Overview
A urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra caused by scar tissue. This narrowing restricts the flow of urine from the bladder and can lead to inflammation or infection.
Symptoms
- Weak urine flow or spraying.
- Straining to urinate.
- Incomplete bladder emptying.
- Recurrent urinary tract infections.
Causes
Strictures in women are less common than in men but can occur due to trauma, previous urethral surgery, or infection.
Treatment
Dilation
Gently stretching the urethra to widen the narrowing. This is often the first line of treatment.
Urethroplasty
Surgical reconstruction of the urethra to remove the narrowed section or widen it using a graft.