What is Testosterone Treatment Prior to Hypospadias Repair?
Hypospadias is a common problem in which the opening of the penis is on the underside—not the tip—of the penis. You may have also been told your child has a penis that is not regular in size.
Surgical treatment of hypospadias can change the way the penis looks and works. No medicine will correct hypospadias. Your child will not outgrow this condition.
Your child’s urologist may recommend testosterone shots before a surgical repair. Research has suggested that giving this medication before surgery will help to:
- Increase penis width
- Increase penis length
- Increase the number of blood vessels
This may lead to a larger penis, which may possibly improve the outcome of the surgery.
Testosterone is a medication that is given as a shot into the body. The testosterone may be ordered by your child’s doctor. Your child's doctor will determine the dose given, and how many shots your child will receive.
As with any medication there can be some side effects that occur right after the injection, which will be monitored in the clinic:
- Redness and swelling at the injection site
- Allergic reactions to testosterone can occur, but are uncommon. Please let your healthcare team know of any allergies to other drugs your child may have. You will be asked to stay in the clinic for at least 30 minutes after the shot.
Uncommon reactions to testosterone that may be noticed after leaving the clinic area are:
- Redness of the penis
- Increased irritability in infants and aggressive behavior in older children
- Increased incidence of erections
- Growth of pubic hair (peach fuzz)
These effects only last until the medication is out of your child's body, which may last up to several weeks.
