Overview

A urethral (u-REE-thrul) stricture involves scarring that narrows the tube that carries urine out of your body (urethra). A stricture restricts the flow of urine from the bladder and can cause a variety of medical problems in the urinary tract, including inflammation or infection.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of urethral stricture include:

• Decreased urine stream
• Incomplete bladder emptying
• Spraying of the urine stream
• Difficulty, straining or pain when urinating
• Increased urge to urinate or more-frequent urination
• Urinary tract infection

Causes

Scar tissue, which can narrow the urethra, can be due to:

• A medical procedure that involves inserting an instrument, such as an endoscope, into the urethra
• Intermittent or long-term use of a tube inserted through the urethra to drain the bladder (catheter)
• Trauma or injury to the urethra or pelvis
• An enlarged prostate or previous surgery to remove or reduce an enlarged prostate gland
• Cancer of the urethra or prostate
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Radiation therapy

Urethral stricture is much more common in males than in females. Often the cause is unknown.