A urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethra caused by injury, instrumentation, infection and certain non-infectious forms of urethritis.

Signs and symptoms

The hallmark sign of urethral stricture is a weak urinary stream. Other symptoms include:

• Splaying of the urinary stream
• Urinary frequency
• Urinary urgency
• Straining to urinate
• Pain during urination
• Urinary tract infection
• Prostatitis
• Inability to completely empty the bladder.

Some patients with severe urethral strictures are completely unable to urinate. This is referred to as acute urinary retention and is a medical emergency. Hydronephrosis and renal failure may also occur.

Complications

• Urinary retention
• Prostatitis
• Bladder dysfunction
• Urethral diverticulum
• Periurethral abscess
• Fournier’s gangrene
• Urethral fistula
• Bilateral hydronephrosis