The urinary system has several components working together for successful elimination of waste from the body. The ureters are ducts that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder, and the urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder then out of the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, males have a longer urethra than females, which often makes them more susceptible to abnormalities. However, female urethral malformations and complications are as likely and problematic. In either gender, congenital conditions can occur as cause as well as external factors such as surgery, sexually transmitted diseases or various medical conditions. Symptoms of urethra problems cause pain and usually warrant physician evaluation for proper treatment.
Hypospadias
The University of California Department of Urology explains that hypospadias is a congenital condition characterized by urethral abnormality. Essentially, the urethra tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body is placed in the wrong spot. In men, the urethral opening, called the meatus, is not at the normal location at the tip of the glans penis. The meatus is misplaced on the underside of the penis and in severe cases is near the scrotul junction. In females, hypospadias is rare, according to the "Western Journal of Medicine", and the meatus is not above the vaginal opening as in normal case, rather it opens into the vagina or is absent altogether. Hypospadias correction involves incision or reconstructive surgery in moderate to severe cases because of functional impairment in the urinary system.
Stricture
Urethral stricture is scarring of the urethra due to infection or injury. "Pediatric Radiology" notes this is rarely a congenital condition in males; however, when present, it is a failure of development in the urethra canal during fetal growth. Stricture is obstruction in some portion of the urethral tube, which causes inflammation, scarring and frequent urination. The Mayo Clinic explains that acquired stricture occurs from external injury to the pelvis, contraction of sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea or from long-term use of a catheter. In some cases, a condition termed vesicoureteral reflux occurs, which blocks urine from excretion out of the body and causes urine to go back into the ureter. This can lead to serious infection of the kidneys. In the event of stricture abnormality, medical treatment includes surgery or stent placement to keep the urethra open.
Urethral Growths and Valves
According to "Pediatric Radiology" males can develop congenital posterior urethral valves, or PUV, during fetal development. Urethral valves are tissues connected to smooth muscle that fold in the urethra abnormally and cause weak urinary stream or hesitancy. Surgical intervention is needed to correct this problem to prevent bladder malfunction, renal insufficiency and tract damage. Females experience urethral neoplasms referred to as polyps, papilloma and carbuncles. These growths are located in the upper portion of the urethra and, depending on type lead to inflammation, sensitivity and painful urination. The "Western Journal of Medicine" indicates that depending on severity of symptoms, these growths can require surgical removal.
