Abstract: FRI-18
Sources of Funding: None

Introduction

Hypospadias is one of the commonest genetic abnormalities of the male genital tract. _x000D_ It is nowadays well understood that abnormalities of the genital organs can lead to psychosocial and psychosexual complications._x000D_ This study aims to review whether this was also recognised in antiquity._x000D_

Methods

Modern and historical manuscripts were reviewed using paper and online resources such as JSTOR, Google Books and archive.org.

Results

Hypospadias was recognised in the early classical period. Aristotle in his De generatione animalium (4th century BC) describes 'instances of boys in whom the termination of the penis has not coincided with the passage through which the residue from the bladder passes out,- on this account they sit in order to pass water, and when the testes are drawn up they seem from a distance to have both male and female generative organs.'_x000D_ _x000D_ This highlights the early recognition that hypospadias could give rise to vague genitalia and have an impact on perceived gender stereotypes such as having to sit to pass water for boys._x000D_ _x000D_ Hypospadias may have also affected early Hellenic art. Laios et al propose that the 'Phallus Vulva' vase, a piece of Greek pottery dated circa 610BC which depicts a phallus with an hole at the base of the shaft, may have be the first representation of a penoscrotal hypospadias in art. _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Social impact:_x000D_ _x000D_ Diodoros Sulcus (1st century BC) in Fragmenta Libri XXXII describes the case of a Greek woman named Kallo who although married had always declined sexual intercourse. A genital infection finally caused her to seek the services of a pharmacist who, upon incising what appeared to be labial adhesions discovered a case of penoscrotal hypospadias. _x000D_ The marriage was dissolved and Kallo elected to change her name to the male Kallon and live in a male gender role. _x000D_ _x000D_ A further maritial case arose over a millennium later in Malta and may well be the first recorded urological cause for the annulment of marriage in modern legal literature. _x000D_ A woman named Mathia living in Medina brought legal action against her husband John Azzopardi in 1542 due to his inability to perform his 'natural manly duties'._x000D_ He was examined by two physicians who rather uncharitably described his penis as: 'inept or incapable and also useless for deflorating or perforating' due to a ventral hypospadias with chordee. The marriage was annulled._x000D_ _x000D_

Conclusions

_x000D_ There is evidence that even in antiquity hypospadias was recognized as a condition with a potential impact on both the personal and societal perceptions of gender roles, having sometimes devastating and life changing effects on the men affected by it_x000D_

Funding

None