I have a urethral stricture (see My Urethral Stricture) that has plagued me for over about 2 years now. In January, 2013, I could no longer urinate, so I had a suprapubic catheter put in.
I really would like to believe in magic, and I have an open mind regarding the mind-body connection and/or certain homeopathic treatments for certain things. Unfortunately (hint; sarcasm alert), I am too steeped in the scientific method to give anything credence which cannot be back up by evidence and/or cannot be replicated.
So when I read an article about homepathic treatments for a urethral stricture, I was a bit angry. Mainly that is because it gives false hope to those who are suffering from this debilitating medical issue, there is no evidence that any homepathic treatment for this is effective.
The article I refer to not only suggests that a stricture can be treated homepathically, but also states that surgical options will NOT work permanently. O—M—G! This is simply not true. Are there cases where a urethral stricture can recur? Of course, depending on the severity of the original problem and the treatment applied.
But there are 3 major types of surgery that can be done. The least invasive, dilation (widening without cutting) of the urethra, has an extremely low success rate and yes, will require a redos regularly, most likely. But the other two options – urethrotomy and urethroplasty, offer better rates of success.
Urethrotomy is basically cutting the scar tissue with a tiny knife at the end of a scope and widening the urethra. This has a permanent success rate of about 33%. Most folks will need a redo.
Urethroplasty (there are 3 types of this surgery) involves opening the urethra surgically in increasing levels of invasiveness, depending on the length and placement of the stricture. The success rate of this type of surgery is over 80%.
I don’t yet know what type of treatment I will receive (update as of May 26th: I had a diagnostic surgery where they scoped up and down [urethrography] – see https://livingwithacatheter.com/results-of-my-combined-antegrade-and-retrograde-urethrogram/ – to pinpoint the location and length of the stricture. Because my was small, I know I am a candidate for the end-to-end anastomosis, which is the least gruesome of the urethroplasties, mainly because it doesn’t require any tissue grafts. I’ll find out more on June 3rd.) I will , but one thing is certain. I will not rely on any homepathic remedy, at least not as my sole treatment. Like I said, I’m not against believing in homepathic treatments, but please, please, please – like they say on CSI, follow the evidence.
The article that caused me to write this is here: https://ezinearticles.com/?Urethral-Stricture-Cure-With-Homeopathy&id=7427847
Amen!
Thanks Mat!
Ken
sir in homeopathic treatment avalaible or not available
Zahid – I have heard of some people taking certain homeopathic supplements to aid in urinary function if there is a stricture. But there is no clinical evidence to support any long-term fix for a stricture. It’s a physical blockage of a tube. Not much is going to fix that except to remove the blockage or expand the tube. Both things are surgical.
I hope that helps.
Ken
BEE POLLEN is helping me with comfortable urination during the last one year. My last dilation was on 12th June 2012 . Have been taking one capsule of 500 mg BEE POLLEN every day and what a relief. Another 2 persons are also trying and they are also relieved.
V.R.SASTRY
BANGALORE
INDIA
Mail :youngman_vrs@yahoo.com
Thanks for the tip, VR! Is it taken orally?
Ken
Yes, taken orally
Thanks.
Dear, V.R. Sastry
I read your article about urethral stricture on net. I am also facing urethral stricture problem. please advice me where I can get bee pollen capsule 500mg. I live in Pakistan. I am very thankful to you. please reply when you read my mail.
Dear Umer Azam,
Are u get The Bee Pollen Capsule in Pakistan I am also suffering from this desease plz contact me if u get the bee pollen capsules
Dear Sir, i am suffering from urethra stricture and would like to try eat Bee Pollen tablets that you mentioned.
Can you tell me how to order? My email is sdinggai@gmail.com
Thanks you. Mr Stephen Dinggai here
Hi Stephen. I only mentioned the bee pollen thing because it seemed to be an example of something that probably doesn’t work, since there is no clinical evidence that it does. However, I’m also a believer in the idea that sometimes things CAN work for certain individuals even in the absence of clinical data. And if there is no other harm in trying something, especially if you don’t have access to other options, why not? HOWEVER, there are side effects and risks to taking bee pollen. Read about those here: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-78-bee%20pollen.aspx?activeingredientid=78 If you still want to order some, you can get it from Amazon.com. I just checked and they have several kinds. I hope that helps.
Did you get any discomfort in the months before the urine started to slow?
Any pain in the urethra or groin pain? I have all of this but i dont have a slow flow, I have seen a urologist who just signed me off and said it will just go, it hasnt 2 years on now.
