Why is my testicles small

A study found that testicular volume, alongside body mass index BMI , could be a predictor of testosterone levels. On average, the participants with lower testosterone had smaller testicles. Many people with low testosterone levels have normal sized testicles , so it is important to look at all symptoms and not just testicle size. Some symptoms of low testosterone include:.

A varicocele is an enlarged swelling of the veins within the scrotum. While some people may notice pain or swelling, others may have no symptoms at all.

Some people with varicoceles have problems with fertility. Some individuals with a varicocele may notice that their testicles shrink or that one testicle is suddenly smaller than the other. They may also experience an aching pain deep in the scrotum. Surgery can treat most varicoceles. In many cases, the testicles return to their usual size after surgery.

A congenital disorder is a condition that is present at birth. Some rare congenital disorders cause very small testicles. One such disorder is Klinefelter syndrome. Klinefelter syndrome causes a male to have two or more X chromosomes instead of only one. People with Klinefelter syndrome tend to be taller than average and have small testicles that produce little testosterone. Most people with Klinefelter syndrome are infertile. Klinefelter syndrome can also affect brain and motor development. Children with this condition may have poor coordination or find behavioral skills challenging to learn.

During puberty , some boys with the condition develop breasts. Some people with Klinefelter syndrome get a diagnosis early in childhood, but others may be unaware that they have the condition.

Testicular atrophy is when the testicles shrink. Several conditions can cause testicular atrophy. One well-known cause of testicular atrophy is surgery to repair an inguinal hernia. This complication is rare, affecting only about 0. Little research has directly tested the link between testicle size and infertility.

A study noted that out of the 1, infertile men in the study, had normal sized testicles. There is no pain and swelling. I consulted a doctor who told me that the problem is due to hormonal problems. Are hormonal problems linked to the size of testicles? What causes small size of testicles?

A: It is unclear whether you had small testes to begin with or their size decreased suddenly. If you had small testes to begin with, this could mean several causes, including hormonal deficiencies pituitary malfunction and genetic causes such as Klinefelter syndrome.

If your testes suddenly started to decrease in size, it could be from surgery with loss of blood supply or another cause that needs further investigation with imaging such as scrotal ultrasound. Testicular torsion can happen as an adult but on both sides is very uncommon without symptoms.

This is a natural occurrence — the testicles shrink and expand to keep the sperm at a constant temperature. As the body ages, the testicles grow smaller. The medical name for this is testicular atrophy TA. TA tends to be a gradual process. It may occur so slowly that the person does not notice the change in size. Other symptoms of TA can include reduced muscle mass and a gradual loss of sex drive.

Some health conditions can cause the testicles to shrink. If signs of these occur, a person should seek medical treatment. Anyone who has had sex without protection should receive testing for STIs.

An STI may cause one or more of the following symptoms:. Doctors usually recommend performing these examinations after a hot bath or shower. At this time, the skin of the scrotum is most relaxed, making it easier to feel the testicles within.

The American Urological Association provide the following tips for testicular self-examinations:. A person may feel a cord-like structure, called the epididymis, at the base of each testicle. These bundled tubes carry sperm from the testicles. Contact a doctor about any changes or lumps in the testicles as soon as possible.

The doctor will perform a close examination for signs of disease. Testicular cancer is one rare but highly treatable disease involving the testicles. If a doctor diagnoses and treats this cancer in its early stages, it is usually curable. Testicle size does not generally indicate a cause for concern.

Most males have one testicle that is smaller than the other, a testicle that hangs lower than the other, or both. Certain issues and health conditions, such as testicular cancer, can cause changes in the size and shape of the testicles.

Performing regular testicular self-examinations can help catch these diseases early and allow for the best chance of successful treatment. Infertility or a couple being unable to conceive a child can cause significant stress and unhappiness.

There are numerous reasons for both male and…. Most men have asymmetrical testicles. Find out what is normal, what causes enlarged testicles, and how to check for testicular abnormalities.

A look at when boys stop growing, which happens after puberty has finished.