Meatal Stenosis
Alternate Names : Urethral Meatal Stenosis
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:
balanitis xerotica obliterans, a condition that causes a discoloration and dryness of the glans of the penis
irritation of the meatus from persistent exposure to urine
irritation of the penis from the diaper rubbing against the meatal opening
other abnormalities of the penis and urethra, such as hypospadias
prolonged use of a urinary catheter, which is a tube put into the urethra to drain urine
trauma to the penis or meatus
In adult men, the condition can be caused by trauma sexually transmitted diseases.
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