Urethral Stricture

What is Urethral Stricture

Urethral stricture is narrowing of the tube (urethra) that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. The urethra can become narrow due to scar tissue from an injury or infection. This can make it difficult to pass urine.

In women, the urethra opens above the vaginal opening. In men, the urethra opens at the tip of the penis, and the urethra is much longer than it is in women. Because of the length of the male urethra, urethral stricture is much more common in men. This condition is treated with surgery.

What are the causes?

Common causes of urethral stricture in men and women include:

  • Urinary tract infection (UTI).
  • Sexually transmitted infection (STI).
  • Use of a tube placed into the urethra to drain urine from the bladder (urinary catheter).
  • Urinary tract surgery.

In men, common causes of urethral stricture include:

  • A severe injury to the pelvis.
  • Prostate surgery.
  • Injury to the penis.

In many cases, the cause of urethral stricture may not be known.

What increases the risk?

Urethral stricture is more likely to develop in:

  • Men, especially men who have had prostate surgery.
  • People who use urinary catheters.
  • People who have had urinary tract surgery.

What are the signs or symptoms?

The most common symptom of this condition is difficulty passing urine. This may cause decreased urine flow, dribbling, or spraying of urine. Other symptoms may include:

  • Frequent UTIs.
  • Blood in the urine.
  • Pain when urinating.
  • Swelling of the penis in men.
  • Inability to pass urine (urinary obstruction).

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

  • Your medical history.
  • A physical exam.
  • Urine tests to check for infection or bleeding.
  • X-rays.
  • Ultrasound.
  • Retrograde urethrogram. This is a type of test in which dye is injected into the urethra and then an X-ray is taken.
  • Urethroscopy. This is when a thin tube with a light and camera on the end (urethroscope) is used to look at the urethra.

How is this treated?

This condition is treated with surgery. The type of surgery that you have depends on the severity of your condition. You may have:

  • Urethral dilation. In this procedure, the narrow part of the urethra is stretched open (dilated) with dilating instruments or a small balloon.
  • Urethrotomy. In this procedure, a urethroscope is placed into the urethra, and the narrow part of the urethra is cut open with a surgical blade inserted through the urethroscope.
  • Open surgery. In this procedure, an incision is made in the urethra, the narrow part is removed, and the urethra is reconstructed.

Follow these instructions at home:

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have signs of a urinary tract infection, such as:
    • Frequent urination or passing small amounts of urine frequently.
    • Needing to urinate urgently.
    • Pain or burning with urination.
    • Urine that smells bad or unusual.
    • Cloudy urine.
    • Pain in the lower abdomen or back.
    • Trouble urinating.
    • Blood in the urine.
    • Vomiting or being less hungry than normal.
    • Diarrhea or abdominal pain.
    • Vaginal discharge, if you are female.
  • Your symptoms are getting worse instead of better.

Get help right away if:

  • You cannot pass urine.
  • You have a fever.
  • You have swelling, bruising, or discoloration of your genital area. This includes the penis, scrotum, and inner thighs for men, and the outer genital organs (vulva) and inner thighs for women.
  • You develop swelling in your legs.
  • You have difficulty breathing.

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