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Child Had Bilateral Inguinal Hernia Surgery. Does Holding Testicle Affect Fertility In Future?

Posted on Tue, 30 Apr 2013

Question: Hi Doctor,

My elder son is 4 and half years old and my younger son is 2 years old. My elder son had bilateral inguinal hernia surgery when he was 6 months old. We read in a forum that parents should check for toddlers testicles once in a while. Once I checked for testicles in my kids. I gently hold on one testicle from down and then hold on other testicle and checked. While checking my elder son didn't cry. But my younger one cried (I'm not sure whether it is due to pain or due to distraction).He stopped crying and goes to play immediately once I checked (He doesn't cry while changing the diapers). Just wanted to check if it is normal? Does holding the testicles while checking the testicles will affect their fertility in future? Sorry if it is a silly question. Just wanted to confirm since I heard toddlers have very delicate structure . THANK YOU!

Answered by Dr. Sanjay Sharma (51 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXX,

Thanks for placing your query through XXXXXXX

I can appreciate your concerns. No medical query is silly & it is always sensible to get answers from qualified doctors.

1. To your first query,
Though the testicles are a delicate body organ especially in young kids, gentle palpation or touching or handling of testicles at any age almost never hurts.
Your younger son probably cried because he might be apprehensive or your hands might have been simply cold for him.
He is absolutely normal.

2. To your second query
Holding the testicles while checking will never affect their fertility in future. For this also you can be 100% reassured.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.

Wish you & both your sons good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Sharma (12 hours later)

Thanks a lot Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX I have one final question. When my younger son was few months old (he is 2 years now) our pediatric urologist wanted to check for reflux since his ultrasounds showed slight renal dilation in one kidney. After the test it was found that he doesn't have reflux and after a couple of periodic ultrasounds the doctor said no followup is required and he is fine.

My question is regarding the test (I think the test is Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)). During the test nurse first inserted a catheter through my son's penis.It resulted in bleeding (She told me that he is not relaxing and holding it tight). Then she took it out and tried with a smaller size catheter (different one) and the test was done successfully. My son cried during the test and after the test my son was fine and urinating normally. I don't know anything about the structure of penis. Does the bleeding affect anything? Does it affect his fertility in future? I'm really sorry if it is a silly question. I wanted to confirm for my peace of mind. Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Sanjay Sharma (41 minutes later)

Thanks again for your query.

I am delighted that you found my information useful.

Urethral injury & bleeding is a common complication of catheterization.
The urethra is a tube that connects the urinary bladder at one end , travels through the penis and opens at the end of penis (so called meatus or peehole).

Bleeding is caused by injury to this tube from catheter & most of the time there is no consequence.

Theoretically & particularly if the injury was really severe (most unlikely in your son's case) the urethra can become narrow as it heals and can result in problems in urination or incomplete emptying of urinary bladder .

If the boy has no issues while passing urine, he is normal and does not have the urethral narrowing.

This in any case, it is not going to affect his fertility or sexual performance in future.

I hope you have peace of mind now.

Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Sharma (14 hours later)

Thanks a lot Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Thanks again for detailed and fast responses. I don't think I will be allowed to thank you once you respond. I really appreciate your responses.

My elder son had bilateral inguinal hernia and his surgery was done when he was 6 months old (He also had umbilical hernia and it went away by itself). We were initially very worried whether my younger son also will have hernia. He is 2 years old now and healthy. The inguinal hernia in my elder son was identified when he was crying. When my younger son is crying most of the times, when he was without diapers there was no movement in the scrotum. When he is crying heavily there is slight movement in testicles and scrotum (slightly moving up and down once or twice). I think it is normal and may be because he is trying to hold breath while crying heavily. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks again for your excellent responses.

Answered by Dr. Sanjay Sharma (6 hours later)

Yes, you are absolutely right.

Slight upward movement of testicles is perfectly normal during crying or straining.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care.
God bless you.

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E