Urethral Stricture: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Urethral stricture is a scar tissue that causes urethral narrowing. When a scar from sweeling, injury or infection blocks or slows down the flow of the urine in urethra, it is known as urethral stricture. This can cause extreme discomfort while urinating as well as slows down the flow of urine (weak stream).
Symptoms & Causes of Urethral Stricture
The most common sign is a weak stream of urine. Other symptoms include:
- Strain while urinating
- Blood in urine
- Blood in semen
- Painful urination
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- Inflamed prostate gland (prostatitis)
- Urethral leakage
- Abdominal pain
- Swollen penis
- Loss of bladder control
Among the most common causes of urethral stricture are chronic inflammation or an injury that has led to scar tissue. This scar tissue then causes the urethra to narrow, thereby hindering the stream and flow of urine. Other reasons for a urethral stricture include:
- An injury to the penis or scrotum
- STIs (such as chlamydia)
- Urinary catheters or past surgeries around the urethra may also cause inflammation and subsequent scarring
- Urethral or prostate cancer
- Radiation therapy
Treatment of Urethral Stricture
If you are experiencing discomfort while urinating and can sense a swollen/inflamed scrotum or penis, you should seek medical help immediately. The doctors will advise non-invasive tests to figure out the issue while emptying the bladder. These tests may include:
- Urine flow test – To check the stream of urine flow and assess any blockages
- Post-Void Residual Urine Test (PVR) – This test uses imaging to determine the residual urine after emptying the bladder. While typically the bladder is completely emptied upon urination, a urethral stricture may cause some urine to still remain in the bladder.
Non-invasive tests however cannot completely determine or diagnose the urethral stricture or its impact on the bladder. This is where the doctors might recommend urethral imaging (in the form of an X-ray or ultrasound) or urethroscopy (to see inside the urethra). A retrograde urethrogram is another test that may be conducted to determine how many strictures are there, their length, position and severity. In this, a contrast dye is inserted into the urethra that lets the doctor see and outline the narrowed area. After the results from these imaging and tests come through, a proper treatment plan is laid out.
The treatment plan may include:
- Urethral dilation – In this, long, thin rods are used that gradually increase in thickness to open the stricture
- Internal urethrotomy – A cystoscope with a small knife at the end of it used to cut away the scar tissue from inside the urethra
- Urethral reconstruction – In this, the urologist removes the stricture and reconnects the healthy ends of the urethra
Post treatment, the patients may need to take the help of a catheter for some time to pass the urine. After it is removed, routine physical exam and X-ray may be conducted to check the repair. Yashoda Hospital & Research Centre, Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, has the best urologists who offer a wide range of services to treat patients with all kinds of medications and surgeries such as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL), Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy, Ureteroscopic Stone Removal, etc. or any other issues related to the urinary system.
Dr. Pradeep Prakash is one of the finest urologists and uro-oncologists with more than 16 years of experience in the field of urology. He specialises in performing various surgeries such as nephrectomy (kidney removal), kidney reconstruction surgery, kidney or ureteral stone removal, etc. with great precision and care.
Dr. Vikas Bansal is an expert with over a decade experience in issues pertaining to stones in kidneys or bladder, UTIs, urine incontinence, as well as male infertility and erectile dysfunction.
Dr. Anuj Jain is a highly trained Consultant Urologist and Andrologist with extensive experience in managing a wide spectrum of urinary and male reproductive health conditions.
Dr. Piyush Saini is a highly skilled and dedicated urologist with a strong academic background and extensive surgical expertise across various subspecialties of urology. He also has advanced experience in male infertility management, performing procedures like testicular biopsy, vasovagal and vaso-epididymal anastomosis, and varicocelectomy.
For appointments/bookings, please contact us on our helpline numbers – 9810922042/0120-4182000.
