A narrowing of the urethra that restricts urine flow, treatable with modern techniques. A urethral stricture can make passing urine slow and difficult, but with accurate diagnosis and the right procedure, normal flow can usually be restored. Dr. Anish Gupta treats urethral strictures in Delhi NCR using precise, minimally-invasive methods.
What is a urethral stricture?
The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. A urethral stricture is a narrowing of this tube, usually caused by scar tissue. As the channel narrows, urine cannot flow freely, which leads to a weaker stream and a range of bothersome symptoms. Strictures are far more common in men than in women because the male urethra is much longer.
Left untreated, a stricture can make the bladder work harder, cause repeated infections and, in time, affect the kidneys — so it is best assessed and treated early.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a urethral stricture come from the restricted flow of urine and include:
- A weak or slow urine stream, or a stream that sprays or splits
- Straining to pass urine and taking longer to empty
- A feeling that the bladder has not emptied fully
- Needing to urinate more often or urgently
- Dribbling after urination
- Recurrent urinary infections
- Discomfort when passing urine
Causes and risk factors
Strictures form when scar tissue develops in the urethra. Common causes and risk factors include:
- Injury to the urethra or a straddle-type injury to the perineum
- Previous urinary procedures, surgery or catheter use
- Repeated or severe urinary tract infections and inflammation
- Certain sexually transmitted infections
- Skin conditions affecting the genital area
- In some cases, no clear cause is found
When to see a urologist
See a urologist if your urine stream is becoming weaker, you are straining to pass urine, or you have repeated urinary infections. Seek urgent care if you suddenly cannot pass urine at all — this is a painful emergency called acute urinary retention. Early assessment protects the bladder and kidneys and gives the widest choice of treatment options before the scarring becomes more extensive.
How it is diagnosed
Diagnosis focuses on confirming the narrowing and measuring its length and position. Dr. Anish Gupta may advise:
- A urine flow test to measure the strength of your stream
- An ultrasound scan to see how well the bladder empties
- A cystoscopy to look directly at the narrowed area
- A special X-ray of the urethra (urethrogram) to map the stricture
Treatment options
Treatment is chosen according to the length, position and cause of the stricture, as well as whether it has occurred before.
Dilatation
The narrowed section can be gently stretched using fine instruments. This is simple and quick, though strictures can sometimes return, so it may need to be repeated.
Optical urethrotomy
Using a fine telescope, the scarred narrowing is carefully cut to open up the channel. This minimally-invasive procedure works well for short, first-time strictures and allows a quick recovery.
Urethroplasty
For longer, recurrent or more complex strictures, urethroplasty is a reconstructive operation that removes or repairs the scarred segment, sometimes using a graft of the patient's own tissue. It offers the most durable, long-lasting results for suitable strictures.
Dr. Anish Gupta will explain which approach suits your stricture best. You can read more in our overview of urethral stricture.
Why choose Dr. Anish Gupta
Dr. Anish Gupta is a Consultant Urologist & Andrologist with over 20 years of experience and particular expertise in endo-urology and minimally-invasive surgery. He matches the treatment to the individual stricture, aiming to restore comfortable flow while reducing the chance of it returning. Care is available across three locations in Delhi NCR — Ashok Vihar, Rohini and Karol Bagh.
Frequently asked questions
Can a urethral stricture come back after treatment?
Simpler treatments such as dilatation or urethrotomy can sometimes need repeating, as scar tissue may re-form. Reconstructive surgery (urethroplasty) offers the most lasting results for suitable strictures. The best option depends on the length and cause of the narrowing.
Is urethral stricture treatment painful?
Procedures are carried out under anaesthesia, so you should not feel pain during treatment. There may be some mild discomfort or stinging when passing urine for a short time afterwards, which settles quickly and is easily managed.
What happens if a stricture is left untreated?
An untreated stricture can worsen over time, causing repeated infections, incomplete bladder emptying and, eventually, strain on the kidneys. In some cases it can lead to a sudden inability to pass urine, which is an emergency. Early treatment avoids these complications.
How long is recovery after stricture surgery?
Recovery depends on the procedure. Minimally-invasive treatments allow a return to normal activity within days, often with a catheter for a short period. Reconstructive surgery needs a longer recovery, which Dr. Anish Gupta will explain fully before any operation.
Every treatment plan starts with a proper assessment, so you only get the care your condition actually needs — and if the honest answer is that you don't need a procedure, you'll hear that too.