What happens during a urethral stricture?

The first sign for a urethral stricture is a clearly diminished stream of urine. This change in the urine stream is also the clearest sign for this disease. The stream doesn’t just have to be weaker, but it can also appear different in form and / or direction. A different form means that the urine does not necessarily flow in one stream, but rather widespread. Sometimes, the affected person has to press for urine to flow. It can also be the case that the urine stream is delayed since the urine first needs to pass the stricture of the urethra. Another complication of urethral strictures is residual urine in the…

Congenital malformation as a cause of urethral strictures

In five to ten percent of cases, congenital malformations of the urethra constitute the underlying cause of urethral strictures. Physicians distinguish between different types of malformation and the specific procedures involved in removing the urethral stricture. Urethral valves are sail-like membranes that are located within the urethra and cause it to constrict. Meatal stenosis is the medical term applied to a narrowing of the opening of the urethra. Another of these congenital abnormalities is the aforementioned hypospadias, in which the patient is born with an unusually short urethra. An additional five percent of strictures are caused by a condition known as lichen sclerosus. This inflammatory skin condition involves hardening and…