Pure men's business - health problems that only boys have

When it comes to health, girls are often ahead of the game. The so-called "weak sex" often proves to be much tougher and less vulnerable. In contrast, boys sometimes struggle with more or less annoying complaints during childhood. The Foundation for Child Health takes a position.

The chairman of the foundation, dr. Berthold Koletzko is of the opinion that boys are much more susceptible to illness than girls. This is also shown by statistics. For example, boys develop measles twice as often as girls or are affected by sudden infant death syndrome. Also Pseudokrupp is a boy illness. And finally, there is a lot that only meets the boys. Reason for this: the male reproductive organs are affected.

Undescended testicles

An undescended testicle is innate and needs to be treated in over 90% of cases. One or both testicles are in the newborn not in the scrotum, but inside the body. Affected by this malformation are about one to three percent of the mature newborn, in premature babies, the value rises to 30 percent. Mostly, disorders in the hormone balance of the baby are the cause. Even though the mother only produces small amounts of the pregnancy hormone HCG during pregnancy, this disease can occur.

An undescended testicle must be treated. Possible consequences are infertility, inguinal hernia or testicular torsion, an undescended testicle increases the risk of testicular cancer. The high is diagnosed by a palpation examination. Subsequently, a hormone test is carried out, which clarifies whether a testicle is present at all. The disease is treated by taking hormone or, if necessary, by performing a testicular procedure.

Not as undescended testicle is the so-called Pendelhoden. Here, the normally located testicles can slip through muscle reflexes into the inguinal canal. Depending on muscle tension, the testicle swings between the groin and the scrotum.

hypospadias

A hypospadias is a malformation of the urethra in the newborn. The urethra then does not end at the glans tip, but in the glans penis, in the scrotum or in the perineum. According to statistics, cases of hypospadias have been on the increase since the 1970s, and currently about eight to ten out of every 1,000 male newborns have this condition. How the hypospadias develop is largely unexplained. Risk factors include genetic causes, a lack of testosterone, enzyme deficiencies, taking the mother's medication during pregnancy or in vitro fertilization (fertilization outside the uterus).

Depending on the type of hypospadias, it can be mild to severe. Often there is also a curvature of the penis, erections can then be painful. If the urethral opening is located in the posterior area of ​​the penile shaft, then urinating is only possible while sitting, and fertility may also be limited. The malformation can only be treated surgically, the operation should be done as early as possible. Often the procedures are performed at the age of six to 18 months.

Phimosis

The foreskin or phimosis is a congenital or acquired forearm malformation. This can be difficult or impossible to retract over the glans. Until the age of five years, the foreskin is often glued to the glans, it should not be solved by force.

A phimosis is treated with cortisone-containing ointments. After a treatment period of two weeks, the foreskin can be gently pushed back. In 50 to 75 percent of cases, this measure leads to success. If this measure is unsuccessful and there are complications such as foreskinitis, scarring, frequent urinary tract infections or skin lesions must be operated on. During surgery, the doctor usually removes the foreskin partially or completely. As an emergency, the so-called paraphimosis is treated. It arises when the foreskin is pushed back by force and then can not be pushed forward. It comes to a constriction and a swelling of the glans. Then it is time to go to the doctor immediately!

Not always a foreskin narrowing is the reason that the foreskin can not be pushed back. A shortened foreskin tape, which can be isolated or in conjunction with the phimosis, prevents the foreskin from being withdrawn. The ribbon sits below the glans and extends to the foreskin.

Swollen testicles

If the scrotum is swollen, this indicates in many cases to a break. There is a connection between the peritoneum and the testicles, through which secretions flow into the scrotum and inflate it. Intestinal loops can also slip into the scrotum. While the so-called water break often recovers itself, the inguinal hernia almost always has to be operated on. The malposition of the intestinal loop can be very painful and harms the intestine and testes.

testicular pain

Strong testicular pain can indicate either inflammation or testicular torsion (torsion). Especially in the second case the highest speed is required. The torsion must be corrected within six hours, otherwise it comes to infertility. If the condition lasts longer, the testicles die and must be removed. This is like castration and lifelong hormones are needed.

Dangers due to a high testosterone level

Recent figures also show that boys in all age groups are four times as likely as girls to fall or drown mortally. All other fatal accident causes also hit boys more often. As a reason, the testosterone level is suspected. This increases over the course of development again and again and increases the risk appetite and aggression. Variety, excitement, new experiences - after that, boys are on the lookout from puberty. This phenomenon is also referred to as "sensation seeking".

A word to the conclusion

Yes, boys often have more concerns when they are children than at girls. However, this does not mean that this must affect your son. Girls, on the other hand, become much more problematic from puberty - in their own way ...