Urethral Stricture Disease

Urethral stricture disease is a condition where the urethra, the tube carrying urine from the bladder out of the body, becomes narrowed or blocked.

This can result from inflammation, injury, or scarring of the urethral tissues.

Urethral strictures can affect both men and women, though they are more common in men.

Urologists at WashU Medicine have the experience and expertise to help people with urethral stricture disease in St. Louis and the surrounding areas. As a regional referral center, we see people from around the region who need quality urologic care.

Symptoms of urethral stricture disease

Identifying urethral stricture disease can be challenging as its symptoms may resemble those of other urinary conditions.

However, common symptoms include:

• Difficulty urinating: A decreased urine stream or difficulty initiating urination.
• Frequent urination: An increased urge to urinate, often coupled with a diminished output.
• Incomplete bladder emptying: Feeling that the bladder has not been fully emptied after urination.
• Painful urination: Experiencing pain or discomfort during urination.
• Urinary tract infections: Frequent or recurrent infections that can result from the inability to empty the bladder completely.

Treating urethral stricture disease

Urethroplasty is a surgical procedure considered the gold standard for treating urethral strictures. This procedure involves reconstructing the narrowed section of the urethra to restore normal urine flow.

Benefits of urethroplasty

Urethroplasty offers several benefits over other treatment options, such as dilatation or internal urethrotomy:

• Higher success rates: Urethroplasty has a lower recurrence rate of strictures, offering long-term relief.
• Improved quality of life: Restoring normal urine flow reduces symptoms and improves urinary function.
• Reduced risk of complications: Effective treatment decreases the likelihood of urinary tract infections and other related complications.