Need advice re. atrophied testicle & surgery

[Richard_Less (imported)]

Long story short, one of my testicles had somehow retracted back into the inguinal canal as though it was undescended. Chalk it up to teenage fear/embarrassment I waited far too long and checked it out only recently.

My urologist has advised that the typical and recommended treatment is removal under general anesthesia. Performing an orchiopexy (moving it back into the scrotum) would be complicated, if possible, and generally not worth it since it essentially atrophied, is soft, and doing little, if anything for me. It would also do little cosmetically due to its size and only really serve to allow examination for cancer, which would likely be at a higher risk (he did note that an originally undescended testicle is at higher risk and that my case may or may not have that same risk level).

I am still within the age group (in my mid 30's) concerned for such cancer which further cements his prognosis - and I see the logic in that.

While I expected said prognosis, I was taken aback somewhat to actually hear it. Part of me was almost giddy as a school girl at the thought of being semi-castrated but the other part of me won't let a fantasy dictate my actions. I understand his professional advice and would almost just go with it but aside from clipping my nails, trimming my hair, and a big hairy mole, there's nothing I wouldn't think twice about removing from my body.

Anyway, I am looking into this before consenting to surgery. I am having trouble finding credible information. Too many search results bring up childhood treatments or help sites one must register or pay to read the answers, or just have too many jerks giving answers/opinions to be worth reading.

Some of my concerns are:

- what questions should I ask and what concerns should I have

- how/where/should I see another urologist for a 2nd opinion

- could that testicle still be producing testosterone and how will its removal affect me

- should a problem later develop (related or not) that requires my other testicle be removed, could the atrophied one be a sufficient source of natural testosterone had it been moved into the scrotum or not removed in the first place

- I've read some things that suggest the other testicle could be damaged by the surgery. I don't really see/understand how that could happen but is that truly a possibility

- can laproscopic surgery be performed rather than conventional (he said they go in similar to a hernia operation) and what are the risks of each type

- is there any research to restore an trophied testicle

Can anyone here offer some good solid advice, experience, or links?

[Wellesley (imported)]

Have it removed. I had multiple surgeries to "fix" a similar issue of supposed intermittent torsion. I have had a total of 3 orchiopexies (1 on left 2 on right) and finally a right orchiectomy. I will suggest inguinal versus scrotal as I have mild issues with cord pain.

I have one testes now, libido is stronger than it was with two. No other issues. I personally feel that the complications, scaring etc outweigh the benefits of trying to save a testes. However, I am married, have a child and a wife that recently had a total hysterectomy thus my situation is different re: fertility etc. Thus if something were to happen to my remaining testes I would not be overly concerned with having it removed as well. HRT is available to you in the US as are implants. I did not get an implant offered to me and I think that if I had to have the other testes removed I would get implants and HRT at the lowest maintenance level.

I will say though even thought I was extremely well prepared (dealing with chronic pain for 10 years) it still took me well over a year to get used to only having one testes, something I was reminded of every time I looked down. Now my situation has changed dramatically and with the total impossibility of more children an issue that would require removal of the remaining testes does not cause me the stress it used to.

Most men will tell you to bank sperm before the procedure. If married you can bank a lot I think. Since my wife and I had issues getting pregnant I suggest banking as much as possible.

[raymar2020 (imported)]

By all means have it removed. Should you develop testicular cancer in the undescended one, it would be hard to know, and that type of cancer rapidly spreads to other systems in the body. The likihood that it is doing anything is slim at best, and having an orchidopexy is painful , and will not provide you with results that you will be pleased with.

You could seek another opinion, but in the long run, you'll only spend more money needlessly. There is no magic trick to revive an atrophied testicle, and there should be very little danger of any damage to the other one. Indeed both are in independant sacks within the scrotum. ( if they weren't you could actually get them tied in a knot) LOL.

HRT is available should you for some reson lose the other one, and actually works quite well. It just takes some tinkering to get the dosage right.

I would recommend that you bank some sperm, just in case, but thats a good idea for anyone who has any type of testicular issue.

Raymar

[mrt (imported)]

If you have any doubts seek a second opinion. If there is good information that the Testicle is "shot" ? I think its worth talking to a therapist about being giddy about being semi castrated. Explore what about that is thrill filled and try to separate that from the medical needs.

