Urology Care

Urethral Stricture Repair

Understanding Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Urethral Strictures

Illustration showing normal vs. duplex kidney anatomy

What is a urethral stricture?

A urethral stricture is a narrowing of your urethra. Your urethra is the tube through which urine (pee) leaves your body.

If you have a penis, your urethra runs from your bladder to the opening at the tip of your penis (urethral meatus). If you have a vagina, the urethra runs from your bladder to the front of your vagina.

Many people with a urethral stricture will have increasing discomfort while peeing and a slow or weak stream. This can gradually develop and lead to pushing or straining to empty your bladder. In others, problems peeing may show up suddenly, without any prior problems, and require immediate care.

Another name for a urethral stricture is urethral stricture disease.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of a urethral stricture?

The most common sign of a urethral stricture is a weak pee stream. Symptoms of a weak pee stream may include:

Straining to pee
Pain while peeing (dysuria)

Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Inflammation in your prostate gland (prostatitis)

Medical Emergency Warning

If you have a severe urethral stricture, you may suddenly not be able to pee at all. This is acute urinary retention. Acute urinary retention is a medical emergency. Without treatment, pee can back up your urinary system and cause one or both kidneys to swell (hydronephrosis). It can also cause your kidneys to stop working (kidney failure).

What causes a urethral stricture?

The most common causes of a urethral stricture are chronic (long-term) inflammation or an injury that causes scar tissue. Scar tissue causes the urethra to become narrow, which makes it more difficult for pee to flow.

Scar tissue can gradually form from:

An injury to your penis or scrotum

Sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia

Placement of urinary catheters or surgical instruments

Urethral or prostate cancer

Radiation therapy

Sometimes, the inflammation or injury to your urethra happens long before you notice a urethral stricture. In other cases, the stricture develops soon after a urethral injury.

Can you pee with a urethral stricture?

Most people can pee with a urethral stricture, but it may be uncomfortable or painful. You may not feel like you're able to empty your bladder completely. You might not be able to pee at all if you have a severe urethral stricture. Seek medical help quickly if you feel like you have to pee but can't.

Who do urethral strictures affect?

Anyone can get a urethral stricture. But it becomes more common if you have a penis and you're older than 55.

Management and Treatment

How do you fix urethral stricture?

Urethral stricture treatment may include:

Urethral Dilation

During this procedure, a urologist uses long, thin rods that gradually increase in thickness to open the stricture.

Internal Urethrotomy

Involves using a cystoscope with a small knife (scalpel) at the end. A urologist uses the cystoscope to cut away scar tissue.

Urethral Reconstruction

A urologist will remove the stricture and reconnect the healthy ends of your urethra.

Prevention

How do I prevent a urethral stricture?

You can't prevent all causes of urethral strictures. But you can help prevent injuries to the pelvic area of your body by:

Wear a properly fitting athletic cup during sports

Apply lubricating jelly when inserting a urinary catheter

Use condoms to prevent STIs

Get prompt treatment for suspected STIs

Important: If you suspect you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), talk to a medical provider right away. Make sure you take your full course of antibiotics as prescribed.