Urethral stricture disease
Urethral stricture disease
Unable to urinate? It could be due to urethral stricture.
What is an urethral stricture?
First, it’s important to understand the urethra. The urethra is a tube that carries urine out of your body from the bladder. A urethral stricture occurs when there is an abnormal narrowing of the urethra, that can cause the urinary stream to slow or even stop entirely.
Urethral strictures can be caused by trauma or injury to the penis or scrotum, or from infection. Because men naturally have a longer urethra than women (it runs the length of the penis), they are at higher risk of developing urethral strictures.
What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms of urethral stricture include:
- Blood in urine
- Blood in semen
- Slow or interrupted urine stream
- Pain during urination
- Stomach aches and pain
- Leaking urine
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Swelling or inflammation of the penis
- Inability to empty bladder
- Straining to void
Diagnosis and treatment of urethral stricture disease
With urethral stricture disease, early diagnosis and treatment are important for preventing complications and improving outcomes. To diagnose urethral stricture disease, your provider often will use a cystoscopy (a thin tube with a small camera) and X-rays. Both a cystoscopy and X-ray help your provider to see your urethra.
Treatment for urethral stricture disease depends on where and how severe the stricture is. Your overall health and preferences also are important. Treatment options include:
- Dilation: A healthcare provider inserts a set of tubes, called dilators, into the urethra. Each tube gets slightly bigger. The procedure helps stretch and widen the narrow part of the urethra. Dilation can happen in a clinic or hospital with local anesthesia.
- Urethrotomy: With this procedure, under local anesthesia, you get a small incision in the urethra to widen its narrow part. You may have to repeat the procedure if the stricture comes back.
- Urethroplasty: This is a surgical procedure. A surgeon removes the narrow part of the urethra and rebuilds it using tissue from other parts of the body. Because this surgery is more complex, you may need to stay in the hospital to recover.
- Self-catheterization: You may need to use a catheter to empty your bladder. Your provider will guide you on how to use one safely.
Our urology team at West Jefferson Medical Center is here to help you develop a treatment plan that works for you.
Call us directly at 504-934-8100 or select a doctor to schedule online.
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