Meatal stricture is a condition that causes the urethral opening to become narrow, leading to difficulty urinating and other problems. It can be caused by circumcision, urinary infections, or be congenital. Diagnosis involves physical exams and tests, and treatment includes dilation or a meatoplasty.
Meatal stricture, sometimes called urethral stricture, is a medical condition that causes the opening of the urethra to become abnormally narrow. The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body. As urine fills the bladder, it exits the organ and is expelled through the urethra. Since the health of the urethra is vital to the well-being of the urinary system, a narrowing due to meatal stricture can cause a variety of problems. For many people the most important problem may be difficulty with urination.
Although a person of any gender can get meatal stenosis, it is more common in males. Some newborns may have this condition after having a circumcision. Since the urethral opening or meatus is located near the top of the male sex organ, a surgery such as circumcision can cause great irritation, which can lead to narrowing of the urethra. There are other conditions that can inflame the urethra and cause this condition, such as frequent urinary infections and frequent use of urinary catheters. Also, meatal stenosis can be congenital and present at birth.
Most people with meatal stenosis will notice some type of change in their urination patterns. It can become difficult to urinate. Often, a person with this condition may experience pain or burning when urinating, and it may become difficult to empty the bladder completely. In some cases, nocturnal enuresis, urethral discharge may occur, and the urine may become bloody or darker than usual. Sometimes, there may also be pain in the pelvic area.
Often, a physical exam can reveal a suspicion of meatal stenosis. Sometimes, the abnormality can cause swelling in the genital area, which can be seen upon inspection. Diagnostic tests generally include a urinalysis and blood tests. Another popular test for this condition is a cystoscopy. With this procedure, doctors insert a thin tube or cystoscope into the urethra and bladder to get an elaborate view of the organs.
Females with meatal strictures usually undergo a medical procedure to dilate the urethra under local or general anesthesia. To treat this condition in males, a procedure known as a meatoplasty may be performed. During a metoplasty, the meatus or opening of the urethra widens. The procedure can be done in a healthcare provider’s office, outpatient clinic, or hospital. The symptoms of this urethral abnormality are usually completely relieved after undergoing one of these medical treatments.
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