A condition in which the urethra is narrowed or blocked by a growth.
Abnormal narrowing of the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder). The problem is common in men but rare in women. Urethral stricture usually results from injury, sometimes as a side effect of surgery on the urinary tract, or infection. Symptoms include pain during urination, difficulty urinating, a weak urine stream, a need to urinate frequently, blood in the semen or urine, pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis, discharge from the urethra, or swelling of the penis. Left untreated, urethral stricture can block urine flow and cause kidney damage.
A uncommon medical condition occurs in males when the urethra narrows and possibly shortens due to the contraction of scar tissue within its walls. This scarring can develop following an injury to the urethra or ongoing urethritis, which is inflammation of the urethra.
A narrowing could interfere with the flow of urine or ejaculation, potentially causing discomfort or pain, and possibly leading to an altered shape of the penis during erection. Additionally, this condition may increase the risk of urinary tract infections due to the accumulation of stagnant urine. In certain situations, retained urine may create back pressure on the kidneys, potentially leading to kidney damage.
Typically, the approach involves urethral dilation, which is a surgical method to widen the urethra. If this procedure proves ineffective, a surgeon might opt to incise the scar tissue, or in certain instances, the stricture could be entirely excised, followed by reconstructive surgery on the urethra through plastic surgery techniques.