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Medical Author:

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Dr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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In this Article

• What is the urethra?
• What is urethral stricture?
• What are the causes of urethral stricture?
• What are the symptoms of urethral stricture?
• What type of doctors treat urethral obstruction?
• How is urethral stricture diagnosed?
• Are there any special tests for diagnosing urethral stricture?
• What is the treatment for urethral stricture?
• What surgical options are available for urethral stricture?
• Can urethral stricture be prevented?
• What is the prognosis for urethral stricture?
• Urethral Stricture At A Glance
• Patient Comments: Urethral Stricture - Symptoms
• Find a local Urologist in your town
• Urethral Stricture Index

Symptoms of urethral stricture can range from no symptoms at all (asymptomatic), to mild discomfort, to complete urinary retention (inability to urinate).

Some of the possible symptoms and complications of urethral stricture include the following:

• Difficulty starting urine flow



• Painful urination (dysuria)



• Urinary tract infection (UTI)



• Urinary retention



• Incomplete emptying of bladder



• Decreased urine stream



• Dribbling of urine



• Spraying or double streaming urine



• Blood in the urine (hematuria)



• Blood in the semen



• Urinary incontinence



• Pelvic pain



• Discharge from the urethra



• Reduced ejaculation force

Most commonly, urethral strictures are managed by urologists, who are doctors with training and specialization in the urinary system.

When the medical history, physical examination, and symptoms are suggestive of urethral stricture, additional diagnostic tests may be helpful in further evaluation. Urinalysis (UA), urine culture, and urethral culture for sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, chlamydia) are some of the typical tests that may be ordered in this setting. Examination of the prostate and screening for prostate cancer (manual exam and measurement of prostate specific antigen or PSA) may also be done by the doctor.

Oftentimes, imaging and endoscopic studies are necessary to confirm the diagnosis and identify the cause of urethral strictures.