The psychosexual aspects of hypospadias repair: A review

Objective: To review the psychosexual effects on men after hypospadias repair.

Methods: We reviewed all English-language publications in the MEDLINE database from the US National Library of Medicine with the search terms ‘hypospadias adult’, ‘psychosexual hypospadias’, ‘psychosocial hypospadias’, and ‘social hypospadias’. Each term returned 1036, 35, 19 and 68 results, respectively, which were reviewed.

Results: While improvements in surgical techniques have improved function, the abnormality and repair still causes a disruption in perceived quality of life for many men. After repair, many men suffer from a negative view of their genitals and some degree of sexual inhibition. However, they still maintain a satisfactory sex life.

Conclusions: Psychosexual effects of hypospadias repair they endure in adulthood, although affected men maintain satisfaction with their sexual life.