and is generally related to the contraction of the cremaster muscle.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of retractile testicle is made by a urologist, in the case of adults, or a pediatrician, in the case of children, through a physical examination of the testicular sac and the position of the testicle.
Generally, no additional tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis of retractile testicle.
Main causes of retractile testicle
The retractile testicle is caused by the involuntary movement of the cremaster muscle, and there are some situations that can stimulate this movement, such as:
1. During or after the relationship
Sexual intercourse is a moment of pleasure in which several muscles in the body, especially those in the intimate region, contract involuntarily in response to the stimulus created by the sensation of pleasure. One of these muscles is the cremaster and, therefore, the testicles can rise to the abdominal region, especially during orgasm.
Normally, in these cases, the testicle does not disappear completely, remaining stuck to the upper region of the scrotum, however, many men have a more open canal in the transition between the scrotum and the abdomen, which can cause the testicles to disappear, without this being necessary. sign of a problem.
2. Cold climates
To function properly and produce sperm and hormones, the testicles need to be in an environment about 2 to 3 degrees cooler than body temperature and, for this reason, they are located in the scrotum and outside the body.
However, when the environment becomes very cold around the body, the temperature in the scrotum region can drop too much and also affect the testicles. In this way, the body produces an involuntary movement so that the scrotum contracts and the testicles rise to the abdominal region, with the aim of regulating the temperature.
3. Dangerous situations
Since the testicles are located in a bag outside the body, and are not protected by any bone, they are more exposed to blows and trauma that can cause damage to their structure and function.
To prevent this from happening, the body has a natural defense mechanism so that the muscle that holds the testicles contracts and pulls them towards the abdominal region, in order to keep them better protected. It is for this reason that the testicles can rise when a man feels afraid or hears an impressive story, for example.
4. Short spermatic cord
The spermatic cord is the structure created by the muscles and small vessels that are attached to the testicle, helping it to remain hanging inside the testicle.
In some situations, especially in young people and children, this cord may not develop completely or grow at a very slow rate, which does not keep up with the body’s growth. In these cases, the testicle will be closer to the abdomen and, depending on the size of the cord, it may even end up moving up into the belly. This problem usually resolves itself after adolescence.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment of retractile testicles must be carried out under the guidance of a pediatrician or urologist, and in most cases no specific treatment is necessary, as the testicles return to their normal position naturally or by making gentle movements with the hands over the cremaster muscle in the region. of the abdomen.
Furthermore, it is important to have medical follow-up once a year, as if the testicle becomes stuck in the inguinal region, surgery may be necessary.
Possible complications
The retractile testicle is rarely related to complications, however, as the testicle rises into the abdomen there is a greater risk of it not descending again and may become stuck.
Furthermore, other complications that may arise are:
- Increased risk of developing testicular cancer;
- Testicular torsion;
- Fertility problems;
- Inguinal hernia.
Therefore, it is important to consult a urologist or pediatrician, undergoing annual medical monitoring, in order to avoid complications from the retractile testicle.
When to go to the doctor
Almost always, the testicle rises and falls again, and this is not a situation that requires special attention. However, it is important to go to the hospital or see a urologist when:
- The testicle does not descend after 10 minutes;
- Severe pain or swelling appears in the scrotum region;
- If you have suffered a strong blow to the intimate area.
Cases in which the testicle rises and does not come down again are more common in babies or children and are generally related to a case of cryptorchidism, in which the channel between the scrotum and the abdomen does not allow the testicle to descend, which can be surgery is necessary. See how treatment is carried out in these cases.
