Private Parts II: More things parents of boys need to know

While it can be uncomfortable for parents to talk about issues with their son’s private parts, abnormalities in the testicles and scrotum are common and treatable. One of my favorite parts of my job is sitting down with anxious families and being able to make the uncomfortable comfortable for them. I hope I can do that for you here in this guide to the most common testicular abnormalities seen in young boys. 1.    Undescended testicles A baby boy should have two testicles down in the scrotum. The best time to examine your son is while he soaks in a warm bath. If you’re unable to see or feel both testicles, make an appointment with a pediatric urologist. If your son is diagnosed with an undescended testicle or cryptorchidism, we’ll observe him until he turns six months old. If at that point, the testicle hasn’t descended on its own, we’ll perform an orchiopexy to release the testicle from the attachments hindering its descent and tack it down in the scrotum so it can develop appropriately. Orchiopexy is an uncomplicated hour-long day surgery, so you can take your son home the same day as the procedure. Your son will be pretty comfortable after surgery and will fully recover within a month. He’ll be prescribed pain medications for a few days and restricted from activities like bike-riding for a few weeks. 2.    Testicular pain If your son complains of a swollen scrotum and sharp pain that may or may not be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, take him to the ...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Ask the Expert Health & Wellness Department of Urology Erin McNamara Source Type: news