A urethral stricture is a common urological disorder for men and women. Though the condition is more common for men, it still affects up to 13% of the female population. And if left untreated, it can cause similar symptoms and conditions for both men and women. However, despite the similarities here, the conditions differ for the two genders. How much is a urethral stricture in men different from that in women? And are there any urethral stricture treatment differences between the two genders? Let’s find out.

Urethral Stricture In Women

Urethral strictures in females are a lot less common, as you have already found out. This is mainly because the urethra in the female body is much shorter than in the male body. The average urethral length in the female body is 3-5 cm. So to put it simply, there’s just less space for the strictures to occur in women. The strictures commonly appear in the first 3-4 cm of the urethra in the female body and cause symptoms like difficulty urinating.

The common causes for urethral stricture in women include surgeries in the pelvic region or radiation therapy from cancer treatment. However, urethral strictures in women often are caused with little to no explanation of the cause. This is mainly because strictures take time to form, so the prospective cause of the stricture could have happened years ago, leading to urethral strictures years in the future.

• Urethral stricture female symptoms are also a bit different from men. The main reason for that is because women don’t have prostates, and prostate enlargement is a cause of urethral strictures in men. While men almost always start showing symptoms for their urethral strictures as the condition advances, women can often continue without showing any noticeable physical symptoms. In women, urethral strictures are sometimes diagnosed when doctors need to catheterise them.
   
• Urethral stricture in females treatment is similar to that of males, with minimally invasive surgeries being some of the only treatment options available. Medicinal treatment for this condition is not possible, and even with surgical treatment, the chances of the condition reoccurring can’t be ruled out. This is mainly because surgeries in the area are a leading cause of the condition in the first place. Nonetheless, with the help of a dedicated treatment plan complete with post-operative care and follow-up visits with your doctor, you can treat your condition.

Urethral Stricture In Men

Urethral stricture is a common condition for ageing men, which is actually one of the risk factors for this condition. Urethral stricture in men can be caused by an enlarged prostate and the conditions related to the prostate, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer. Strictures in men take time to show up, too and can be caused by pelvic injury or surgery in your pelvic region, just like in women.

In terms of the symptoms, the inability to urinate properly is one of the primary symptoms, and other symptoms include urinary infections, frequent urination, and an intermittent urine stream. Unlike women, men generally get a hint of their condition from the symptoms as the condition progresses and advances. However, since early symptoms are not commonly found, most cases are only diagnosed when the condition has gotten to an advanced stage, which requires medical attention.

Treatment for urethral strictures requires invasive procedures, which still have a chance of triggering a recurrence of the condition. This is mainly because surgeries in and around the urethra are major risk factors for both women and men in the case of urethral strictures. To save yourself from the risk of recurrence, it is crucial that you follow these three-pointers, and they apply to both men and women.

• Get your treatment done from an experienced institution like MASSH that have the experience and expertise required to handle your particular case.
• Follow your doctor's post-operative care instructions thoroughly and ensure you don’t engage in activities they ask you not to.
• Lastly, make sure you don’t miss your follow-up visits with the doctors, as the close monitoring post-surgery is how the risk of urethral strictures recurring is controlled.

Conclusion

This is a brief look into urethral stricture in women vs men. For women, even though it is not a rare condition, getting it can seriously affect your lifestyle. And for men, it is crucial to take preventive steps from an early age to make sure you are safe, at least from advanced cases. So, if you are interested in learning more about urethral strictures in men and women, check out the MASSH website. You will find details on our specialised treatment options for urethral strictures with low risks and side effects while ensuring a quick recovery.