It is normal for the testicles to rise and may hide in the groin area, not being palpable. This happens especially in children, due to the development of the abdominal muscles, but can still be maintained during adulthood, to be called a retractable testicle.
This happens especially because each testicle is connected to the abdominal region through a muscle known as cremaster. This muscle can contract involuntarily several times during the day, whether stimulated or not, causing the testicles to rise.
Generally, the testicles return to their natural position within a few minutes of climbing, but can also be repositioned using the hand and making gentle movements over the place where the scrotum attaches to the abdomen. However, if the testicle does not come down after 10 minutes, it is advisable to go to the hospital or consult a urologist to see if there are any problems that need to be treated.
Main causes of rising testicle
A lot of the time, the testicles go up only due to an involuntary movement of the muscle that holds them, however, there are other situations that can stimulate this movement, such as:
1. During or after the relationship
Sexual intercourse is a moment of pleasure in which various muscles of the body, especially those in the intimate region, involuntarily contract in response to the electrical 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.
Usually, in these cases, the testis does not completely disappear, remaining stuck in the upper region of the scrotum; however, many men have a more open channel at the transition between the scrotum and the abdomen, which can cause the testicles to disappear without sign of some problem.
2. Cold climates
To function properly, the testicles need to be in an environment about 2 to 3 degrees cooler than body temperature and, for that reason, they are in the scrotum and out of the body.
However, when the environment gets very cold around the body, the temperature in the region of the scrotum can go down a lot 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, in order to regulate 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 strokes and injuries that can damage their structure and function.
To prevent this from happening, the body has developed a defense mechanism so that the muscle that holds the testicles contract and pull them to the abdominal region, so as to keep them more protected. It is for this reason that the testicles may rise when the man feels he measures 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 fully or grow at a very slow rate, which does not accompany the growth of the body. In these cases, the testicle will get closer to the abdomen and, depending on the size of the cord, may even end up rising into the belly. Usually, this problem solves itself after adolescence.
Possible Complications
The retractable testicle is rarely related to complications, however, as the testicle rises up to the abdomen there is a greater risk of not falling again and may become trapped. If this happens, there is also a greater risk of developing testicular cancer, having fertility problems or having a testicular torsion, since the testes are not working at the correct temperature.
When to go to the doctor
Almost always, the testicle goes up and down again, not being a situation that needs special attention. However, it is important to go to the hospital or see a urologist when:
- The testicle does not descend after 10 minutes;
- There is an intense pain or swelling in the region of the scrotum;
- If you have suffered a severe blow to the intimate area.
Cases in which the testicle rises and does not fall again are more common in infants or children and are usually related to a case of cryptorchidism in which the canal between the scrotum and the abdomen does not allow the testicle to descend and may be necessary have surgery. See how treatment is done in these cases.
