Urethral stricture: when the urine passage slowly narrows.
A stream that weakens month by month is often a stricture — scar tissue narrowing the urethra. Modern procedures can restore normal flow durably.
What is a urethral stricture?
The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body. When injury, infection or inflammation leaves scar tissue in it, the passage narrows — a stricture. Urine then has to squeeze through a smaller opening, and the bladder has to work harder.
Symptoms of a stricture.
- Urine stream that is weak, thin or spraying — often getting worse over months
- Straining or taking a long time to pass urine
- Feeling that the bladder has not emptied fully
- Repeated urinary infections
- Pain or swelling when the bladder is very full
Cannot pass urine at all? That is an emergency — a stricture can block the passage completely. Seek immediate care.
How strictures are diagnosed and treated.
Diagnosis usually involves a urine flow test, ultrasound to check bladder emptying, and sometimes an X-ray study of the urethra or a telescopic look inside — these show exactly where and how long the narrowing is, which decides treatment.
- VIU (visual internal urethrotomy) — through a telescope, the tight ring of scar is opened with a fine cut. Quick and effective for short strictures
- BMG urethroplasty — for longer or recurrent strictures, the narrowed segment is reconstructed using a small graft from the inner cheek (buccal mucosa). This gives among the most durable results
- Follow-up flow tests — simple checks that catch any recurrence early
Consultant Urologist, Andrologist and Robotic Surgeon. He performs VIU and BMG urethroplasty procedures to restore urinary flow at MEDICOVER Hospitals, Hitec City and LUX Hospitals, Gachibowli.
View full doctor profile →Frequently asked questions.
Why is my urine stream getting weaker?
A progressively weakening stream in a younger man often points to a urethral stricture (scar narrowing the passage); in older men an enlarged prostate is more common. A flow test and sometimes an X-ray or telescopic examination tell the difference.
What is urethroplasty and is it better than repeated dilatation?
Urethroplasty reconstructs the narrowed segment of the urethra — for longer or recurrent strictures it gives the most durable result. Repeated dilatation or VIU can help short strictures but often needs repeating when used for longer ones. The right choice depends on the stricture's length and position.
Can a urethral stricture come back after treatment?
Strictures can recur, which is why follow-up with a simple urine flow test matters. BMG urethroplasty has among the lowest recurrence rates for suitable strictures.
Get your stream evaluated.
Request an appointment with Dr. Sreeniketh Reddy at MEDICOVER Hospitals, Hitec City or LUX Hospitals, Gachibowli.