Does anyone know much about undescended testes?

[MissMuppet]

DS was 3 weeks early. He had them descended at birth, but they were later found to be retractile. He also had a hernia. He had an operation at 18 months to bring them down and fix the hernia. One was found to have suffered damage and be smaller and so he's at risk of fertility problems and cancer also.

I have so much guilt over it not having been discovered earlier and fixed earlier, even though he had seen a paed regularly from birth and she had not expressed any concern.

[summastarlet]

Subscribing as DS may have this problem. Had an ultrasound and waiting to go back to doctor.

[beebs]

Oh wow, Missmuppet - it isn't your fault. That is why there are trained medical professionals that check them out - that is their job and they should have picked it up.

DS1 will be 7 when he has his op - should be soon, we've been on the waiting list for ages.

[beebs]

My DH also has one testes - he had a terrible accident when he was a child involving a stick

But it didn't stop him producing 4 kids (twins included) and we didn't need any help.

So re the infertility thing - as long as they have 1 then they should be ok.

[Mmumm]

MissMuffet - argh sounds the same as me but I've been told retractile is nothing to worry about. Now I'm worried.
Is it OTT to get a 2nd opinion?

[Notably Nutty]

DS was 3 weeks early. He had them descended at birth, but they were later found to be retractile. He also had a hernia. He had an operation at 18 months to bring them down and fix the hernia. One was found to have suffered damage and be smaller and so he's at risk of fertility problems and cancer also.

I have so much guilt over it not having been discovered earlier and fixed earlier, even though he had seen a paed regularly from birth and she had not expressed any concern.

I blamed myself as well. But the doctors said even though he showed signs of a "tummy" upset there was no physical sign until his bowel was blocked off... THEN they didn't believe me in Emergency that he was vomiting fecal matter! He only got admitted because he wasn't keeping anything down, this also contributed to the loss.
One can be replaced by an implant (I already had this in mind if DS has issues and wants it done) so I am grateful that he has full use of the other...
Do not blame yourself for the what ifs, especially when there was nothing you could have done about it.

[MissMuppet]

MissMuffet - argh sounds the same as me but I've been told retractile is nothing to worry about. Now I'm worried.
Is it OTT to get a 2nd opinion?

Maybe just ask your doctor if you should have it checked at regular intervals to make sure it's staying where it should be. Sorry to worry you.

Thanks everyone for the reassurance. x

[Mmumm]

Update here. DS just had his 12mo check. GP isn't happy with the retractile testicle and also thinks his scrotum is underdeveloped due to the lack of time the testes spend in there (said it should have more folds of skin by now). So seeing a paed surgeon next month to get it looked at.