What Is Meatal Stenosis?
Meatal stenosis is the name given to the condition where the opening at the tip of the penis becomes narrower. It’s possible to be born with this condition, or it may develop later. It usually occurs in males who are circumcised and often develops between the ages of 3 and 7.
What Causes Meatal Stenosis?
Circumcision is the most common reason why meatal stenosis occurs. It is very rare for uncircumcised males to develop the condition.
Other possible causes can include:
- Swelling or damage to meatus as the baby’s penis rubs against a diaper or own skin after circumcision
- High levels of crystals of uric acid and ammonia are present in the diaper
- Long-term use of tubes used to drain urine
- Procedures or surgeries that require the insertion of instruments into the urethra
How Do I Know If I Have Meatal Stenosis?
If your urine flow has been partly blocked, you will likely experience symptoms associated with meatal stenosis.
The symptoms of meatal stenosis are:
- Poor aim while peeing
- Difficulties emptying your bladder
- Burning while peeing
- Sudden urges to pee
- Increased frequency in peeing
- A small, narrow, very fast urinary stream
- A drop of blood at the tip of the penis after urinating
Do You Have To Fix Meatal Stenosis?
If the direction of your urine stream is difficult to control or there is a lot of spraying, you should seek treatment from your healthcare provider. If left untreated, you can develop urinary tract infections and kidney problems. Make an appointment to see your health care provider at Urology of Greater Atlanta if you are experiencing symptoms from the previous subheading.
How Do You Fix Meatal Stenosis?
There are non-surgical and surgical methods to treat meatal stenosis.
Non-surgical methods include using a steroid cream that can be applied to the meatus area.
Usually, outpatient surgery called meatotomy is the best solution. During the procedure, the meatus is cut open where it is stuck so that the opening is made bigger. It is then stitched shut to aid healing. The procedure has very high success rates, and it’s unlikely that the meatal stenosis will come back.
Another treatment option that some use is to stretch the opening of the meatus wider. This is not recommended though, as resulting scar tissue can often make the opening narrower.
Our Team Of Urologists Can Help
If you or your child have difficulties urinating because of a narrowing at the opening of the penis, the team at Urology of Greater Atlanta can help.
Apart from meatal stenosis, our doctors also correct the following concerns:
- A buried penis where there was too much or too little foreskin removed
- A thickening of the foreskin (skin bridge)
- A curved penis or chordee of the head of the penis (in an upward or downward position)
Call our office or book online to speak with our urologists. Our urologist team offers expert patient care and operates out of seven offices and a surgical center to serve the needs of all Northern Georgia residents, including Sandy Springs, GA.
