Hypospadius
What is it?
Hypospadias is a common congenital defect of
the penis in which the urethra opens at any point
along the shaft of the penis, scrotum or perineum.
The corresponding defect in females is an opening
of the urethra into the vagina. Who gets it?
There is no genetic basis for hypospadias. For
unknown reasons, the rate of hypospadias has
doubled over the past 30 years. The defect occurs
in about one in every 300 male infants.
Hypospadias in females is rare, occurring about
once in every 500,000 female births. What
causes it?
Hypospadias occurs when the urethra does not
form or fuse completely during intrauterine
development. Because penis development is
considered incomplete, some experts think that
insufficient male hormones may be responsible for
the condition. Recent research has tied grandsons
of women who took diethylstilbestrol (DES) during
pregnancy to an increased risk for hypospadias.
During the development of a female, the cause
of hypospadias is usually insufficient length of
the tube that becomes the urethra. As a result,
the urethra opens in an abnormal location. Female
hypospadias may be associated with abnormalities
of the genital tract, since the urinary and
genital tracts are formed in the same embryonic
process. How is it diagnosed?
Hypospadias are easily detected and are usually
diagnosed during the initial examination of
newborn males. Female urethral defects may not be
discovered for some time due to the difficulty in
viewing the infant vagina. What is the
treatment?
The doctor may recommend surgery for treatment
of a hypospadias. With more complicated
hypospadias (more than one abnormal urethral
opening), multiple surgeries may be recommended.
In females with hypospadias, surgical repair is
usually technically more complicated. Surgery is
usually recommended before the patient reaches the
age of two. If the opening is glandular or coronal
(85 percent of patients), the repair is done
primarily for cosmetic reasons. For openings that
occur on the shaft, the doctor may perform the
correction to allow voiding while standing, normal
erection, and proper sperm deposition during
intercourse. Surgery is usually a one-stage
operation and highly successful.
Self-care tips
Many doctors consider hypospadias in both male
and female patients a nuisance and hindrance to
reproduction than a threat to health. If surgery
is not an option, the hypospadias can be left
untreated, however this usually leads to an
increase in urinary tract infections. With
adequate surgical repair, most patients can lead
normal lives, including having children.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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