Urethral Stricture – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
A urethral stricture happens when scar tissue narrows the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of your body.
This narrowing restricts urine flow from the bladder, resulting in less urine being expelled. This condition can lead to various urinary tract problems, including infections.
Signs of Urethral Narrowing
People with urethral stricture often notice a weak stream when urinating. They may feel their bladder doesn’t empty completely or see urine spray in multiple directions.
Urination can become painful or difficult.
Other common signs include:
- Frequent urination needs
- Painful urination
- Recurring urinary infections
These symptoms typically develop gradually and may worsen over time if left untreated.
Causes
Urethral stricture happens when scar tissue narrows the urethra. This condition affects men much more frequently than women.
Several factors can lead to this scarring.
| Common Causes of Urethral Stricture |
|---|
| Medical procedures using urethral tools |
| Catheter use |
| Physical trauma to the urethra or pelvis |
| Prostate problems (enlargement, surgery, cancer) |
| Sexually transmitted infections |
| Radiation therapy |
| Lichen sclerosus skin condition |
| Unknown causes |
Medical procedures often contribute to urethral strictures. When doctors insert tools like endoscopes into the urethra, this can cause tissue damage.
Similarly, catheter use (tubes placed in the urethra to drain urine) may lead to scarring over time.
Physical trauma plays a significant role in many cases. Injuries to the urethra or pelvic region can damage the urethral tissue, resulting in strictures as the body heals.
Prostate-related issues commonly cause strictures in men, including:
- Enlarged prostate
- Prostate surgery complications
- Prostate cancer
Infections can also damage the urethral lining. Sexually transmitted infections sometimes lead to inflammation and subsequent scarring of the urethra.
Cancer treatments may contribute to stricture development. Radiation therapy, especially when treating cancers in the pelvic region, can cause tissue damage that leads to strictures.
Some skin conditions affect urethral health. Lichen sclerosus, which causes thin, discolored patches of skin, can involve the genital area and lead to urethral narrowing.
Despite these known causes, many patients develop urethral strictures without any clear reason. Medical professionals classify these as idiopathic or unknown cause strictures.
