A urethral stricture occurs when scar tissue narrows the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. This narrowing can restrict urine flow and may lead to symptoms such as a weak or spraying urine stream, difficulty or pain during urination, frequent urination, incomplete bladder emptying, or recurrent urinary tract infections.
Urethral strictures can develop after trauma or injury, catheterization, medical procedures involving the urethra, infections, inflammation, or previous prostate surgery. In some cases, the exact cause may not be identified.
Diagnosis may involve urine testing, measurement of urinary flow, imaging such as a retrograde urethrogram, ultrasound, or cystoscopy. These tests can help determine the location and length of the narrowing and guide treatment decisions.
Treatment depends on the severity, location, and length of the stricture. Options can include urethral dilation, endoscopic urethrotomy, catheterization in selected situations, or urethroplasty for certain strictures. Because strictures can recur after treatment, follow-up is an important part of care.
Urethral stricture treatment is performed by Dr. Cheol-Young Yoon. Anyone experiencing persistent difficulty urinating, a significantly weaker urine stream, or repeated urinary infections should seek an appropriate urological evaluation.