Barry,
I did have some pain when I tried to urinate in the months leading up to the complete block. It came from the area where the stricture was – the bulbar urethra. The docs say that the pain is caused by the bladder trying to push against the obstruction. It wasn’t “bad” pain, but there nonetheless. It got to be pretty bad in the 2 or 3 weeks leading up to the initial catheter insertion though. If I were you, I’d ask for a second opinion.
Good luck!
Ken
syedz1@hotmail.com
Hello
pls email me the address or contact no of the doctor.
Thank you
Can you please contact me with any information regarding your stricture and surgery ? My son is 18 and will be requiring Uroplasty “eventually”. Thank you.
Hi Mary,
Most of the details about my stricture and the eventual surgery that fixed it are actually on this site. Here is the article I wrote after the surgery: https://livingwithacatheter.com/my-urethroplasty-is-done/https://livingwithacatheter.com/my-urethroplasty-is-done/ Then inside that post there is a link to the post explaining what the surgery was and why I needed it. Also, here is a link to the page showing all the articles tagged with the term “Urethroplasty: – https://livingwithacatheter.com/tag/urethroplasty/
Of course, I am happy to also answer any specific questions you may have as well. And for legal reasons I must remind everyone that I am not a medical professional, but simply a guy who had a urethral stricture and went through the surgery to fix it.
I hope that helps.
Ken
Hi Ken,
Which hospital you done your surgery?
Hi Stephen. Mine was done at the Audie Murphy VA Hospital in San Antonio, TX.
Ken
Please help me I face with urethra stricture from last four years ago and rbc pus cells cm in urine in large numbers please contact me on my email the flow of urine also weak please please please
Muneeb, you definitely need to see a doctor. I’m not a medical professional. But I really wish you the best of luck. The only “real” fix is surgery.
sir i am having uretral stricture problem plese advoise me i have done two time surgery
Kiran,
I’m not a doctor, so I can’t give medical advice. But I will tell you that if one of your surgeries was not urethroplasty, then you might want to look into that because urethroplasty has a MUCH higher long-term success rate (wouldn’t have to have it done again). The kind of surgery where they just put a scope into your penis and cut the stricture – called a “urethrotomy” – has a quite low success rate, so people who have those often must have several of them repeated in their lifetime. I hope that helps. Good luck!
Hi Ken.. What if you get the surgical stricture as a result of urethroplasty which is then not even well treated by optical urethrotomy?? I have gone through both. the only option doctors have is to do catherization for the rest of your life and am doing it but now planning to get some homeo meds too. My doc suggested apis melifica 30 and silicea 30 and its not bad at all as previously i felt heaviness on my kidney sides which has been improved now with use of these homeo meds. Thanks. Ali, Pakistan (theintellectual_ca9974@hotmail.com)
Dear Ken,
Recently I came to know that I’m having a extremely narrow and long urethral stricture. I’m facing issues while urination since past 1 year. The doctor suggests me to go for Urethroplasty. I am extremely scared and nervous going for a surgery.
I was happy reading online that it can be cured in homeopathy without any surgery. But, I suddenly came across your article which states that homeopathy doesn’t work. Can you please let me know whether you have tried honeopathiix treatment and what was the response?
Homeopathic*
Sunil – I went straight to my doctor, who schedule dme for urethroplasty. So no, I never tried homeopathic treatments for this. But as I wrote, there is no evidence for repairing a stricture using homeopathic methods, that I know of. If you have any data on this, I’d be happy to see that.
Good luck on whichever method you choose!
Cheers!
Ken
hi
Homeopathy is the fastest growing treatment options in the world today.
homeopathy can prevent lot surgical cases by simple medicines
stricture urithra can be treated with well selected homeo medicines.
80% patients can definately better especially pts who have undergone
urithroplasti
Sorry Mr. Surrender,
I am taking Homeopathy since last 2 Years and 6 Months but I didn’t observe any improvement.
Situation is as it was….So I am planning for BMG Urethropalsty for permanent cure.
I am with Mr. Ken, But if you have evidence please share.
Can you name the homeopathy medicines that you were using atulji
Sir I had a stricture at bulbar and went to the have cystoscopy procedure it’s better in urinaton but frequently urination and bladder sensation problem has accured
Ali. Do you mean you just had the stricture cut out via the scope – a urethrotomy? If so, then I’m not surprised things are not feeling entirely “fixed.” That procedure does not have a very high success rate. You may need to have a urethroplasty to permanently fix the problem.
