Table of contents:
- Definition of hypospadias
- What is hypospadias?
- How common is this condition?
- Signs & symptoms of hypospadias
- What are the signs and symptoms of hypospadias?
- When should you see a doctor?
- Causes of hypospadias
- What are the causes of hypospadias?
- Hypospadias risk factors
- What puts my child at risk for hypospadias?
- Hypospadias drugs & treatment
- What are the treatment options for hypospadias?
- What are the common diagnostic tests?
- Home remedies for hypospadias
- What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can help treat hypospadias?
- How to prevent hypospadias in children?
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Definition of hypospadias
What is hypospadias?
Hypospadias (hypospadias) is a congenital condition that occurs when the opening of the urethra or urethra is located at the bottom of the penis, not at the tip of the penis as usual.
The urethra is the tube that drains urine out of the gallbladder through the penis.
In hypospadias, the opening of the urethra is located on the shaft of the penis (usually at the bottom). This condition can be classified as mild to severe, depending on the location of the urethral opening.
How common is this condition?
Hypospadias is a condition that can cause fertility problems or infertility in adult men if not treated properly. Discuss with your doctor for more information.
Signs & symptoms of hypospadias
What are the signs and symptoms of hypospadias?
The main symptom of hypospadias is when the tip of the urethra is not at the tip of the penis. Usually the estuary is located near the head, but in some other cases it is also in the middle and bottom of the penis, up to the scrotum area or the scrotum.
In addition to the signs that can be seen physically, sufferers will also experience other symptoms, such as:
- The foreskin only covers the top of the head of the penis.
- Some men will have a curved penis when erect.
- Has an abnormal flow of urine, so you have to sit while urinating.
There may be other signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.
When should you see a doctor?
Most baby boys diagnosed with hypospadias can be seen after birth and are still in the hospital. Even so, less severe hypospadias is usually not seen.
Call your doctor if you notice that your child's urethral opening is not located at the tip of the penis, that the skin covering the penis is not fully developed, or that the penis is curving downward.
If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor.
Each person's body is different, the symptoms that appear can also be different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.
Causes of hypospadias
What are the causes of hypospadias?
There is a urethra, which is located between the shaft of the penis and the scrotum or scrotum.
Although it does not make it difficult for parents to care for babies, this condition can make it difficult for babies to urinate. Without treatment, this urinary tract area abnormality can make it difficult for adult men to have children.
The reason is, it will be difficult for sperm to reach and enter right into the vagina for fertilization during sex.
According to the CDC or the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the cause of hypospadias in infants is not known with certainty. However, health experts suspect that this condition can occur due to a combination of genes and environmental factors.
Meanwhile, Boston's Children's Hospital explained that this abnormality in the penis is caused by hormonal damage. As the penis develops in the womb, certain hormones play an important role in the formation of the urethra and foreskin.
The emergence of damage to hormones that may interfere with the formation of the penis completely, giving rise to hypospadias in baby boys.
Hypospadias risk factors
What puts my child at risk for hypospadias?
Although the cause is not known with certainty, the following conditions may be one of the causes:
- Family history, infants have a high risk of being born with hypospadias if they have a family history of the condition.
- Genetics, certain gene variations can interfere with the work of certain hormones that stimulate the complete formation of the penis.
- Pregnant over 35 years of ageThis is supported by research showing that there is an increased risk of hypospadias in infants when the mother undergoes a pregnancy process over 35 years of age.
- Exposure to certain substances during pregnancyAlthough it has not been tested further, there is much speculation that there is a link between hypospadias and exposure to certain compounds, such as the use of mosquito repellents for pregnant women, pesticides, and other industrial chemicals.
- Fertility treatmentThis is especially true for women who use assisted reproductive technologies for pregnancy at risk of giving birth to a baby with hypospadias.
Although there are factors that increase the risk, you also need to be aware of this penis disorder condition even if you don't have the above factors. Consult your doctor for more information.
Hypospadias drugs & treatment
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
What are the treatment options for hypospadias?
Hypospadias treatment is something that can be done so that the condition of the penis is normal as in general. The most common therapy is through surgical procedures.
The doctor will make the urethra estuary, aka new urinary holes on the head of the penis. Surgery should be done as soon as possible, between the ages of 6-12 months. Even so, surgery can also be done as an adult.
Most patients go home immediately after surgery. The patient will use a catheter in his penis. A catheter is an artificial plastic tube to help drain urine.
Normally, urine will contain blood. The doctor will provide pain relievers and antibiotics to prevent post-operative infections.
The urine catheter can usually be removed within 10 days. Usually only requires two controls after surgery. After surgery, the patient is expected to be able to have a normal sex life later and be able to reproduce.
If not treated as soon as possible, hypospadias can lead to problems when a child learns to use the toilet, has sex as an adult, and develops urethral fistulas.
What are the common diagnostic tests?
The doctor will make a diagnosis from the medical history and physical examination. The doctor may refer your child to a surgeon who specializes in genital and urinary (urological) conditions for further examination.
Home remedies for hypospadias
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can help treat hypospadias?
Some of the lifestyle changes and home remedies that are expected to help you manage hypospadias include:
- Tell your doctor about your medical problem.
- Use 2 diapers after surgery, namely 1 for stool and 1 for urine from the catheter.
- Always keep your penis clean. If the feces get into the surgical wound, wash it immediately with clean water.
- Call your doctor as soon as possible if you have a post-operative fever, pus is draining from the penis, no urine comes out of the catheter for more than 1 hour, or urine leaks from other parts of the penis.
Call your doctor right away or go to the emergency department if post-surgery you have blood that can't stop from his penis.
How to prevent hypospadias in children?
Until now, researchers are still conducting further research on the causes as well as actions to prevent hypospadias. Meanwhile, preventive measures are taken by consulting pregnancy plans, meeting the nutritional needs of pregnant women, and routine health checks with an obstetrician.
Pregnant women should be careful in using certain drugs or ingredients that may interfere with hormone performance and stability. For that, always consult a doctor before pregnant women use certain ingredients or products.
In addition, you can reduce your child's risk of developing hypospadias by taking the following precautions while pregnant, such as:
- Don't smoke or drink alcohol.
- Maintain an ideal body weight.
- Take 400 to 800 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid per day.
- Routinely check the womb to the doctor.
If you have questions, consult further with your doctor for the best solution to your problem.