A urethral (u-REE-thrul) stricture involves scarring that narrows the tube that carries urine out of the body, called the urethra. As a result of a stricture, less urine comes out of the bladder. This can cause problems in the urinary tract, such as infection.
Symptoms of urethral stricture can include:
Scar tissue, which can narrow the urethra, can be due to:
Urethral stricture is much more common in males than in females. Often the cause is unknown.
To make a diagnosis, a member of your health care team will ask about your symptoms and your medical history and do an exam. Tests that can help find where the stricture is, how long it is and what's causing it might include:
Treatment might depend on the type of stricture, its size and how bad the symptoms are. Treatments can include:
Urethroplasty. This involves surgically removing the narrowed section of the urethra or making it larger. The procedure might also involve rebuilding tissues around the urethra.
Tissues from other areas of the body, such as the skin or mouth, may be used as a graft during the process. The chance of urethral stricture coming back after a urethroplasty is low.
Endoscopic urethrotomy. This procedure uses a thin, tubelike tool that has a lens, called a cystoscope. The cystoscope goes into the urethra. Then a tool is put through the cystoscope to remove the stricture or treat it with a laser.
This surgical procedure has a faster recovery than do some other procedures. It doesn't leave much scarring, and the risk of infection is low. However, urethral stricture can come back after this procedure.
Implanted stent or long-term catheter. This treatment might be for people with a severe stricture who don't want surgery. A tube, called a stent, is put into the urethra to keep it open, Or a permanent catheter is put in to drain the bladder.
These procedures have a risk of bladder irritation, discomfort and urinary tract infections. They also need to be watched closely. Urethral stents are rarely used.