I think you should consider getting your labs (hormone) done before and after surgery if you opt for that. Your supposed to be able to function with one but some of the guys on the TC Cancer forum report its not always a slam dunk. Banking sperm is a good idea. Cheap and a good insurance policy.

If your going to surgery - I also echo the Inguinal approach. Cut high and avoid the cord dangling around tying to reattach and cause you pain in the future.

[Morganna (imported)]

good advice

[nullorchis (imported)]

They can seem to transplant a lot of different organs now days. I did hear of a man in China getting a testicle transplant and it worked. Nothing ventured nothing gained; you could at least ask them if a testicle transplant is possible; they may not do it and you might not be able to afford it, but what the heck, now is your chance to ask such a probing question and stir things up.

Getting one or two that squirt real testosterone into your system will be a far sight better than taking chemical hormones all your life. In reality it probably is possible but probably not in America; I am assuming you live in America, I didn't look up your profile. Folks in America seem so squeemish about these things. They will transplant fingers, arms, legs, livers, lungs, kidneys but start to talk about sex organs and they dummy up. Egad, genitals are just body parts, and useful ones too. Not like a little toe or little finger.

[mrt (imported)]

They can seem to transplant a lot of different organs now days. I did hear of a man in China getting a testicle transplant and it worked. Nothing ventured nothing gained; you could at least ask them if a testicle transplant is possible; they may not do it and you might not be able to afford it, but what the heck, now is your chance to ask such a probing question and stir things up.

Getting one or two that squirt real testosterone into your system will be a far sight better than taking chemical hormones all your life. In reality it probably is possible but probably not in America; I am assuming you live in America, I didn't look up your profile. Folks in America seem so squeemish about these things. They will transplant fingers, arms, legs, livers, lungs, kidneys but start to talk about sex organs and they dummy up. Egad, genitals are just body parts, and useful ones too. Not like a little toe or little finger.

While there are synthetic versions of some sex hormones (The infamous Horse Estrogens for example) most of the male hormone replacements use human identical hormones. Is it the same as having functional testicles? There are questions about what else the Testicles produce that might be missing so thats still open to debate. Transplants of any sort involve shutting down the human immune system to the body doesn't reject the new parts and I think this is far more complicated and dangerous (health wise) in the long term then its worth.

[Richard_Less (imported)]

Explore what about that is thrill filled and try to separate that from the medical needs.

Great advice in general as there are many people here that post about wanting perfectly healthy bits removed for various reasons without having truly considered the life long ramifications or perhaps are even misinformed about the consequences and benefits.

In my case, I feel that I have always been grounded as far as fantasy vs. reality goes. and the true reason I finally went to my Doctor about this was a combination of health concerns and cosmetic (tired of being lopsided and it's effect on self esteem/confidence - was it still ok and repositionable or how do I get an implant?).

Thank you all who've replied so far. I really do appreciate the advice.

[A-1 (imported)]

Great advice in general as there are many people here that post about wanting perfectly healthy bits removed for various reasons without having truly considered the life long ramifications or perhaps are even misinformed about the consequences and benefits.

In my case, I feel that I have always been grounded as far as fantasy vs. reality goes. and the true reason I finally went to my Doctor about this was a combination of health concerns and cosmetic (tired of being lopsided and it's effect on self esteem/confidence - was it still ok and repositionable or how do I get an implant?).

Thank you all who've replied so far. I really do appreciate the advice.

There is a higher risk of cancer in testicles that were undescended at birth. Get it removed.

[Hash (imported)]

You've received lots of good advice, but ultimately it's your decision. I lived with one testicle for many years, but I had abused the remaining testicle and it did not supply me with adequate testosterone. Eventually it atrophied and Dr. Kimmel removed it, making me a full fledged eunuch. After years of being a eunuch, I can't even remember what it felt like to have testicles anymore. I've tried to focus and dig up memories, but it's no use, once they're gone, your body & mind adjusts and now I'm happy to live like a eunuch. I am considering removing my penis as it no longer functions or responds much anymore. I believe that once it's gone my body & mind will adjust to it being gone.