Hope that helps.
Ken
Yes it was urethotomy but not much improved situation, bladder problem like no sensation of urine pressure and sometimes frequent urination, now I mate a top urologist he suggested not go with surgery iam helpless
He said NOT to go with urethroplasty? Did he say why?
Ken I have undergone urithrotomy 3 times it always reoccurred…..Having homeopathy from last 3 months no results yet….
Rudra – Most people do not see any relief from homeopathic treatment for stricture. And as you have experienced, urethrotomy is not an effective long-term fix. The only sure-fire way to repair o stricture is with urethroplasty. Is there any way you can receive that?
Yeah he said surgery have not successful rates, only 30%, he
He suggested me to long life intermittent catheter use, Iam scared
I live in Pakistan where not much surgeons…
Iam just 27 old, and I have a 2 year old son iam worried
So sorry to hear that. If he’s talking about urethroplasty, then his numbers are incorrect – at least for the global success rate, which is in the 90% and up. He might be talking about success rates locally. I just don’t have enough information. Have you tried to talk to a different doctor?
No didn’t talk any other Dr
He said your stricture is soft and do not surgery
Did you find any solution?? I’m also from Pakistan
Hi Ali. I’m not sure what you mean. Did I find a solution to what? (bad memory here :-P)
I HAVE SUFFERING URETHRA STRICTURE SINCE 20 YEAS ONCE OPERATED UTRTHRAPLASTY BUT RESULT IS SAME BEFORE I TAKING MANY HOMEAPATHY MEDICE BUT RESULT IS NOT SUCESS PLEASE ADIVESE WHAT I AM DOING EITHER AGIAIN SURGERY OR TAKE MOMEAPATHY MEDICENE FROM YOU.
Golekha,
I’m sorry to hear this. Homeopathic treatments don’t have any scientific data to support effectiveness. So I do not recommend relying on it. It is likely that it will not work. If you continue to suffer from strictures, the only reliable long-term solution is urethroplasty (NOT urethrotomy). It sounds like you should try to have the surgery again. But remember, I am NOT a doctor or nurse. Best of luck!!
Thanks for sharing such an interesting post about urethral stricture.
You’re welcome!
what an interesting post about urethral stricture although you are not doctor but it is still wonderful post
Thanks!
i heard that urethroplasty can cause erectile dysfunction. is it true ?
Risk is very low. For the most common type – in the bulbar region, NIH reports it as 1% (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23485502). There are other types of urethroplasty and different risks. but they are all low. All surgery comes with risks, of course. The ultimate question is whether the potential benefit (not having to repeat urethrotomies every few years, not having to self-cath, or (as in my case) not dealing with severe urinary retention, taking 5 minutes to pee, having to get up 4-5 times a night, dealing with the pain, etc, it is definitely worth it.
i got intermittent urethral stricture. which treatment would be best for me ?
doctor has prescribed me tablet Alfoo one tablet daily to ease the urine flow but i think it will not work for me.
Hi Nawaz. Did a doctor tell you it was “intermittent urethral stricture?” That seems a bit hard to believe. The word “stricture” means a narrowing of a tubular pathway in the body (intestine, blood vessel, urethra, etc.). That narrowing is most often caused by some physical thing (scar tissue, plaque buildup, deformity, etc.). I’m not a doctor or nurse, so I can’t say for sure. But it seems unlikely that a urethral stricture would be “intermittent.” That isn’t to say that “flow” might be variable – sometimes good, sometimes bad. But the cause of the stricture – especially in the urethra – doesn’t usually come and go.
According to the data, the most effective and potentially long-lasting “fix” for a urethral stricture is a urethroplasty. If you DO somehow have a stricture that comes and goes intermittently, you might be able to do dilation and self-catheterizing, thus avoiding a big surgery with a long recovery. Ultimately you would have to decide whether the problems caused and the hassle/pain of dilation and self-catheterizing are better or easier for you than going through the surgery once (granted with a long recovery time) and fixing it for good. You should really discuss this with a urologist. Hope that helps. Good luck, whatever you decide.
Doctor does not answer me anything but i read on my prescription the word intermittent he wrote after i explained him my symptoms. i had asked him about stricture but he did not answered me anything. he just said “NO”.
my symptoms are :
Difficulty starting urine flow
weak urine flow and reduction in the volume of urine
frequent starting and stopping urinary stream
double split in streaming urine
sometimes feeling of incomplete bladder emptying after urination
and increased frequency sometimes.
