Hypospadias – Symptoms and Causes

What Is Hypospadias?

Hypospadias is a birth condition affecting male babies. It occurs during pregnancy when the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) doesn’t develop as expected. Instead of opening at the tip of the penis, the urethral opening forms on the underside.

This condition is relatively common among newborn boys. Parents should know that hypospadias doesn’t typically interfere with basic infant care routines.

Most cases can be corrected with surgery. When properly treated, the penis can function normally. Successful treatment allows for normal urination and doesn’t affect fertility later in life. This means men who had hypospadias as children can still father children.

Signs and Symptoms

Hypospadias is a condition where the urinary opening is not at the tip of the penis where it should be. Instead, this opening appears on the underside of the penis. Most often, the opening is found within the head of the penis.

In some cases, it may be at the middle or base of the penis. In rare cases, the opening can be in or under the scrotum.

A child with hypospadias may show these signs:

• The urinary opening is located somewhere on the underside of the penis rather than at the tip
• The penis curves downward (known as chordee)
• Only the top half of the penis has foreskin, giving it a hooded look
• Unusual spraying pattern when urinating

When To Check with Your Doctor

Most babies with this condition are found shortly after birth while still in the hospital. However, if the urinary opening is only slightly out of place, it might be harder to spot.

If you notice anything unusual about your child’s penis or if your child has trouble peeing, talk to your doctor. Early treatment can help prevent future problems.

Causes

Hypospadias occurs during fetal development. When a male baby is forming in the womb, specific hormones guide how the urethra and foreskin develop. This birth condition happens when these hormones don’t work properly.

The incomplete formation stops the urethral folds from joining fully. Where the opening appears depends on when this joining process stopped during development.

Most hypospadias cases have unknown origins. Genetic factors may contribute to some cases, with certain gene changes playing a role. Environmental influences might also affect development, though researchers are still studying these connections.

Risk Factors

Several factors may increase the chance of hypospadias developing:

• Family History: Boys with relatives who have this condition face higher risks.
• Genetic Factors: Changes in certain genes can affect hormones that guide male genital development.
• Mother’s Age: Research suggests babies born to women over 35 years old may have an increased risk.
• Environmental Exposures: Scientists are studying possible links between hypospadias and exposure to certain substances during pregnancy, including:
  • Specific hormones
  • Pesticides
  • Industrial chemicals

The exact cause remains unknown in most cases. Research continues to explore these connections, but many babies with hypospadias have no obvious risk factors.

Possible Issues

Untreated hypospadias can lead to several problems. These problems can affect how a person looks and functions.

The penis may appear different from normal. This difference in appearance can cause emotional stress for some individuals.

Toilet training might be more difficult. Children with this condition often have trouble learning to urinate while standing up. They may need to sit down to use the toilet.

When an erection occurs, the penis might curve unusually. This is called chordee. The curve happens because tissues on one side of the penis don’t stretch as well as those on the other side.

Ejaculation problems can also develop. A man with untreated hypospadias might have difficulty releasing sperm properly. This could affect fertility and the ability to have children naturally.

These issues highlight why medical treatment is important. Early correction through surgery can prevent many of these complications and allow for normal function.