Diphallia - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Creator: Dr. Tamilini Ravindran
Published: 2023-01-17T16:56:42

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Diphallia is a rare congenital condition in which a male infant is born with two penises. It is also known as a double phallus or double penis.

Written by

Dr. Tamilini Ravindran

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Shivpal Saini

January 17, 2023

July 6, 2023

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Contents

What Is Diphallia?
What Is the Cause of Diphallia?
What Are the Risk Factors of Diphallia?
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Diphallia?
What Are the Complications of Diphallia?
What Is the Diagnosis of Diphallia?
What Is the Treatment of Diphallia?
What Is the Prognosis of Diphallia?

Introduction

Diphallia occurs once in every 200,000 male births. Diphallia is a rare anomaly of the second stage of embryonic development before the differentiation of sex organs. Therefore, it is not an indication of bisexuality or homosexuality; it is simply an unusual anatomical variation. Depending on the type and severity of diphallia, surgical intervention can range from simple to complex. Read more about diphallia, its causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

What Is Diphallia?

Diphallia is a rare congenital abnormality characterized by two penises in a male child. The two shafts are usually about equal in size, although there can be one slightly smaller than the other, and they are almost always positioned side by side rather than one on top of the other. In certain cases, there could be only one urethral opening or none.

A genetic defect usually causes it. The condition can be life-threatening and requires immediate treatment because of its serious health consequences, such as urinary tract infections and erectile dysfunction.

What Is the Cause of Diphallia?

The proximal cause of diphallia is unknown, but it is thought to be a genetic factor. Diphallia is an inherited condition that affects 1 out of every 100,000 people. Diphallia occurs in both sexes and can be inherited from either parent or occur spontaneously during development at any point after conception until birth when it becomes apparent as one has two penises attached through tissues known as connective tissue or suspensory ligaments. Some possible causes of diphallia include genetic, environmental, and maternal health conditions during pregnancy.

What Are the Risk Factors of Diphallia?

A family history of diphallia is a risk factor.
Genetic disorders can also predispose to diphallia.
Congenital abnormalities are present at birth or during fetal development.
In some cases, prematurity and preterm birth are also associated with an increased risk of diphallia.
Other factors include - tumors, infractions, drugs, alcohol, radiation, and stress.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Diphallia?

About 80 to 99 percent of people with diphallia have the following:

Double penis.
Double scrotum.

About 30 to 79 percent of people with diphallia have the following:

Hypospadias (unusual location of the urethra)
Ectopic scrotum.
Distal urethral duplication.
Anal atresia.
Penoscrotal transposition.

About five to 29 percent of people with diphallia rarely experience,

Sperm production abnormalities.
Pubic bone abnormality.
Atrial septal defect.
Cryptorchidism (undescended testis).
Bladder exstrophy.
Cloacal exstrophy.
Epispadias.
Horseshoe kidney.
Inguinal hernia.
Duplication of the kidney.
Duplication of the urethra.
Malrotation of the kidney.

In about one to four percent of cases,

Absent thumb.
Butterfly vertebrae.
Colon duplication.
Hemivertebrae.
Rectoperineal fistula.
Scoliosis.

What Are the Complications of Diphallia?

Infection: the foreskin of the penis can become infected, which may lead to scarring and tissue damage.

Pain: the tissue under the foreskin is delicate, so it is possible for there to be nerve damage if it gets squeezed too tight or stretched too much. People with diphallia experience erections that are not as soft and do not last as long as other men. They can also experience pain during intercourse and may have difficulty achieving orgasm due to this condition. This pain can be especially difficult if you have a bifid urethra.

What Is the Diagnosis of Diphallia?

The diagnosis of diphallia includes,

Physical Examination: the physical exam will include a thorough inspection of your genitals, including the scrotum and testicles. Sometimes, your doctor may want to see other parts of your body, such as the anus, rectum, and thighs.
The health professionals will take a complete medical history.
As diphallia is a genetic disorder, genetic testing may be done.
Imaging tests include X-ray, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computed tomography) scan, and ultrasound to find the abnormalities.
Blood Tests: The physician may order blood tests such as a complete blood count. Liver function tests and urine analysis for certain infectious diseases like syphilis or gonorrhea infection.
Urine Test: A urine sample can be examined for signs of prostate cancer.

What Is the Treatment of Diphallia?

The treatment of diphallia should be treated as early as possible to prevent any serious complications. Treatment of diphallia depends on the severity of the condition and its location.

People with diphallia should seek medical attention if they experience discomfort or pain with their sexual function. Many treatments are available for this type of problem, ranging from surgery to medication. However, each person’s situation must be evaluated individually by a doctor before making any decisions about treatment options available to achieve optimal results while minimizing risks.
Diphallia is surgically corrected in childhood, usually between the ages of six and 12. The results are usually successful, and the patient will not have further complications.

