Dear Arilanda,

No, it is not true that a man's testicles "drop" during puberty. Your friend is probably referring to the fact that testicles descend from the lower abdomen into the scrotal sac — but this usually takes place during the last two months before or right after birth, not at puberty.

Sometimes a testicle doesn't move into the scrotum at all or only partially — this is called an undescended testicle. Often an undescended testicle will descend naturally into the scrotum during the first year of life. But if it hasn't descended or been surgically brought down into the scrotum by age two, the amount of sperm that is produced later in life will be reduced.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.