How common is hypospadias and what causes it?
About 1 in 400 boys are born with some degree of hypospadias. It seems to be getting more common. The reason why the penis does not develop properly is not clear. The development of the penis whilst the baby is growing in the womb is partly dependent on the male sex hormones such as testosterone. The effects of testosterone on the growing penis may be blocked in some way. One study found that vegetarian mothers were five times more likely to have a son with hypospadias than meat eaters. The reason for this is not known. One theory is that chemicals such as fertilisers, pesticides, etc, that are more commonly eaten by vegetarians may have something to do with it.
