Print Overview Hypospadias Enlarge image Close Hypospadias Hypospadias Hypospadias is a condition in which the opening of the urethra is on the underside of the penis instead of at the tip. The location of the opening can vary and can be anywhere from underneath the tip of the penis (more common) to the base of the penis (less common). Hypospadias (hi-poe-SPAY-dee-us) is a birth defect (congenital condition) in which the opening of the urethra is on the underside of the penis instead of at the tip. The urethra is the tube through which urine drains from your bladder and exits your body. Hypospadias is common and doesn't cause difficulty in caring for your infant. Surgery usually restores the normal appearance of your child's penis. With successful treatment of hypospadias, most males can have normal urination and reproduction.Products & ServicesBook: Mayo Clinic Guide to Fertility and Conception SymptomsIn hypospadias, the opening of the urethra is located on the underside of the penis instead of at the tip. In most cases, the opening of the urethra is within the head of the penis. Less often, the opening is at the middle or the base of the penis. Rarely, the opening is in or beneath the scrotum. Signs and symptoms of hypospadias may include: Opening of the urethra at a location other than the tip of the penis Downward curve of the penis (chordee) Hooded appearance of the penis because only the top half of the penis is covered by foreskin Abnormal spraying during urination When to see a doctor Most infants with hypospadias are diagnosed soon after birth while still in the hospital. However, slight displacement of the urethral opening may be subtle and more difficult to identify. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about the appearance of your child's penis or if there are problems with urination. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Get the latest health information from Mayo Clinic delivered to your inbox. Subscribe for free and receive your in-depth guide to digestive health, plus the latest on health innovations and news. You can unsubscribe at any time. Click here for an email preview. Email address ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Subscribe Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest health news, research, and care. If you don’t receive our email within 5 minutes, check your SPAM folder, then contact us at newsletters@mayoclinic.com. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesHypospadias is present at birth (congenital). As the penis develops in a male fetus, certain hormones stimulate the formation of the urethra and foreskin. Hypospadias results when a malfunction occurs in the action of these hormones, causing the urethra to develop abnormally. In most cases, the exact cause of hypospadias is unknown. Sometimes, hypospadias is genetic, but environment also may play a role. Risk factorsAlthough the cause of hypospadias is usually unknown, these factors may be associated with the condition: Family history. This condition is more common in infants with a family history of hypospadias. Genetics. Certain gene variations may play a role in disruption of the hormones that stimulate formation of the male genitals. Maternal age over 35. Some research suggests that there may be an increased risk of hypospadias in infant males born to women older than 35 years. Exposure to certain substances during pregnancy. There is some speculation about an association between hypospadias and a mother's exposure to certain hormones or certain compounds such as pesticides or industrial chemicals, but further studies are needed to confirm this. ComplicationsIf hypospadias is not treated, it can result in: Abnormal appearance of the penis Problems learning to use a toilet Abnormal curvature of the penis with erection Problems with impaired ejaculation By Mayo Clinic Staff Hypospadias care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment March 29, 2018 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references Baskin LS. Hypospadias. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Aug. 14, 2016. Kliegman RM, et al. Anomalies of the penis and urethra. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2016. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 14, 2016. Epispadias and hypospadias. American Urological Association. https://www.auanet.org/education/modules/pathology/penis-defects/epispadias-hypospadias.cfm. Accessed Aug. 14, 2016. Facts about hypospadias. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/hypospadias.html. Accessed Aug. 14, 2016. Bouty A, et al. The genetic and environmental factors underlying hypospadias. Sexual Development. 2015;9:239. Riggin EA. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 26, 2016. Granberg CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 28, 2016. Related Hypospadias Hypospadias — Candace Granberg, M.D., Mayo Clinic Products & Services Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Fertility and Conception HypospadiasSymptoms & causesDiagnosis & treatmentDoctors & departmentsCare at Mayo Clinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Get the latest health information from Mayo Clinic delivered to your inbox. Subscribe for free and receive your in-depth guide to digestive health, plus the latest on health innovations and news. You can unsubscribe at any time. Click here for an email preview. Email address ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Subscribe Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest health news, research, and care. If you don’t receive our email within 5 minutes, check your SPAM folder, then contact us at newsletters@mayoclinic.com. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry