Female-assigned genetic males with severe hypospadias: Psychosocial changes and psychosexual treatment

Abstract

<b>Introduction: </b> Disorders such as severe hypospadias presenting as ambiguous genitalia have serious and potentially life-long consequences for affected individuals and, depending on the underlying cause, are likely to entail surgery in childhood and in later life, psychosocial and psychosexual support and possible fertility treatment including assisted conception. <b> Materials and Methods: </b> Genetic males with severe hypospadias who were wrongly brought-up as females formed the study group. They were reassigned as males and underwent surgery for correction of hypospadias. <b> Results: </b> Three children with severe hypospadias were reassigned to male gender. Psychosocial changes were made psychosexual counseling was done. All three have adjusted to their new environment and gender. <b> Conclusions: </b> Management of children with wrongly assigned sex is complex. It is preferable to reassign these children who are genetic males but wrongly assigned as females at birth. Repair of hypospadias, psychosocial changes and psychosexual counseling will help these children to reorient themselves.