Overview
A stricture is a narrowing of a tube in the body. In urology, this commonly affects the urethra (the tube carrying urine out of the body) or the ureter (the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder), restricting urine flow.
Symptoms
- Weak urine flow
- Straining to urinate
- Pain during urination
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Incomplete bladder emptying
Causes
Causes include injury or trauma, infection (such as STIs), previous surgery, or inflammation.
Treatment
Dilation
Gradually stretching the stricture using dilators.
Urethrotomy
Cutting the stricture using a scope passed through the urethra.
Urethroplasty
Surgical reconstruction of the urethra for more severe or recurrent strictures.