A. Hypospadias is the most common anomaly of the urethra (the passage you pee from) in males and is seen somewhere between 1 in 300 and 1 in 500 births. Basically, it is a displacement of the urethral meatus (the hole you pee from) onto the underside of the shaft of the penis (or sometimes even onto the scrotum). It happens when there is a problem of fusion of the two urethral folds (embryologically speaking) over the urethral groove (also embryologically speaking). In other words, you're born with it.
85% of all cases are on the glans or corona of the penis and would only be repaired for cosmetic reasons, if at all. Hypospadias which are further down the shaft may have to be repaired to allow for urination while standing, normal erections, and the proper placement of sperm during intercourse which is meant to result in a baby!
Normally these repairs are done before the child reaches school age, and some advocate doing them at around 13-15 months of age. There is no evidence that hypospadias is passed on to children. However, we do see a higher incidence of cryptorchidism, otherwise known as an undescended testicle, in the boys with hypospadias (about 10%) which will usually be repaired (ie brought down) at the same time.
TIP: If you plan on making multiple queries, you might wish to make a bookmark to this page.
