Urethral strictures

Urethral stricture means a constriction (narrowing) of the urethra. This is a problem that was first described thousands of years ago. No matter what the reason, it often implies difficulties emptying the bladder. This problem mostly affects men. The most common way for urethral strictures to develop is an inflammation in the urethra wall that causes scarring, which in turn causes the stricture. The inflammation can be due to a sexually transmitted disease, injury or after an operation of the urethra. Scarring of the urethra can also be the result of catheterisation with indwelling catheters, or even intermittent catheters that are non-hydrophilic (the slippery tube coating that prevents friction).