Diphallia, or diphallus, is a rare congenital abnormality in which a male infant is born with two penises. There have been only a handful of documented cases of this anomaly. Diphalla is extremely rare, affecting only one in 5 or 6 million infants.

The term diphallia is derived from the Greek words diphallos, which means double and phallus, which means penis. The condition is also commonly referred to as penile duplication or diphallus.

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Two Feet, Two Legs, Two Penises

Diphallia is a rare congenital anomaly (a condition present at birth) in which a male infant is born with two penises. It is an extremely rare condition, one of which shows up in fewer than 1 in a million births. Dipahallia is a congenital malformation where two penises are attached to a single body. The condition may be associated with other congenital anomalies.

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How is Diphallia diagnosed?

Diphallia is usually diagnosed shortly after birth, as it is a striking feature. The penis may appear to be two distinct penises, both of which can be partially or completely hidden within the body. In some cases, the two penises may be fused at the base, while in others they are joined at the tip. The penis may be longer than normal, or it may be shorter than normal. It may curve in a variety of directions, and it may be underdeveloped or malformed. The anus, urethra and scrotum may be malformed. Diphallia may occur in conjunction with other congenital anomalies.

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What Causes Diphallia?

The cause of diphallia is not known. However, there seems to be a hereditary link in some cases.

Diphallia is a rare congenital (present at birth) anomaly. About 1 in every 5-6 million children is born with this deformity. Because it is congenital, Diphallia is an indication of a genetic defect.

In many cases, diphallia is an isolated abnormality. However, there are some reports of associated abnormalities, such as undescended testes, or a single kidney.

Diphallia is the result of an error in the genetic code. In most cases, this error occurs during the formation of the embryo. It is believed that the two shafts grow independently of each other. This is why diphallia is considered a developmental abnormality.

How is Diphallia treated?

Treatment for diphallia depends on the severity of the condition and the extent to which the penis is affected. It is usually corrected through surgical procedures. Surgery may involve separating the two penises, repairing the urethra and correcting associated problems such as hydrocele (a fluid-filled sac in the scrotum). Surgery for diphallia is usually performed shortly after birth. In some cases, the procedure may involve removing one of the penises. The penis may be used to reconstruct the urethra, bladder or rectum in cases of severe defects.

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What is the outcome of Diphallia?

The prognosis can be good but depends on the extent and location of the problem. This condition can lead to infertility, and in severe cases, the inability to urinate. It may also cause problems with the ability to conceive.

Successful repair of the penises can lead to normal sexual function, but the ability to father children may be impaired. In general, sexual function is usually normal after surgical repair.

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The Two Forms Of Diphallia

There are two types of diphallia, which are distinguished by whether or not the urethra and the penis are duplicated.

In complete diphallus, both structures are doubled and form two separate penises. In incomplete diphallus, only one of the structures is duplicated. In this case, the urethra is present as a common channel for both penises.

In most cases of diphallia, the duplication is not complete. Only one of the penises is fully formed, while the other is underdeveloped.