What Is the Prognosis of Diphallia?

The prognosis of diphallia is generally good if the condition is treated early. However, diphallia is a life-threatening condition if not treated. In particular,

Diphallia can cause serious complications such as urinary tract infections and blood clots.
Psychological issues such as anxiety and depression may arise in some cases.

When to See a Doctor for Diphallia?

It is essential to see a doctor if a person has a double penis. A double penis may cause pain or discomfort if it is large enough to touch other body parts when erect. This means too much tissue around the base of the shaft. Diphallia needs immediate attention for the penis to function normally without any problems or complications.

Conclusion

Diphallia is a rare congenital anomaly that occurs between one to ten percent of all infants. It can be treated by surgery or hormone therapy. If it is not treated promptly, the patient may develop serious health problems. If concerned, talk with the doctor about what steps they recommend for managing the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Rarely Does Diphallia Occur?

Diphallia is present in every one out of every five to six million male babies. In fact, around a hundred cases have been documented over the past four hundred years since it was first identified medically. The condition of having two penises is alone, not dangerous.

2. How Many Men Suffer From Diphallia?

Diphallia only affects about one out of every five to six million male boys. In fact, only about a hundred cases have been recorded over the past 400 years since it was first medically recognized. Diphallia is a condition that causes two penises.

3. How Do Men Pee With Diphallia?

Males with diphallia can usually urinate through one or both penises. They are also able to have erections and ejaculate with one or both penises. Most males with this condition can have a normal sex life and also have children. However, the condition might vary in different individuals.

4. How Many Testicles Are Seen in Diphallia?

There are two testicles that are usually present within a normal scrotum and positioned normally. The degree of duplication and the number of related anomalies are highly variable, ranging from a double glans coming from a common shaft with the absence of other anomalies to complete duplication of the phallus along with multiple anomalies.

5. What Are the Disadvantages Associated With Diphallia?

Diphallia is a condition that causes two penises and is not a dangerous disease. However, diphallia can be related to other conditions that can cause other medical problems. Individuals with diphallia usually experience other congenital defects, like digestive and urinary tract problems.

6. Can Diphallia Disorder Type Be Seen in Women Also?

Since diphallia disorder is associated with the male genitals, it is not seen in women. In women, cervical duplication is seen, which is a congenital disorder and occurs when the cervix does not form adequately during the formation of the fetus. The cause of this abnormality is still yet to be discovered.

7. Can Diphallia Be Genetic?

Diphallia is a rare condition that was first described by the Swiss doctor Johannes Jacob Wecker when he observed this condition in a cadaver in 1609. It is a genetic condition seen at birth where an individual has two penises and only affects about one out of every five to six million male newborns.

8. What Is the Location of the Urogenital Tract?

The urogenital tract includes two ureters, two kidneys, a bladder, and a urethra. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each measuring about the size of a fist. The urogenital tract is located just below your rib cage, one on each side of your spine.

9. What Is a Congenital Anomaly Associated With the Urinary Bladder?

The congenital anomaly associated with the urinary bladder is bladder exstrophy, in which the bladder and associated structures are turned inside out. It involves outward turning (exstrophy) of the rear part of the bladder wall through an opening in the abdominal wall. This condition involves urine flowing out of the opening into the lower abdomen.

10. What Is One Common Cause of Infections in the Urogenital System?

The common cause of infection in the urogenital system is bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli, which causes urinary tract infections (UTIs). Symptoms usually include frequent urination, pain during micturition (peeing), and pain on one side or lower back. Antibiotics are administered to treat this infection.

11. What Is the Most Frequently Occurring Urogenital Anomaly?

The horseshoe kidney is the most frequently seen congenital anomaly of the upper urinary tract. It is seen in one in 400 adults. A horseshoe kidney occurs due to the fusion of two functioning kidneys, one on either side of the midline. The rate of occurrence is twice as high in men than in women.

12. What Are Urogenital Birth Defects?

The most common urogenital birth defect is cryptorchidism or undescended testicles. An undescended testicle rarely occurs in full-term babies. However, it is common in premature babies. The testicle generally moves into its adequate position on its own within a few months, but if this does not happen, it can be moved to its correct position by surgery.

13. What Are Congenital Anomalies Associated With the Lower Urinary Tract?

Congenital anomalies of the lower urinary tract (CALUT) are a group of birth defects of the bladder, the ureter, and the urethra. CALUT includes ureteral anomalies like congenital abnormalities of the ureterovesical junction and ureteropelvic junction and birth defects of the urethra and bladder like prune belly syndrome, bladder-exstrophy-epispadias complex, and posterior urethral valves.

Sources

Dr. Shivpal Saini

General Surgery

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