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Meatal Stenosis
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Meatal stenosis is a narrowing of the meatus, or the hole where the urine leaves the urethra. The urethra is the narrow tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. In males, the urethra ends at the tip of the penis.
What is going on in the body?
When the meatus is constantly irritated, excess tissue growth may narrow the opening. As the opening becomes narrow, the flow of urine becomes restricted. The condition is seen mostly in young circumcised boys but sometimes occurs in adult men. A child may be born with meatal stenosis, especially if there are other abnormalities of the genitals.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Causes of meatal stenosis include:
In adult men, the condition can be caused by trauma sexually transmitted diseases.