Psychosocial Development of Patients with Disorder of Sexual Development vis-à-vis Hypospadias

This article refers to the psychological consequences of hypospadias, a male congenital abnormality of the urethra. Hypospadias is defined as an abnormal opening of the urethra on the underside of the penis and is a frequently found malformation with an incidence of 1 per 300 males. The article reviews the research relating to the psychosocial aspects of Hypospadias and the outcome of surgery on psychosocial development of the affected. Due to the fact that hypospadias is a psychological condition as well as a physical one, this paper discusses the influence of the condition on the patient’s psychosocial and psychosexual development. The review highlights that severity of hypospadias influences a more negative genital appraisal and increased behavioral problems. It can be suggested that early identification of Hypospadias and surgery at birth may generate a better surgical outcome and sound psychosocial and psychosexual development