Clinical Features - Urethra disorders
- Blockage / Stricture of the Urethra may be caused by:
- Enlargement of the prostate
- Stricture of the urethra
The commonest cause of stricture now is catheterisation causing infection and scar formation. Stricture also follows inadequate treatment of some infections (e.g. gonorrhoea) or previous injury to the urethra during a medical procedure such as cystoscopy. The resultant scar tissue is likely to cause narrowing of the urethra and block the flow of urine.
- Infection of the Urethra (Urethritis)
Urethritis (infection of the urethra) is caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses. However, the overwhelming majority of organisms causing infection of the urinary tract are coliforms (E Coli) from the person’s own bowel.
Women are more commonly affected than men as the female urethra is much shorter and infection can be facilitated by previous urinary tract infections, sexual intercourse, vaginal atrophy and procedures such as catheterisation etc.
Sexually transmitted organisms such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and herpes simplex virus can cause urethritis. A type of parasite (trichomonas) causes urethritis in men. Urethritis can progress to infection of the bladder and then multiplication of organisms within the bladder (cystitis).
- Trauma
Trauma to the urethra can occur from accidental injury such as fracture of the pelvis, for example, falling astride something or as a complication of a procedure such as catheterisation or insertion of an instrument into the bladder such as a cystoscope. The urethra, if torn, would need to be repaired surgically.
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Amended June 2008
