What is Urethral Stricture Disease?

The urethra is a tube that allows urine to pass outside the body of both males and females. In men, it also plays an important role in ejaculation. When a scar from swelling, injury or infection blocks or slows the flow of urine in this tube, it is called a urethral stricture.

Causes

Although both men and women have urethras, men are more likely to have a urethral disease or injury due to the length of their urethra. Strictures in women and infants are rare.

Some of the common causes of a stricture include:

  • Trauma to the urethra
  • Injury from falling onto the scrotum or perineum
  • Infection, such as a sexually transmitted disease
  • Damage from prior surgery
  • Urinary catheterization

Symptoms

Symptoms of urethral strictures include: 

  • Feeling as though the bladder is not empty after urinating
  • Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Increased urinary frequency
  • Loss of bladder control
  • Pain when urinating
  • Swelling of the penis or surrounding structures
  • Taking longer than usual to urinate
  • Urinary urgency
  • Slow or decreased urine stream
  • Bloody or dark urine
  • Urine stream spraying
  • Feeling as though the bladder is not empty after urinating
  • Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Increased urinary frequency
  • Loss of bladder control
  • Pain when urinating
  • Swelling of the penis or surrounding structures
  • Taking longer than usual to urinate
  • Urinary urgency
  • Slow or decreased urine stream
  • Bloody or dark urine
  • Urine stream spraying

In addition to uncomfortable urinary symptoms, a urethral stricture can lead to complications that include urinary tract infections, prostatitis, urinary retention and kidney damage.

Diagnosis and Treatment

To reduce the risk of complications associated with urethral strictures, it’s important to see a doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms.

A urologist will perform a physical examination and review your symptoms as well as personal and family medical history. If a stricture is suspected, there are several tests that can confirm the diagnosis. These include: 

  • Urethral Imaging, such as an X-ray or ultrasound
  • Urethroscopy, which uses a small scope to see inside the urethra
  • Retrograde Urethrogram, an outpatient X-ray procedure to see how many strictures there are, and their position, length and severity.

If a urethral stricture is identified, there are several treatment options. Your doctor will make recommendations based on the size of the blockage and how much scar tissue is involved.

Treatment options include: 

  • Dilation: Enlarging the stricture with gradual stretching
  • Urethrotomy: Cutting the stricture with a laser or knife through a scope
  • Open Surgery: Surgical removal of the stricture with reconnection and reconstruction, possibly with grafts (urethroplasty)

Schedule an Appointment

At Alliance Urology Specialists, our goal is to provide the highest level of specialized urology care. Our board-certified physicians specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of urological conditions, urethral stricture disease. 

To schedule an appointment, call Alliance Urology Specialists in Greensboro at (336) 274-1114.