Urethral Disorders

Summary

The urethra is the tube that allows urine to pass out of the body. In men, it’s a long tube that runs through the penis. It also carries semen in men. In women, it’s short and is just above the vagina. Urethral problems may happen due to aging, illness, or injury. They include:

• Urethral cancer – a rare cancer that happens more often in men
• Urethral stricture – a narrowing of the opening of the urethra
• Urethritis – inflammation of the urethra, sometimes caused by infection

Urethral problems may cause pain or difficulty passing urine. You may also have bleeding or discharge from the urethra.

Doctors diagnose urethral problems using different tests. These include urine tests, x-rays and an examination of the urethra with a scope called a cystoscope. Treatment depends on the cause of the problem. It may include medicines and, in severe cases, surgery.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Children

• Blocked Urethral Valves American Academy of Pediatrics
• Hydronephrosis in Newborns National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
• Pediatric VCUG (Voiding Cystourethrogram) Radiological Society of North America

Patient Handouts

• Chlamydial infections – male Medical Encyclopedia
• Epispadias Medical Encyclopedia
• Meatal stenosis Medical Encyclopedia
• Self catheterization – female Medical Encyclopedia
• Self catheterization – male Medical Encyclopedia
• Traumatic injury of the bladder and urethra Medical Encyclopedia
• Urethral discharge culture Medical Encyclopedia
• Urethral stricture Medical Encyclopedia
• Urethritis Medical Encyclopedia
• Urinary Retention National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Urethral Diseases National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Urethral Neoplasms National Institutes of Health

Genetics

• Congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Diagnosis and Tests

• Cystoscopy and Ureteroscopy National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Imaging of the Urinary Tract National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Stages of Urethral Cancer National Cancer Institute

Start Here

• General Information about Urethral Cancer National Cancer Institute
• Urinary Tract and How It Works National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Encyclopedia

• Indwelling catheter care Medical Encyclopedia
• Urinary catheters Medical Encyclopedia

Reference Desk

• Kidneys and Urinary Tract (For Parents) Nemours Foundation

Find an Expert

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Journal Articles

• Urethral Disorders

Treatments and Therapies

• Treatment Option Overview (Urethral Cancer) National Cancer Institute

Specifics

• Urethral Injuries Merck & Co., Inc.
• Urethral Stricture Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Urethritis Merck & Co., Inc.

Related Issues

• Urinary Retention National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases