Urethral stricture: symptoms, causes, to medications. • hello healthy

Definition

What is a urethral stricture?

Urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethral urethra that results from an injury or swelling in the area. The urethra is the tube through which urine flows out of the bladder.

Urethral stricture can cause various problems in the urinary tract, both in the form of inflammation and infection. The sores that arise due to this problem will block and weaken the flow of urine. Severe strictures may actually block urine flow.

This condition can develop gradually and make sufferers always feel an urgency to urinate. In some cases, symptoms can also appear suddenly. If so, the patient needs immediate treatment.

How common is this condition?

Urethral stricture can occur at any age. However, this disease is more common in men, because men have a urethra that is longer than women. This disease can be overcome by reducing risk factors.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of urethral stricture?

Symptoms of this disease can include mild discomfort when urinating, including the following:

• Difficulty starting urinating.
• Pain when urinating (anyang-anyangan)
• Urinary tract infection (UTI).
• Urine retention.
• The bladder is not completely empty.
• Weak urine flow.
• Pee in small drops.
• Heavy or divided urine.
• Blood in the urine (hematuria).
• Blood in semen.
• This urinary incontinence.
• Pelvic pain.
• The ability to ejaculate is reduced.

There may be some signs or symptoms not listed above. If you are concerned about the symptoms, please consult your doctor.

Quoted from the Cleveland Clinic, some people with severe urethral stricture are unable to urinate at all. This condition is known as urinary retention and is a medical emergency. Hydronephrosis and kidney failure can also occur because urine reserves are not depleted in the kidneys.

Urethral strictures can also cause inflammation of the prostate. Your urethra is surrounded by the prostate, just below the bladder. Inflammation of the prostate is known as prostatitis. Urine reserves can also lead to severe urinary tract infections.

When should you see a doctor?

You should see a doctor right away if you experience symptoms of urethral stricture. Especially when the disease causes bleeding. Urethral stricture may be a symptom of other serious illnesses.

Cause

What causes urethral stricture?

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, scar tissue that can narrow the urethra can be caused by the following.

• A medical procedure that inserts an instrument, such as an endoscope, into the urethra.
• Long-term use of a tube that is inserted through the urethra to drain the bladder (urine catheter).
• Trauma or injury to the urethra or pelvis.
• Benign prostate enlargement (BPH disease) or surgery to remove or reduce an enlarged prostate gland.
• Urethral or prostate cancer.
• Sexually transmitted infections.
• Radiation therapy.

Sometimes, inflammation of the urethra only occurs some time after the urethra is injured from the above procedures. However, there are also other cases that occur immediately after the retra injury.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the most common tests to diagnose this condition?

When you begin to feel symptoms related to urination problems, you should immediately see a doctor to find the disease that is causing the condition.

First, the doctor will perform a physical examination first. Then the doctor asks about your medical history and previous procedures to find out the possibility of injury.

The following is a follow-up examination done by the doctor to diagnose your condition.

1. Non-invasive testing

Noninvasive testing or no blood sampling can identify problems with emptying the bladder. The results of these tests will help the doctor determine if there is any blockage or narrowing.

Later, you will be asked to urinate using a collection device shaped like a funnel that will measure how strong your urine is flowing. This stage is often called a test uroflow.

Next is to measure the post-void residual volume (the amount of urine that is left in the bladder when you finish urinating). The post-void residue can be measured via ultrasound on the bladder.

In this condition some amount of urine will remain in the bladder. During scanning ultrasound, Sound waves are used to create images that allow your doctor to measure how much urine is left.

Unfortunately, noninvasive testing cannot determine if this problem is due to a stricture, enlarged prostate, weakening of the bladder, or other problems.

This test is only an early stage to identify problems with your urinary tract.

2. Imaging tests

If urethral stricture is suspected, an imaging procedure called a cystourethrogram is needed to find the problem and measure it.

A cystourethrogram is an X-ray procedure where a contrast agent is sprayed into the opening of the penis. Later, the X-ray film will find the narrowing and how long it is.

In rare cases, you will be asked to urinate after your bladder is full. This can help identify urethral strictures during the urination process.

3. Cystoscopy

Cystoscopy is a procedure in which a small, flexible camera is named cystoscope inserted into the penis. This procedure will help the doctor see the inside of the urethra.

This procedure takes five to 10 minutes. Before performing the procedure, the doctor will administer a numbing medication that is inserted into your urethra.

4. Retrograde urethrogram

This procedure will be performed once a stricture is detected. R etrograde urethrogram aims to determine the length and degree of narrowing that occurs in the urethra.

In this procedure, iodine contrast media will be inserted into the urethra to help show the image of the area using X-rays or ultrasound.

This procedure is very important to do, because the results of the examination will be a reference for doctors to determine the method of treatment to be carried out. It should be noted, however, that the treatment for urethral stricture will be influenced by the location and length of the stricture.

Treatment

What are the treatment options for urethral stricture?

Treatment for this condition is determined by imaging tests. Treatment options include:

• dilation, gradual widening of the urethra,
• internal urethrotomy, cutting the stricture with a laser or knife, and
• urethral reconstruction, surgical removal of strictures.

Short strictures can be relieved by urethral dilatation or internal urethrotomy. After receiving anesthesia, your urethra will be dilated using a series of instruments that can gradually expand. Cystoscope may also be used in this procedure.

Urethrotomy is use cystoscope to cut rings and scar tissue, and open blocked areas.

After the procedure, a urethral catheter will usually be placed in the urethra for three to five days. A problem that can arise as a result of these procedures is stricture recurring. In some cases, however, this procedure can fix the problem.

If dilation or urethrotomy fails and urethral stricture returns, urethral reconstruction may be necessary to maintain a more durable outcome. In some cases, this procedure involves removing scar tissue, then suturing the ends of the urethra back together.

In some patients, surgery can be done more than once and using different procedures. Here are a few other options.

Anastomotic urethroplasty

This procedure is usually performed for short urethral strictures. In this procedure, the doctor will make an incision between the scrotum and rectum. Then the doctor fuses the urethra, which has previously been through the stricture removal.

After surgery, a small catheter is placed in place for 10 to 21 days or until the patient's condition improves. Uretroplasty substitution

Uretroplasty substitution

If the stricture is long, other healthy tissue will be removed to replace the affected part. In severe cases, this replacement can be done gradually. This procedure is divided into several types, namely:

• Free graft. The procedure is performed by replacing or enlarging the urethral tract using tissue from the patient's own body. The tissue that may be removed is the skin on the shaft of the penis or the inside of the cheek.
• Skin flap. In this procedure, a fold of skin is rotated away from the penis to create a new section of the urethra. This will be done when the stricture is more severe and longer.
• Staged. This procedure is performed when the local network cannot correct the stricture. As the name suggests, this procedure consists of several stages. First, the lower part of the urethra will be opened, then a new tissue graft will be placed in the area. During healing, the patient will urinate through a new opening at the back of the stricture. Second, after healing, the tissue will be formed into tubes. The urethra returns to normal.

Because strictures can come back even after surgery, patients should continue to have regular checkups with the urologist. After the catheter is removed, the patient should undergo a physical examination and X-ray scans as needed to ensure that the condition has actually improved.

Sometimes, strictures that come back do not cause certain problems that require you to undergo special treatment. However, be careful if the stricture starts to cause a blockage that makes it difficult for you to urinate.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can help with urethral stricture?

The following lifestyle and home remedies can help you deal with urethral stricture:

• Be sure to wear protection when doing dangerous sports.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle and do regular check-ups to detect progress at any time and appropriate treatment.

If you have any questions, please consult with your doctor to find out the best solution for you.