Hypospadias Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
What is hypospadias? Hypospadias is a disorder that occurs in the urinary tract and penis.
In this condition, the urethra is not located at the tip of the penis, but on the underside of the penis.
Generally, hypospadias sufferers have a penis shape that is different from usual and is accompanied by a buildup of excess skin on the top of the penis.
Hypospadias cannot be prevented. This is because there is no single factor that has been confirmed as the cause of this disorder.
However, there are some things that can be done to avoid it.
For example, the age when pregnant should not be over 40 years and stay away from exposure to cigarettes during pregnancy.
Symptom
Hypospadias can be identified by the following signs and symptoms:
- You can see the urethra under the penis
- The shape of the penis is curved downwards
- When urinating, urine will drip and not gush
If you find abnormalities in the location and shape of the penis in a child, immediately take him to the doctor for examination.
Reason
The cause of hypospadias is not known with certainty until now.
However, experts suspect that hypospadias disorders can be influenced by hereditary factors.
Pregnant over 40 years and exposure to cigarette smoke are also suspected to increase the risk of hypospadias.
There are several risk factors that are thought to increase the risk of a child experiencing hypospadias including:
- Pregnant women aged over 35 years
- Mother has diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
- Mother is obese
- Mother underwent hormone therapy during the pregnancy program
- Exposure to cigarette smoke during pregnancy
- Exposure to pesticides during pregnancy
- Family history of hypospadias
- Child born prematurely
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of hypospadias can be established by physical examination.
In severe cases of hypospadias (when the urethra is near the abdomen), the doctor may need to examine the child’s testicles.
If no testicles are found, it is necessary to do a chromosomal examination to determine the true sex.
In addition, an ultrasound and X-ray examination of the kidneys will be carried out, considering that hypospadias is often accompanied by kidney abnormalities.
Treatment
Surgery is usually performed to improve the shape of the penis.
This is so that the patient can urinate normally and have a normal sexual function as well.
The urethra can also be moved to the tip of the penis.
The foreskin of the penis is very important as a covering material for this operation, therefore patients are advised not to be circumcised before surgery.
Circumcision can be performed simultaneously with hypospadias surgery.
This operation generally takes 1-3 hours and is performed under general anesthesia.
The best time to perform hypospadias surgery is when the child is 3-18 months old.
Prevention
During pregnancy, the risk of developing hypospadias in the fetus can be reduced by the following preventive measures:
- Routine check-ups to the doctor
- Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
- Avoid smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages
- Maintain ideal body weight
- Routine consumption of folic acid according to the dosage recommended by the doctor
Complications
If not treated properly, hypospadias may result in the following:
- Abnormal penis shape
- Difficulty in toilet training
- The penis bends when erect
- Ejaculation disorders