Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Urethral stricture is an abnormal narrowing of the tube that carries urine out of the body from the bladder (urethra).
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Urethral stricture may be caused by inflammation or scar tissue from surgery, disease, or injury. It may also be caused by pressure from an enlarging tumor near the urethra, although this is rare.
Other risks include:
- A history of sexually transmitted disease (STD)
- Any instrument inserted into the urethra (such as a catheter or cystoscope)
-
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - Injury or trauma to the pelvic area
- Repeated episodes of
urethritis
Strictures that are present at birth (congenital) are rare. Strictures in women are also rare.
Review Date: 09/03/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of
Medicine; Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in
Atlanta, Georgia. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
