Urethral stricture can cause infertility

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Vo Thien Ngon - Urologist, Department of General Surgery, Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.
Urethral stricture in men is not a common disease, if not given proper attention and active treatment, the long-term progression of urethral stricture will not only cause urinary dysfunction but also lead to death. urinary tract obstruction, kidney failure or increased risk of infertility.

1. What is urethral stricture in men?

The urethra is an organ of the excretory system. After the blood is filtered through the kidneys, the urine formed will be led through the two ureters, stored in the bladder before being expelled through the urethra. The female urethra is very short, just coming out of the bladder to the urinary opening, so it is very difficult to be injured. The male urethra is longer because it runs an extra segment below the perineum and penis, it is not a round tube all the way through, but there are narrow places, wide places and also more vulnerable.
Urethral stricture is a condition in which the urethral lumen is narrowed due to inflammation, fibrosis or any other reason. Due to differences in anatomical structure, this pathology occurs more often in men than in women and can occur at any age. At that time, patients often see weak urine flow or double flow. If the urethral stricture is severe, urine flow may be completely blocked.

2. What are the causes of urethral stricture in men?

The most common causes of urethral stricture are external trauma, for example, after trauma to the perineum from a horse-riding side split and falling onto a hard object such as a chassis. bicycles, monkey bridges, ... as well as after major trauma to the pelvis due to traffic accidents, labor accidents. These injuries may or may not be associated with pelvic fractures, but are often contusion, rupture, and tear of the urethra and blood vessels. Therefore, after a period of time, the segment of the urethra that is not supplied with blood will become fibrosis and gradually narrow with the degree of urinary obstruction depending on the speed of its narrowing.
Injury to the urethra can be from internal sources such as after prostate surgery, procedures involving the urethra (urinary catheters, cystoscopy) or by inserting hard objects yourself. , sharp stick into the urinary tract (common in young children or mentally ill people).
In addition, urethral stricture in men is also the result of recurrent urinary tract infections, including sexually transmitted agents, infections or prostatitis , cancer of the urinary tract and congenital malformations of the urethra.

3. Can urethral stricture cause infertility?

Because it is not only involved in the urinary system, the urethra is also an important part of the male reproductive system. Accordingly, in addition to the main task of being the tube that carries urine to the outside of the body, the urethra also plays a role in ejaculating in men and achieving pleasure during sex. In healthy men, the urethra is wide enough for urine to flow freely from the bladder and ejaculate into the female genitalia. Therefore, urethral stricture after trauma, inflammation or infection not only obstructs the flow of urine but also more or less affects ejaculation in men. Insufficient sperm count as well as ejaculatory force into the acidic environment of the vagina to reach the cervix will reduce the ability to conceive and have children.
Therefore, men need to understand the dangers of urethral stricture and actively build a sense of prevention. Always follow and ensure safety measures in work, traffic or participating in traumatic sports. Besides, it is also necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle, have regular health check-ups for timely detection and proper treatment to protect your own health as well as the happiness of your family.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.