Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Urethral stricture

Table of Contents

Symptoms
  • Blood in the semen
  • Bloody or dark urine
  • Decreased urine output
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Discharge from the urethra
  • Frequent or urgent urination
  • Inability to urinate (urinary retention)
  • Incontinence
  • Painful urination (dysuria)
  • Pain in the lower abdomen
  • Pelvic pain
  • Slow urine stream (may develop suddenly or gradually)
  • Spraying of urine stream
  • Swelling of the penis

Signs and tests

A physical examination may show the following:

  • Decreased urinary stream
  • Discharge from the urethra
  • Enlarged (distended) bladder
  • Enlarged or tender lymph nodes in the groin (inguinal) area
  • Enlarged or tender prostate
  • Hardness (induration) on the under surface of the penis
  • Redness or swelling of the penis

Sometimes the exam reveals no abnormalities.

Tests include the following:

  • Cystoscopy
  • Post-void residual (PVR) volume
  • Retrograde urethrogram
  • Tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea
  • Urinalysis
  • Urinary flow rate
  • Urine culture

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)