Urethral Strictures
A urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra that makes it difficult to pass urine. Although it may affect women, this condition is more prevalent among men. The narrowing may occur anywhere along the urethra, from the bladder neck to the end of the penis. It may be caused by scarring from an injury, infection or swelling. When a narrowing in the ureter occurs, the kidneys cannot function normally and will be damaged over time.
Urethral strictures develop when scar tissue forms inside the urethra, making the urethral tube narrower and leading to difficulty passing urine. It affects about 1% of men in developed countries.
The first symptoms of urethral stricture usually include a slow or inconsistent urine stream, pain while urinating, frequent urination and loss of bladder control. Diagnosing urethral strictures may involve a combination of radiographic imaging and cystoscopy.
Most urethral strictures can be treated with surgery, specifically a urethroplasty, which repairs the narrowing of the urethra through an incision in the perineum (between the anus and the scrotum).
When you come to City of Hope, you automatically gain access to an unparalleled array of support services to help you and your loved ones take each step during and after urethral stricture treatment.
Our Urethral Stricture Expertise
City of Hope is a nationally recognized leader in researching and treating urologic conditions and has been named by U.S. News & World Report as one of America's top urology and cancer hospitals.
Just as no two patients are alike, urethral strictures require a personalized treatment plan to attain the best possible outcomes.
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