By Olatunde Kemi
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The Urethra is a tubelike structure that extends from the bladder  to the urethra meatus. In male, it extends from the bladder through the prostrate and the penis to the meatus.

It serves as the carnage through which the urine passes from the bladder to be expelled from the body.

It is normally wide enough to allow the free flow of urine. The narrowing of the urethra is what is referred to as Urethra Stricture according to the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Niran Ikuomola.

It is a medical condition that mainly affects men.

Urethral stricture involves constriction of the urethra. This is usually due to tissue inflammation or the presence of scar tissue. Scar tissue can be a result of many factors. Young boys who have hypospadias surgery (a procedure to correct an underdeveloped urethra) and men who have penile implants have a higher chance of developing urethral stricture.

A straddle injury is a common type of trauma that can lead to urethral stricture. Examples of straddle injuries include falling on a bicycle bar or getting hit in the area close to the scrotum.

Other possible causes of urethral stricture include:

Pelvic fractures

Catheter insertion

Radiation

Surgery performed on the prostate

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Rare causes include:

A tumor located in close proximity to the urethra.

Untreated or repetitive urinary tract infections.

The sexually transmitted infections (STIs) gonorrhea or chlamydia.

Some men have an elevated risk of developing urethral stricture, especially those who have:

Had one or more STIs

Had a recent catheter (a small, flexible tube inserted into the body to drain urine from the bladder) placement.

Had urethritis (swelling and irritation in the urethra), possibly due to infection.

An Urethral stricture can cause numerous symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Some of the signs of a urethral stricture include:

Weak urine flow or reduction in the volume of urine

Sudden, frequent urges to urinate

A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying after urination

Frequent starting and stopping urinary stream

Pain or burning during urination

inability to control urination (incontinence)

Pain in the pelvic or lower abdominal area

Urethral discharge

Penile swelling and pain

Presence of blood in the semen or urine

Darkening of the urine

Inability to urinate (this is very serious and requires immediate medical attention)

A simple physical examination of the penis area can help the doctor identify the presence of a urinary stricture.

Treatment depends on the severity of the condition.

The primary mode of treatment is to make the urethra wider by using a medical instrument called a dilator. This is an outpatient procedure, meaning you won’t have to spend the night at the hospital. A doctor will begin by passing a small wire through the urethra and into the bladder to begin to dilate it. Over time, larger dilators will gradually increase the width of the urethra.

Another nonsurgical option is permanent urinary catheter placement. This procedure is usually done in severe cases. It has risks, such as bladder irritation and urinary tract infection.

An open urethroplasty is an option for longer, more severe strictures.

In severe cases, a complete urinary diversion procedure may be necessary. This surgery permanently reroutes the flow of urine to an opening in the abdomen. It involves using part of the intestines to help connect the ureters to the opening. Urinary diversion is usually only performed if the bladder is severely damaged or if it needs to be removed.

It’s not always possible to prevent urethral stricture. Since STIs are one cause, using protection during sexual contact can prevent some cases. However, injuries and other medical conditions associated with urethral stricture can’t always be avoided.

It’s important to see a doctor right away if you’re experiencing symptoms of urethral stricture. Treating the problem quickly is the best way to avoid serious complications.

Many people have a good outcome after treatment for a urethral stricture. You may need future treatments as well if the stricture is the result of scar tissue.

In some cases, stricture can cause urinary retention, the inability to urinate due to complete blockage in the urethra. This is a potentially dangerous condition. You should call your doctor right away if you experience symptoms of stricture and are unable to urinate.