Right Testis Size

Doctor: Baby's swollen testis

Doctor,

Recently I noted that my baby’s testis on one side is swollen more than the other.

However, its seems not to be painful. What could be the problem?

Allion.

Dear Allion,

There are mainly two common causes of painless testicular swellings in children.

Hydrocele: A build-up of liquid in a fold of mucous membrane (testicle sac) situated in the scrotum. When a male baby is in the womb or immediately after birth, his testicles move from the abdominal cavity to the scrotum.

Sometimes, the passage which allows this to happen does not close up afterwards. This causes hydrocele. Children rarely experience any discomfort from hydrocele and it doesn’t normally cause problems later in life. For this reason, doctors usually recommend waiting to see if the hydrocele disappears without treatment.

Varicocele: A swelling in the scrotum can also be due to a varicocele. This occurs when the veins at the top of the scrotum get bigger. Varicocele is most common on the left-hand side of the scrotum, due to the arrangement of the veins on that side. Your child will only need an operation if his hydrocele or varicocele grows to a size which is uncomfortable. However note that in normal children and adults one testis hangs lower than the other and it may look as if one is bigger. Please take your child to a doctor for another opinion.

Although both conditions may be potentially harmless and self limiting, some dangerous but rare conditions may have a similar presentation and early detection and treatment is vital. Uganda Music Videos: Juliana, Iryn, Blu3, Desire Luzinda, Bebe Cool, Rachel Kay, Bobi Wine, Judith Babirye, Ragga Dee, Chameleone, Ngoni, Grace, Priscilla, Mesach Semakula, Shanah, Jaqee, Phina Mugerwa, Iron Man, Krukid, Bataka Squad, Da Twinz, Henry Tigan, Baby Joe, Anna Nyakana, Zani, Wilson Bugembe, Radio & Weasel, Bella, Omulangira Ssuuna, Lou Bega, Breeze, Dorothy Bukirwa, Abdul Mulaasi, William Kibuuka, Willy Mukabya, Tshilla, Sweet Kid, Kid Fox, Prossy Patra, Prisca, Cindy Sanyu, Toolman, Kingdom Dancers, George Okudi, African Children's Choir, Dennis Rakla, Shamim, Maureen Nantume, Sylvia Namugenyi, Mariam Ndagire, Sister Slave, City Limit Crew, Viva Stars, Dream Galz, Obsessions, Toniks, Dr. Tee, Dr. Hilderman, Afrigo and all the rest...

Puberty in boys

Between the age of 12 and 14, most boys enter into puberty and begin their transition from being a boy into becoming a man. As they start growing up, boys will notice changes like hair sprouting everywhere, bodies growing bigger and the voice changing.

While girls get a head-start on puberty, boys start a little later. So that’s why girls are often taller than boys during that age group. Most boys catch up and even grow taller than girls over time. But, it’s important to note that one’s genetics plays an important role in height.

The hormone that dominates male development is an androgen called testosterone.  Most boys complete puberty by ages 16-18.

Increase in testicular size: In boys, increase in testicle size is the first sign of puberty. Testes in pre-pubertal boys don’t change from about 1 year of age till they hit puberty. Testicular size continues to increase throughout puberty, reaching its maximum size about 6 years after the onset of puberty.

The length and breadth of the shaft of the penis will also increase and enlarge to adult proportions. In addition, a male’s scrotum will become larger and begin to hang in order to accommodate the production of sperm.

Retraction of foreskin: During puberty, if not before, the tip and opening of a boy’s foreskin becomes wider. It will gradually allow for retraction of the foreskin, which will eventually be possible without pain or difficulty.

Once a boy is able to retract his foreskin, penile hygiene should become an important part of his body care routine. Regular washing under the foreskin is known to reduce the risk of numerous penile disorders.

Growth of pubic hair: Pubic hair often begins to grow on a boy shortly after his genitalia starts growing. It will take about 3-4 years before pubic hair completely fills the region.

Body and facial hair: Boys will notice hair growing on other parts of the body, in months or years following the growth of pubic hair. The usual sequence is underarms, perianal hair (located around the anus), upper lip hair, sideburns, periareolar hair (around the coloured skin surrounding the nipple), and the beard. This order may vary in some cases.

Hair on the arms, chest, abdominal and back also becomes denser. Most boys have facial hair by late adolescence, but in some it might appear much later. Also note that not all men have chest hair.

Proceedings of the Royal Society, Series B

The Anatomical record

The Journal of experimental zoology

Surgery, gynecology & obstetrics

Philadelphia medical times