Social and Sexual Adjustment of Men Operated for Hypospadias During Childhood: a Controlled Study

Abstract

In a controlled study 34 men operated on for hypospadias in childhood and 36 control subjects were interviewed concerning their sexual and social adjustment, which at the time of the interviews was shown to be virtually similar in the 2 groups. Most of the hypospadiacs had stable sexual relationships but they had been sexually less active than the controls. The sexual debut of the hypospadiacs was retarded although the age at first ejaculation was the same as for the controls. The hypospadiacs had less qualified professions compared to the controls. The results indicate the possibility of operated hypospadiacs being psychologically different from other men. Fertility seems to be equal in the 2 groups and even patients with severe forms of hypospadias reported fertility. The issue of optimal ambition in surgical repair is discussed in view of the fact that even patients with a less than perfect technical result are able to live a satisfactory sexual life.