Introduction
Are you having difficulty passing urine? Recurring UTIs? Do you often have pain while urinating or notice blood in the urine? If yes, you may need to get checked for urethral stricture.
A urethral stricture is an obstruction of the urethra. It may seem harmless, but it is a serious condition that affects the urinary system. Pain, discomfort, and trouble urinating are some of the most common causes of urethral stricture. However, if left untreated, it can lead to more serious problems, such as urinary retention, kidney damage, or infections.
There are several effective treatment options available for urethral stricture, including urethral stricture treatment without surgery and urethral stricture ayurvedic treatment.
In this blog, we will explore urethral stricture treatment without surgery, which is often used to treat mild to moderate conditions. So, let’s proceed!
What is a Urethral Stricture?
A urethral stricture is a condition that occurs when there is a narrowing in the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder and exits from the body, due to scarring or inflammation. The stricture blocks the tube, restricting the normal flow of urine and making it difficult or painful to pee.
Ignoring these issues can lead to more serious health issues, such as kidney damage, bladder stones, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and difficulty or pain while urinating. Thus, seeking medical treatment is essential to avoid long-term health complications.
Moreover, urethral stricture in women is considered rare compared to men. This is because females have a shorter urethra than males. The average length is 3-5 cm, which means there is less space for urethral stricture to develop in women.
Symptoms of Urethral Stricture
With urethral stricture symptoms, you may have difficulty emptying your bladder properly. The symptoms of urethral stricture can be similar to other urinary conditions. Therefore, a proper medical diagnosis is essential to differentiate between them.
The common urethral stricture symptoms include:
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Pain during urination
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Decreased urine stream
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Spraying or dribbling of urine
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Straining during urination
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Frequent UTIs
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Often urges to urinate
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Blood in the urine
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Urethral discharge
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Swelling of the genitalia
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Loss of bladder control
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Abdominal pain
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Dark urine
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Difficulty emptying your bladder during urination
5 Non-surgical Treatment Options
When it comes to urethral stricture treatment, several options are available based on the size of the stricture and the severity of the condition. So, let’s explore five effective options for urethral stricture treatment without surgery:
1. Urethral Dilation:
Urethral dilation is a non-surgical procedure which is used to treat urethral stricture. The healthcare provider uses progressively larger dilators or balloons to widen the narrowed area of the urethra. This procedure is often used for mild to moderate conditions, providing temporary relief. However, urethral strictures can recur, thus requiring repeated sessions.
2. Internal Urethrotomy:
This procedure is performed by using a cystoscope to make small incisions in the stricture tissue that widens the urethra. However, the doctor often performs this process under local anaesthesia.
3. Intermittent Self-catheterisation (ISC):
Intermittent Self-catheterisation (ISC) is a procedure to treat urethral stricture where a catheter is inserted into the urethra to empty the bladder at regular intervals, depending on individual requirements and bladder capacity. Generally, this non-surgical treatment option is safe and effective, helping manage bladder emptying problems.
4. Drug-coated Balloon Dilation:
Drug-coated balloon dilation is an effective procedure used to treat urethral stricture. During this method, a special balloon catheter coated with a drug, like paclitaxel, is inserted to widen the urethra, which helps prevent scar tissue formation and minimises the risk of relapse.
5. Self-care:
Apart from the above-mentioned procedures, self-care measures can also be helpful to manage urethral stricture. These measures include:
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Maintaining Good Hygiene:
Maintaining good hygiene, like regularly washing the genital area, is essential for preventing infection.
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Staying Hydrated:
Drinking enough water can help improve symptoms of urethral stricture by flushing out bacteria or infections.
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Avoiding Strain:
It is recommended to avoid prolonged activities that may put a strain on the urethra.
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Having a High-nutritional Diet:
Taking a diet rich in vitamin C and other beneficial nutrients may support the healing process, potentially helping manage urethral stricture symptoms.
Urethral stricture can often be the cause for urinary incontinence. If your family member or someone you know is experiencing a medical condition with the symptoms of bladder control or urine incontinence, then help them with Friends Adult Insert Pads and Premium Underpads, which absorb urine leaks, offer comfort as well as anti-bacterial protection.
Apart from the above-mentioned non-surgical treatment options, you can also go for the urethral stricture ayurvedic treatment option, which is considered safe and effective.
Generally, not everyone wants a surgical option to treat a disease, as this may have some serious after-effects, like pain and infection. In addition, surgery is not a permanent solution for a particular disease until the condition is severe. Similarly, in the matter of urethral stricture, surgery may lead to its recurrence. Therefore, urethral stricture treatment without surgery is the best option, depending on the severity of the condition. This procedure is effective in treating the condition and providing relief.
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FAQs
Q1. How do I know if I have a stricture?
Ans. If you have symptoms, such as pain while urinating, decreased urine stream, trouble emptying the bladder, blood in the urine, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and a spraying urine stream, and suspect urethral stricture, then consult your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Q2. Can medications cure a urethral stricture?
Ans. No medicines alone can cure a urethral stricture. While medications can help manage symptoms and are used to address related complications, they cannot remove the scar tissue formation, causing the narrowing of the urethra.
Q3. How can pelvic floor therapy help?
Ans. Pelvic floor therapy can be beneficial for urethral stricture. It strengthens the pelvic floor muscles, which helps improve urine flow and bladder control.
Q4. What are the long-term risks of urethral strictures?
Ans. If left untreated, urethral stricture can cause long-term complications, such as Kidney damage, bladder damage, frequent UTIs, infertility, and in rare cases, urethral cancer.
Q5. Can STDs cause strictures?
Ans. Yes, STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) can cause urethral stricture. Especially, gonorrhoea and chlamydia can lead to inflammation and scarring in the urethra, causing narrowing.
