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Did you know that 1 of every 125 males born in the US has hypospadias?

That's about the same frequency as being born with red hair! The frequency of occurrence differs by country, but hypospadias is a common birth difference all over the world.

Hypospadias (HS) is a congenital difference affecting the urinary tract and genitalia. Unfortunately, the condition is often made much more serious by the human tendency to keep it a secret.

Girls are born with hypospadias much less frequently than boys but female hypospadias is also often complicated by secrecy.

Epispadias (ES) is a separate congenital difference affecting the urinary tract, bladder, genitalia, and pelvic structure. It is sometimes accompanied by exstrophy, where the bladder (and sometimes other abdominal organs) are not enclosed within the belly at birth. Epispadias affects both males and females. Both boys and girls are born with epispadias much less frequently than boys are born with hypospadias. Like hypospadias, epispadias is a condition made more serious by people's tendencies to keep it a secret.

Most people with hypospadias or epispadias have never met or talked to anyone else with one of these conditions. Isolation adds to the serious complications caused by secrecy.

Hypospadias and epispadias are just like most other birth differences: They happen for reasons that are not the fault of the individual or the parents. People with hypospadias or epispadias have the same worth as all other human beings. However, the secrecy surrounding birth differences involving the urinary-genital systems often lead to the development of feelings of deficiency, isolation, and shame. The good news is that these feelings can be dealt with by talking with others with these conditions and through support and education.

How does HEA help?

The Hypospadias and Epispadias Association, Inc., offers support so that people with HS/ES never need to feel alone. People with HS or ES and their families can use the resources we offer to make informed decisions about surgery, relationships, and sexuality. Our message boards, chat rooms, shared stories, and conferences ensure that no one needs to feel isolated, deficient, or shameful.

We provide opportunities to develop pride in ourselves and compassion for others by sharing our stories, reaching out to others in our community, volunteering to serve by becoming members of the HEA board or committees, advocating for better care and better choices, and educating the public.

What is HEA?

The Hypospadias and Epispadias Association, Inc. (HEA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in the year 2000 for the support and education of people born with hypospadias or epispadias and their families and loved ones. Although HEA is based in the USA, we invite participation from all people in all countries who have an interest in these congenital differences.

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