Urethral strictures can be caused by other urological conditions. Similarly, it can be the cause of other conditions too. Urological conditions are often linked because they affect the same organs and the symptoms increase your risk for other conditions. So, what are all the conditions that are linked with urethral strictures? 

From the title you can already guess one of them, but you should know there are other conditions that are linked too. Some of the conditions are exclusive to men like the link between urethral stricture and erectile dysfunction or urethral stricture and prostate problems. However, there are other conditions that can affect everyone over a certain age. So, let’s dive deep and look at all the different conditions that relate to urethral strictures.

Urethral Stricture And Bladder Dysfunction

Bladder dysfunction is a result of urethral strictures, but it is a different condition in itself too. Meaning, you can get bladder dysfunction even without urethral strictures. This condition leads to the person not being able to control their bladder when it's full leading to leakage or accidental wetting. It is common, especially among children and people of advanced age. Pregnant women also can be affected by bladder dysfunction.

When it comes to the connection between urethral stricture and bladder dysfunction, it is resulted from the blockage of the urethra caused by the stricture. Due to the blockage, the flow of urine is prohibited and it creates issues with you holding your urine and also urinating properly. The frequency of urination is increased and the urgency is increased many times. If the condition is left untreated, the patient can slowly lose control of their bladder causing leakages and other symptoms of bladder dysfunction. 

Urethral strictures can only be treated through surgery so if you are having strictures, you need to get the appropriate treatment to get rid of the bladder dysfunction symptoms that are caused by it. Bladder dysfunction can affect your lifestyle, routine, and even mental health. Plus, it can be a major symptom of urethral strictures and other urological conditions, especially in men. So, if you are having the symptoms, you should consult medical help.

Urethral Stricture And Prostate Problems

Urethral strictures and prostate problems have similar symptoms. Both these conditions cause problems in passing urine from your body. In the case of strictures, there is a blockage in the urethra, which causes the problem in passing urine. And in the case of prostate problems, the flow of urine is constricted by the enlarged prostate. While the symptoms are similar, there are more connections between these two conditions.

Prostate problems can be a cause of urethral strictures. This is because an enlarged prostate, that doesn’t allow you to empty your bladder properly can cause urinary tract infections. These infections can cause urethral strictures in your body. And not only that, but the treatment of an enlarged prostate can also cause urethral strictures. Given strictures can show up even years after the treatment of your prostate problems, it is very difficult to understand the risks involved and that if you will get strictures or not. So, to keep yourself safe, you must follow the doctor’s post-operative instructions very clearly and make sure you follow the dietary and lifestyle changes they prescribe to keep yourself safe.

Urethral Stricture And Ureteric Obstruction

Urethral strictures and ureteric obstructions are quite similar in the way that ureteric obstructions are strictures in the ureter instead of the urethra. Both conditions lead to problems passing urine. However, the conditions they can lead to are different. Given the ureter is coming right out of your kidney, ureteric obstructions can affect your kidneys and cause kidney stones. Urethral strictures can cause kidney stones too but that is rarer comparitively. 

Urethral strictures and ureteric obstruction both increase your risk for the other condition compared to a person who is healthy. The treatment processes of ureteric obstructions and urethral strictures are also quite similar with a focus on minimally invasive surgical procedures being used to treat both conditions. Getting these procedures done by experienced institutions like MASSH are a great way to ensure that you are safe and the risk of recurrence is kept at a minimum post-treatment.

Urethral Stricture And Erectile Dysfunction

Treatment of urethral stricture can cause erectile dysfunction. That is the direct link between urethral stricture and erectile dysfunction. During the treatment of urethral strictures, doctors may even need to cut out a part of the urethra, where the stricture is. This can cause erectile dysfunction and even penile curvature or shortening. Erectile dysfunction caused by urethral stricture is treatable if you get treatment as soon as you start noticing the issue. Urethral stricture can also affect your sexual health in other ways, namely, it can lead to loss of libido, which can cause erectile dysfunction as well.

The main risk factor for erectile dysfunction in the case of urethral stricture comes from the surgical treatment processes you need to go through. So, if you are worried about the side effects, you should discuss them with your doctors and they will be able to help you navigate the treatment without compromising your sexual wellness. Even if you get erectile dysfunction post-surgery, it is treatable in most cases in just a few months.

Urethral Stricture And Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are one of the major causes of urethral strictures. Additionally, urethral strictures can also cause urinary tract infections from the accumulation of residual urine that stays behind in your bladder. Urinary tract infections can hamper your health and immunity and lead to other more serious health conditions. This is one of the conditions that affect both men and women that are linked to urethral strictures.

Urinary tract infections need to be treated prior to treating the strictures. Even after the surgery is complete, patients are required to maintain their health and follow certain guidelines to ensure that they don’t get any more urinary tract infections. UTIs can increase your risk of the strictures recurring and can even lead to other urological conditions. So, to keep your urological health safe, as you age, you have to protect yourself against both urethral stricture and urinary tract infections.

Conclusion

Urethral strictures can be difficult to get through given the condition can reoccur and it is difficult to predict why. If you have this condition, you need specialised medical care to ensure you can get the required treatment for your strictures. At MASSH, we ensure our patients get the best care for urethral strictures with world-class minimally invasive surgical procedures performed by a team of experienced and expert doctors to reduce the chance of stricture recurrence close to nil.