It is an abnormal narrowing of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
A urethral stricture is a scar that narrows the duct that carries urine out of the 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.
Causes
Urethral stenosis can be caused by swelling or scar tissue following surgery. It can also occur after an infection or injury. Rarely, it can be caused by the pressure of a growing tumor near the urethra.
Other factors that increase the risk for this condition include:
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI)
- Procedures in which a tube is placed in the urethra (such as a catheter or cystoscope)
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- Injury to the pelvic area
- Uretritis repetitiva
Stenosis that occurs at birth (congenital) is rare. The condition is also rare in women.
Síntoms
Symptoms include:
- Blood in the semen
- Urethral discharge
- Dark or bloody urine
- Strong urge to urinate and frequent urination
- Inability to empty the bladder (urinary retention)
- Pain or difficulty urinating
- Loss of bladder control
- Increase in frequency or urgency to urinate
- Pain in the lower abdomen and pelvic area
- Slow urine flow (may develop suddenly or gradually) or urine spray
- Penis swelling