12. Urethral Stricture
Urethral strictures are a frequent complication of untreated UTIs. A urethral stricture is a condition in which a segment of the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, becomes narrower, making it difficult to urinate.
Urethral strictures affect men more often than women because of the extended length of the male urethra. However, female patients are not immune to them. A urethral stricture develops as a result of the repeated healing and fibrosis processes of the urethral mucosa and surrounding tissues.
Besides untreated and recurring urinary tract infection, other risk factors for developing a urethral strictures include traumatic, inflammatory events such as falls and pelvic fractures, medical negligence during a surgical intervention, etc.
Further complications of having a urethral stricture include urinary retention, higher risk for developing urinary calculi, higher risk of recurring UTIs, and urethral fistulas.
