Frequency and awareness of inguinal and genital organ anomalies among men in military age

Objective: Early diagnosis and treatment of external genital abnormalities is important for protecting fertility potential in the future. In this cross-sectional study, it was aimed to determine the prevalence, treatment rate, and awareness of inguinal and genital abnormalities, among Turkish young men.

Materials and methods: A total of 2,061 young men in military in İzmir were included into the study. All soldiers were examined by same urologist in a special room, and inguinal and genital abnormalities were recorded. Subjects detected with anomalies were asked for the treatment modalities, age of treatment, treatment results, and awareness about their anomalies.

Results: The mean age of the subjects was 20.3±1.0 years (range 19-27 years). A total of 746 anomalies were identified in 681 subjects (33.0%). The anomalies according to frequency were varicocele (24.2%), meatal stenosis (4.0%), penile curvature (2.0%), inguinal hernia (1.8%), undescended testis (1.8%), hypospadias (0.9%), hydrocele (0.7%), atrophic testis (0.4%), and retractile testis (0.4%). Eighteen men (0.9%) were not circumcised. Among the subjects with anomaly, only 35 (4.7%) had operations including varicocelectomy, inguinal herniography, orchiopexy, orchiectomy, and hypospadias repair.

Conclusion: The frequency of inguinal and external genital organ anomalies is high among Turkish young men. However, public awareness on this subject is not sufficient, and these anomalies are not treated on time.