Stricture Urethra

A urethral (u-REE-thru) stricture involves scarring that narrows the tube that carries urine out of your body (urethra). A stricture restricts the flow of urine from the bladder and can cause a variety of medical problems in the urinary tract, including inflammation or infection.

Urethral stricture refers to the buildup of scar tissue in the urethra, which is the passage that empties urine from the bladder, slowing or blocking the ability to urinate. Men have a longer urethra and are more likely to experience scarring or narrowing of their urethra than women and infants.

The average male urethra, which runs from the bladder to the tip of the penis, is about 20 centimeters or approximately 8 inches in length and is surrounded by vascular tissue known as the corpus spongiosum. Stricture or narrowing can occur at any point in the urethra and is categorized based on where it occurs along the urethra.

Laparoscopic Surgery

What causes urethral stricture?

The most common causes appear to be chronic inflammation or injury. Scar tissue can gradually form from:

  • An injury to your penis or scrotum or a straddle injury to the scrotum or perineum.
  • Infection is most often a sexually transmitted disease like chlamydia.
  • Placement of catheters or instruments into the urethra during surgery or procedures.

The scar tissue causes the urethra to become narrow, making it more difficult for urine to flow. Sometimes, the inflammation or injury to the urethra happens long before the stricture becomes noticeable. In other cases, the stricture happens soon after a urethral injury.

What are the symptoms of urethral stricture?

The most obvious sign of urethral stricture is a weakened urinary system. Symptoms of this can include:

  • Straining to urinate.
  • Pain during urination.
  • Urinary tract infection.
  • Prostatitis.

Some patients with severe urethral strictures are completely unable to urinate. This is referred to as urinary retention and is a medical emergency. Hydronephrosis and renal failure may also happen from a backup of urine into the kidneys from a poorly draining bladder.

A urethral stricture can also cause inflammation of the prostate. Your urethra is surrounded by the prostate, just under the bladder. This inflammation of the prostate is known as prostatitis. Urinary backup can also cause complicated urinary tract infections. These can be managed with antibiotics and treatment of the urethral stricture.