Hipospadia is a disorder that causes the location of the urinary opening (urethra) of male babies to be abnormal. This condition is a congenital abnormality from birth.
Under normal conditions, the urethra is located right at the tip of the penis. However, in infants with hypospadias, the urethra is at the bottom of the penis. If left untreated, people with hypospadias can have difficulty urinating or having sex as an adult.
Symptoms of Hypospadias
Hypospadias conditions in each patient can be different. In the vast majority of cases, the urinary opening is located at the bottom of the glans penis, and some have the urinary opening at the bottom of the shaft of the penis. Urinary holes can also be in the scrotum area (testicles), but this condition is rare.
Due to the abnormal location of the urinary opening, children with hypospadias will experience the following symptoms:
- Abnormal urine sprinkling when urinating
- The foreskin only covers the top of the head of the penis
- The shape of the penis is curved down
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Hypospadias that is not treated can cause complications that reduce the quality of life of the sufferer. Therefore, immediately see a doctor if you notice a number of the above symptoms in your child, especially the abnormal position of the urethral opening. The earlier the treatment, the better the results that can be achieved.
Causes and Risk Factors of Hypospadias
Hypospadias occurs because the development of the urinary tract (urethra) and the foreskin of the penis is disturbed while in the womb. The exact cause of this condition is not known. However, there are a number of factors that are thought to increase the risk of a child developing hypospadias, including the mother:
- Pregnant at the age of 35 years and over
- Suffering from obesity and diabetes during pregnancy
- Undergoing hormone therapy to stimulate pregnancy
- Exposure to cigarette smoke or pesticides during pregnancy
Apart from the above factors, having a family who has experienced hypospadias and the possibility of a child being born prematurely, can also increase the risk of a child experiencing hypospadias.
Diagnosis of Hypospadias
Hypospadias can be detected through a physical examination after the baby is born, without the need for additional examinations. However, in severe hypospadias, further tests, such as genetic testing and imaging tests, are needed to determine other abnormalities that occur in the baby's genitals.
Hypospadias Treatment
If the urinary opening is very close to its proper position, and the penis is not curved, treatment may not be necessary. However, if the location of the urinary hole is far from its normal position, surgery needs to be done. Ideally, surgery is performed when the baby is 6 to 12 months old.
The surgery aims to place the urinary opening into its proper position, and to correct the curvature of the penis. The operation may be performed more than once, depending on the severity.
In many cases, the function of the child's penis will return to normal after surgery. However, it is necessary to carry out regular check-ups after surgery to ensure this.
It is important to remember, do not circumcise the child before the operation is performed. The surgeon may need a graft from the foreskin to create a new urinary opening.
Complications of Hypospadias
If left untreated, hypospadias can cause urinary problems in children, and can interfere with sexual activity as an adult. Children with untreated hypospadias can experience complications such as:
- Difficulty learning to urinate
- Penis deformity during erection
- Ejaculation disorders
This deformity of the penis during erection and ejaculation disorders will make it more difficult for people with hypospadias to have children.
Hypospadias Prevention
Pregnant women can reduce the risk of hypospadias in the fetus by doing the following simple things:
- Avoid smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages.
- Avoid work exposed to pesticides.
- Take folic acid supplements as recommended by your obstetrician.
- Maintain ideal body weight.
- Go to the gynecologist regularly for a pregnancy check.
Couples who are planning a pregnancy and have risk factors for hypospadias should consult their obstetrician for planning a pregnancy, so that risk factors can be controlled as well as possible before getting pregnant.