Undescended TesticleSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Undescended Testicle
Undescended testicle occurs when one or both testicles fail to move into the scrotum before birth.
Cryptorchidism; Empty scrotum - undescended testes; Scrotum - empty (undescended testes); Monorchism; Vanished testes - undescended; Retractile testes
Most of the time, a boy's testicles descend into the scrotum by the time he is 6 months old. Undescended testicles are common in infants who are born early. The problem occurs less in full-term infants.
Some babies have a condition called retractile testes and the health care provider may not be able to find the testicles. In this case, the testicle is normal, but is pulled back out of the scrotum by a muscle reflex. This occurs because the testicles are still small before puberty. The testicles will descend normally at puberty and surgery is not needed.
Testicles that do not naturally descend into the scrotum are considered abnormal. An undescended testicle is more likely to develop cancer, even if it is brought into the scrotum with surgery. Cancer is also more likely in the other testicle.
Bringing the testicle into the scrotum can improve sperm production and increase the chances of good fertility. It also allows the provider to do an exam for the early detection of cancer.
In other cases, no testicle may be found, even during surgery. This may be due to a problem that occurred while the baby was still developing before birth.
Most of the time there are no symptoms other than the absence of the testicle in the scrotum. (This is called an empty scrotum.)
In most cases, the testicle will descend without treatment during the child's first year. If this does not occur, treatment may include:
- Hormone injections (B-HCG or testosterone) to try to bring the testicle into the scrotum.
- Surgery (orchiopexy) to bring the testicle into the scrotum. This is the main treatment.
Having surgery early may prevent damage to the testicles and avoid infertility. An undescended testicle that is found later in life may need to be removed. This is because the testicle is not likely to function well and could pose a risk for cancer.
C. S. Mott Children's Hospital
Dr. Kraft is clinical associate professor in the Department of Urology at the University of Michigan and practices pediatric urology at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor.She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. She pursued her urology residency at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA and then completed a fellowship in pediatric urology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Kraft’s clinical interests include minimally invasive surgery and endourology in children, pediatric andrology, and disorders of sex development. She is currently pursuing clinical research in pediatric stone disease, uroradiology, spina bifida, and adolescent varicocele. With her interest in graduate medical education, Dr. Kraft serves as the Urology Residency Program Director and oversees urology postgraduate training at the University of Michigan. Dr. Kraft is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Undescended Testicle. She is also highly rated in 24 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Undescended Testicle, Posterior Urethral Valves, Hypospadias, Lithotripsy, and Ureteroscopy.
Niels Skakkebaek practices practicing medicine in Copenhagen, Denmark. Mr. Skakkebaek is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Undescended Testicle. He is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Undescended Testicle, Testicular Cancer, Leydig Cell Testicular Tumor, and Klinefelter Syndrome.
ETSU Physicians & Associates- Pediatric Surgery
Lesli Taylor is a Pediatric Surgeon practicing medicine in Johnson City, Tennessee. Dr. Taylor is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Undescended Testicle. She is also highly rated in 6 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Infantile Pyloric Stenosis, Pilonidal Sinus Disease, Retroperitoneal Inflammation, and Undescended Testicle. Dr. Taylor is board certified in American Board Of Surgery.
Most of the time, the problem goes away without treatment. Medicine or surgery to correct the condition is successful in most cases. Once the condition is corrected, you should have routine testicle exams by your provider.
In about 50% of males with undescended testicles, the testicles cannot be found at the time of surgery. This is called a vanished or absent testis. As stated earlier, it may be due to something while the baby was still developing during pregnancy.
Complications may include:
- Damage to the testicle from surgery
- Infertility later in life
- Testicular cancer in one or both testes
Contact your child's provider if he appears to have an undescended testicle.
Summary: This is a randomized trial designed to evaluate testicular outcomes after a single stage versus a two-stage surgical procedure to fix an undescended, one-sided testicle located in the abdomen. Also to determine and compare the costs, surgical complications and the health related quality of life for the two procedures. Testicular outcomes will be measured using a scrotal ultrasound 6-12 months afte...
Summary: This randomized, double-blind study compares the postoperative analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided Posterior Quadratus Lumborum Block (QLB) versus Quadroiliac Plane Block (QIPB) in pediatric patients aged 1-7 years undergoing unilateral undescended testis surgery.
Published Date: July 01, 2025
Published By: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Di Carlo HN, Crigger CB. Disorders and anomalies of the scrotal contents. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 582.
Kraft KH. Etiology, diagnosis, and management of the undescended testis. In: Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, et al, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 57.
Robertson RP. Testicular dysgenesis syndrome and testicular tumors. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 115.