Urethral Stricture
The urethra is the tube through which urine leaves the body. In men, the urethra exits the bladder, runs through the prostate, out of the pelvis and down the penis before ending at the tip of the penis. In women the urethra is much shorter – it exits the bladder, leaves the pelvis and ends almost immediately thereafter inside the vulva and above the vagina.
A urethral stricture refers to a ring of scar tissue that develops within the urethra. This scar tissue can make it difficult to adequately empty urine from the bladder.
Symptoms of urethral stricture can include
- Hesitancy – Waiting for longer before urine starts to pass
- Intermittency – Stopping and starting throughout urination
- Weak urinary stream
- Sensation of incomplete bladder emptying
- Frequency of urination
- Urgency of urination
- Waking two or more times to urinate
A urethral stricture, if left untreated, can lead to
- Overactive bladder
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Development of bladder stones
- Inability to urinate (Urinary Retention)
- Kidney failure
Urethral strictures can be treated with
- Observation
- Intermittent self catheterization
- Long term indwelling catheter
- Urethral dilation
- Urethroplasty