Nawaz – those symptoms could be stricture, but they could also be other things like enlarged prostate. Is it possible for you to go to another doctor to find out for sure? I was misdiagnosed with enlarged prostate for over a year before the day I could not pee AT ALL. It would have been nice to have had the diagnosis correct sooner. If you can see a different doctor, that would probably help.
Hi Ken, i met my doctor again and he told me these symptoms could be due to weak bladder and he gave me advice to go for urodynamic test. i am afraid of pain associated with this testing. will update after getting this test done.
That is actually good news, Nawaz. It’s always best to know for sure what is happening. That’s the only way to know how to treat it. Best of luck with the testing!
Hi.what will you say about new treatment of urethral stricture which has been introduced by urotronic.a optilume drug coated balloon catheter?
It sounds promising. But I don’t think there is enough data yet. But I will be looking into it.
If you are having any information about new treatment of urethral stricture called urotronic optilume dcb then share here for patients of urethral stricture.thanx
I have looked at their site and sent them some questions yesterday. They have no data yet on how long their treatment will last. It also does not appear to do anything to scar tissue that causes most strictures. It simply seems to stretch out the urethra with a balloon. They mention a medication delivery also. But what kind of medication and what it is supposed to do is not clear. Like I said, I asked them these questions and will update folks on the site about all of it once I find out more.
Hi ken . I am 29 years and I once had almost complete blockage . I had to strain before I urinate . I took anti inflammatory drugs and the urine flow return for days then it started again . I have done retrograde urethrography and cystocopy but everything shows normal . Right now I feel the sensation to urinate at the tip of my penis and I don’t get the bladder pressure . After the retrograde urothrography . My urine split and from the mid section to the tip of the penis was swollen . Right when I urinate it sometimes direct to the left side or drubbing . I squeeze the tip of the penis and ursine comes out . What is your advice
Mike – the first thing they thought was wrong with me was a swollen prostate. So it’s pretty common for this to be a mystery. Have they checked that? Otherwise, I really have no way of knowing or even guessing. My advice would be to keep going to a urologist until they find out what’s wrong. Hope that helps.
Ken. I get the urge to urinate through the sensation at the tip of my penis and I don’t know if it is normal . I got to the USA a few months ago and I am not currently on insurance so seeing a doctor now will be difficult . I am from Africa and there are so many doctors who will just take your money without any better treatment . Can you give me your thought . It is almost 11 months since this problem started
That’s a tough one, Mike. Since I’m not a doctor and my experience is limited to – well – my experience, I am not qualified to give much guidance for stuff that didn’t happen to me. Are you wearing a catheter?
If you look on its website urotronic.com where you will find a video above.they mention a drug called paclitaxel in video who reduces the chances of reccurrence of urethral stricture.
Yes, I saw that. But it does not say how. If they aren’t removing the scar tissue and just stretching the area out with a balloon, it does not seem to address the root cause. So I’ve asked them how does the drug prevents recurrence if it didn’t remove the root cause to begin with. I’ll post the answer when I get it.
Amir – I spoke with Urotronic at length today. First of all, it is still in clinical trials and so not available to the public or FDA approved yet. He said that would probably be in late 2019. I did get a solid understanding of how it works though. A balloon is inserted (uninflated, of course) into the urethra. When it reaches the stricture, it is inflated. This inflation breaks open the scar tissue causing the stricture, creating cracks and fissures in its structure. The balloon then delivers the medication, which enters those cracks/fissures and turns off the mechanism that creates scar tissue. So the scar tissue remains broken apart. The drug stays in the system for several days, much longer than the body will try to create scarring. When all is said and done, the opening created by the dilation of the balloon stays open, basically widening the stricture enough to let pee pass through much better. I’ll write a post about it soon. Thanks for the tip!
Ken,
I read that the Urotronic Optilume is already available in Canada and New Zealand.
Is this true?
If so, wouldn’t it be worth the trip?
While in US it is still under testing…..
Thanks!
Thanks for asking that. I just submitted that question to Urotronic. I will let you know what they tell me.
Hi Ken,
Thanks a ton for shedding light on your experience with urethroplasty and it motivate me too to get it done. I am too suffering with short segment bluber stricture. underwent DIVU two times with no relief. Do you think it’s worth give a try for Optilume treatment considering it is minimally invasive. I know the study show 70% success up to 2 year and uncertainty after that and further trials are in progress.By the way, did you get further clarity from Urotronics. My question same what Mass trying to know “is it worth to make trip to either NZ or Canada”.